American Life Building: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:Stonewall Building.jpg|right|thumb|375px|The Stonewall Building from the southwest. Photographed October 2006]]
[[Image:Stonewall Building.jpg|right|thumb|375px|The American Life Building from the southwest. Photographed October 2006]]
The '''Stonewall Building''' is a 12-story, 84,000 square-foot office building on the northeast corner of [[23rd Street North|23rd Street]] and [[4th Avenue North]].
The '''American Life Building''', also known as the '''Stonewall Building''', is a 12-story, 84,000 square-foot apartment building on the northeast corner of [[23rd Street North|23rd Street]] and [[4th Avenue North]]. Its entrance is located at 2308 4th Avenue North.


It was completed, as the '''Martin Office Building''', in April, [[1925]], just in time to house the [[Birmingham City Commission]] and other departments after the destruction of the former [[Birmingham City Hall]] by fire. The architectural firm of [[George P. Turner|Turner & McPherson]] had offices on the 12th floor.
Originally an office tower, the building was constructed as the '''Doctors Building''' or '''Martin Office Building'''. It opened in April [[1925]], just in time to house the [[Birmingham City Commission]] and other departments after the destruction of the former [[Birmingham City Hall (1901)|Birmingham City Hall]] by [[1925 City Hall fire|fire]]. The architectural firm of [[George P. Turner|Turner & McPherson]] had offices on the 12th floor.


In March [[1947]] the [[FBI Birmingham Division]] moved into the Martin Building, where it remained until moving to the [[2121 Building]] in December [[1962]].
The property was sold in [[1946]]. In March [[1947]] the [[FBI Birmingham Division]] moved into the Martin Building, where it remained until moving to the [[2121 Building]] in December [[1962]].


The building became the headquarters of [[American Life Insurance]], and was known as the '''American Life Building'''. Later it housed the [[Stonewall Insurance Company]]. It is currently vacant.  In [[2004]] [[Operation New Birmingham]] put it on their [[12 Most Wanted]] list of downtown buildings in need of renovation.
The building became the headquarters of the newly-formed [[American Life Insurance Company]], and became known as the "American Life Building". Later, American Life acquired the [[Stonewall Insurance Company]] of Mobile and moved its headquarters to Birmingham in [[1967]]. It remained the lead tenant of the renamed "Stonewall Building" until [[1979]], after which the offices and retail spaces were gradually vacated. The building's owner declared bankruptcy in [[1983]] and the property went into trusteeship.


A 2004 plan to convert the building into 48 condominiums for $4 million was never accomplished. The building is currently owned by brothers [[Leo Ticheli|Leo]] and [[Ed Ticheli]] who in [[2008]] planned to convert it into 71 apartments. The schedule for redevelopment for the Stonewall Building is dependent on the housing market and would follow the completion of the [[Massey Building]] and [[Jackson Hotel]] (former home of the [[Jimmie Hale Mission]]) properties, which the Tichelis also own. The project was expected to cost about $10 million, and stalled out during the [[Great Recession|economic downturn]] of [[2008]]-[[2009|09]].  
The structure found a use as a document storage facility until about [[2000]]. In [[2004]] [[Operation New Birmingham]] put it on their [[12 Most Wanted]] list of downtown buildings in need of renovation.
 
A 2004 plan to convert the building into 48 condominiums for $4 million was never accomplished, though a project to remove asbestos from the structure was completed in [[2006]]. The building is currently owned by brothers [[Leo Ticheli|Leo]] and [[Ed Ticheli]] who in [[2008]] planned to convert it into 71 apartments. The schedule for the project was dependent on the housing market and completion of the Tichelis' redevelopment of the [[Massey Building]] and [[Jackson Hotel]] (former home of the [[Jimmie Hale Mission]]) properties, which they also owned. The American Life project was expected to cost about $10 million, when it stalled out during the [[Great Recession|economic downturn]] of [[2008]]-[[2009]].
 
In [[2013]] another proposal, from Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Dominium, projected a $10 million renovation to provide 65-70 "artist" apartments in the building.
 
In [[2018]] Ed Ticheli renewed his redevelopment proposal for the building, planning 137 affordable "workforce" apartments, ranging from $600 to $900 per month for rent. Five units were made availble for use by the [[Dannon Project]]. The proposal was awarded a $182,182 tax credit under Alabama's [[Historic Preservation Tax Credit]] program, with an additional $2.9 million request awarded in [[2019]]. The [[Birmingham City Council]] approved $421,585.99 in economic develpment incentives for the project. [[LMS Real Estate]] is managing the property.
 
The $23.4 million project was financed by [[PNC Bank]], mainly through a wholly-owned investment fund targeting projects in [[Opportunity Zones]]. [[Hendon & Huckestein]] prepared the architectural design for the renovation, which was carried out by [[Wyatt General Contractor]].
 
A 1.5" gas line was ruptured and ignited during construction on [[September 20]], [[2019]].
 
The apartment complex opened in late [[2020]] as the [[Lofts at American Life]].


==Tenants==
==Tenants==
* [[American Life Insurance]]
===Ground floor===
* [[Birmingham City Commission]]
* 2300-2302: [[IBM|International Business Machine Corp.]] (1934)
** 2300: [[Household Appliance Co.]] (1926), [[Rogers Electric Co.]] (1930-1932)
** 2302: [[Brooks-Porter Realty Co.]] (1926), [[B. & O. Building Products Co.]] (1928). [[Woodstock Typewriter Co.]] / [[Victor Adding Machine Co.]]  (1930-1932), [[Allen-Wales Corp.]] adding machines (1932)
* 2304: [[Western Union Telegraph Co.]] (1928-1934)
* 2306: [[Massey Shade & Drapery Co.]] (1926-1928), [[Addressograph Sales Agency]] (1930-1934), [[Multigraph Sales Agency]] (1934)
* 2308: Entrance and [[Martin Building Cigar Co.]] (1928), [[W. G. Patterson]] cigars (1930), [[W. R. Arnold Cigar Co.]] (1932), [[Hoover Co.]] vacuum cleaners (1934)
===Rooms===
{|-
| valign="top" |
* 202, 230: [[Walter Ward]] physician (1926-1934)
* 205: [[M. A. Martin]] (1928), [[Provident Insurance Co.]] / [[J. E. Ramsey & Co.]] (1930), [[Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Co.]] (1934)
* 208: [[Crescent Sales Agency]] (1928-1934), [[Glen Allen Sand Co.]] (1930-1932)
* 211-212: [[Chamberlain Metal Weatherstrip Co.]] (1928), [[Lewis B. Turner]] tobacco (1930)
* 213: [[Crumpton Realty Co.]] (1926), [[Birmingham Furniture Dealers Association]] (1930)
* 214-224: [[VanDerVeer Co.]] (1928)
** 214-220: [[Smith-McCary & Thorp]] (1926), [[Cadden Advertising Agency]] (1930-1934), [[Automatic Sprinkler Corp. of America]] (1934)
** 214: [[Mutual Investment Corp.]] (1926)
* 221-247: [[A & P|Great A & P Tea Co.]] manager's office (1934)
** 221-229: [[Hoover Co.]] vacuum cleaners (1930-1932)
** 230-247: [[American Security Life Insurance Co.]] (1930)
** 230: [[Smith-Harrison Realty Co.]] (1928)
** 234-238: [[Southern Conservatory of Music]] (1928)
** 235: [[E. D. Hixon]] (1926)
** 241: [[L. K. Clapper]] / [[A. E. Wroth]] / [[J. D. Pope]] (1928)
** 247: [[Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen]] / [[Union Hospital Association]] (1926), [[The Frederick Co.]] (1928), [[J. T. Sudduth & Co.]] / [[L. W. Tower]] manufacturer's agents (1932)
* 301-302: [[William A. Burns]] physician (1932-1934)
** 301: [[Alabama Adjustment Bureau]] (1926), [[Mason Bros Realty Co.]] (1928), [[James A. Taylor (contractor)|James A. Taylor]] contractor (1930)
* 305: [[William A. Burns]] physician (1930)
* 308: building superintendent (1926), [[Firestone Toilet Co.]] (1928), [[Edgar Stanford]] / [[Chester Winn]] architects (1930), [[Albert Lattimore]] tobacco (1932-1934) / [[Brown Williamson Tobacco Corp.]] (1934)
* 311-312: [[Forsyth & Northcutt]] (1926), [[Lucius Walden]] attorney (1930)
* 312-321: [[Alabama Dairy & Food Council]] (1932)
** 312: [[Cotton States Life Insurance Co.]] (1928)
** 313: [[Malone-Zimmerman Realty Co.]] (1928)
** 316: [[Jefferson County Highway Department]] (1926), [[Alabama Dairy & Food Council]] (1930)
* 324: [[Jefferson County Farm Demonstration Agent]] / [[Jefferson County Home Demonstration Agent]] (1928-1930)
* 329: [[Capitol School of Music]] (1928-1932)
* 330: [[W. & H. Walker Inc.]] (1926), [[Todd Sales Co.]] check protectors (1930)
* 335: [[Cotton State Life Insurance Co.]] (1926), [[Conservative Life Insurance Co.]] (1928-1930), [[Welcome Wagon Service Inc.]] / [[York Ice Machinery Corp.]] / [[American & Venetian Marble Co.]] (1930), [[Morgan Hill Paving Co.]] (1932), [[Standard Contracting Co.]] / [[Central Insurance Agency]] (1934)
* 338: [[G. H. Davis & Co.]] bagging (1930)
* 341-326: [[Smith-Hartley Realty Co.]] (1926)
** 341-342: [[S. R. Hartley]] (1926)
** 341: [[G. W. Favors]] (1926), [[W. C. Sorrell]] / [[S. R. Hartley]] (1928), [[John Metcalfe]] accountant (1930), [[J. A. Metcalfe & Co.]] accountants (1932)
* 344: [[Woman's Home Companion Reading Club]] (1928-1930), [[Bar-Trex Manufacturing Co.]] machinery / [[J. Lundle Sloss]] sand / [[Associated Engineers]] machinery (1932)
* 347: [[American Snuff Co.]] (1928)
* 401-402: [[Edgar Davis]] physician / [[James Gravlee]] dentist (1928-1934) / [[LeVert Gravlee]] dentist (1934)
** 401: [[E. G. Holliday Co.]] (1926)
* 402-408: [[William L. White Business College]] (1926)
** 405: [[Nixon-Hasselle Co.]] (1928), [[American Snuff Co.]] (1930)
** 408: [[Adamson-Boyston & White]] (1928), [[Harry Mouat]] manufacturer's agent (1932)
* 411-433: [[National Cement Co.]] / [[Georgia Cement & Products Co.]] (1932-1934)
** 411: [[John Metcalfe]] accountant (1928),
** 412-413: [[Typewriter Exchange]] (1926)
*** 412: [[Samuel Henderson]] / [[T. J. Roe]] (1928), [[Alabama Sand & Gravel Co.]] (1930)
*** 413: [[Birmingham Real Estate & Development Co.]] (1928), [[Plumbers & Steamfitters Local No. 91]] (1930)
** 415: [[General Roofing Co.]] (1926)
** 416-422: [[Addressograph]] sales office (1928)
** 424: [[Lewis Kato]] attorney (1930)
** 429: [[Jessie Speer]] artist (1930)
** 430: [[Riderwood Land Co.]] (1928), [[Interstate Development Co.]] (1930)
* 435: [[Hoover Co.]] (1928), [[American Snuff Co.]] / [[York Ice Machinery Co.]] (1932)
* 438, 441-447: [[American National Insurance Co.]] (1928)
** 444: [[American Copper Products]] (1932)
** 447: [[Dearbon Chemical Co.]] (1926), [[H. D. Beyer]] (1928), [[C. A. Dunham & Co.]] heating equipment (1932)
* 501-502: [[Independent Life Insurance Co.]] (1932)
* 508: [[Martin-Senour Co.]] paint manufacturers (1932)
* 510: [[Marion Steam Shover Co.]] (1928)
* 511: [[Sterling-McDavid Realty Co.]] (1928), [[William Bain]] (1930), [[Metric Metal Works]] / [[American Meter Co.]] (1932-1934)
* 512: [[Joseph Ringer|Joseph G. Ringer]] architect (1928-1930)
* 513-516: [[C. G. Kershaw Contracting Co.]] (1932-1934), [[Kershaw Mining Co.]] (1934)
** 513: [[Floyd Electric Co.]] (1928)
** 516: [[J. B. Grant]] / [[L. W. Mann]] (1928)
* 521-524: [[Jefferson County Sanitary Engineering]] (1930)
** 524: [[Barnes Lock & Sash Holder Agency]] / [[Crawford Distributing Co.]] (1928)
* 530: [[Washington Fidelity National Insurance Co.]] (1928), [[John Risdon]] attorney (1930), [[Ernest Stuart]] attorney / [[Public Realty Co.]]  (1930-1932)
* 535: [[Queen Vinegar & Pickle Co.]] (1928), [[Newell Contracting Co.]] (1928-1930), [[Independent Life Insurance Co.]] (1934)
* 538-544: [[American Mutual Liability Insurance Co.]] (1930-1932)
** 538: [[Harbert Engineering Co.]] (1928)
** 544: [[J. H. Arnold & Co.]] (1928)
* 547: [[Automobile Insurance Co.]] (1928), [[Southern Development Engineers Inc.]] / [[Trane Co.]] heating equipment (1930), [[Murrill Suarez]] power plant equipment (1932-1934)
* 601: [[White & Coleman]] (1926-1928), [[Rolf Julsrud]] engineer (1930), [[Bullock Bros Co.]] machinery (1932)
* 602: [[R. L. Polk & Co.]] publishers (1928-1932)
* 605: [[P. L. Longshore]] / [[H. A. McKinnon]] physicians (1926), [[P. J. Longshore]] (1928), [[F. B. Wilhite]] (1928-1930), [[Lewis Cato]] / [[Hubert Olin Jr]] attorneys (1932)
* 611-630: [[Andrew Stabler]] / [[L. V. Stabler]] physicians (1928), [[Andrew Stabler]] physician (1930-1934)
** 611-629: [[Andrew Stabler]] physician (1926)
** 611: [[J. V. Mix]] (1926)
* 631-635: [[William Sellers]] / [[William Lavender]] physicians (1934)
* 635-639: [[T. H. Payne]] / [[J. V. Mix]] physicians (1928)
** 635: [[Pilot Life Insurance Co.]] / [[Elkin Carter]] / [[Bradford Wood]] (1932)
** 638: [[Good Health Treatment Rooms]] (1930)
* 641-643: [[Paramount Coal Co.]] (1930-1934)
** 641: [[Anti-Phymin Service Station]] (1926), [[C. H. Paul]] (1928)
** 644: [[Edgar Lightcap]] dentist (1930), [[Howard Bowdry]] contractor (1932-1934)
* 647: [[Wilhite-Karrh Realty Co.]] (1926), [[Dearborn Chemical Co.]] (1928-1930), [[Harnischfeger Sales Corp.]] machinery (1932)
* 701-705: [[Van Camp Products Co.]] (1930)
** 701-702: [[A & P|Great A & P Tea Co.]] offices (1934)
** 701: [[Van Camp Products Co.]] / Mrs [[W. M. Tyson]] / [[Floyd Electric Co.]] (1926), [[Investors Realty Co.]] (1928), [[Millsap & Partner]] contractors (1932)
** 705: [[Newell Contracting Co.]] (1932)
* 708: [[Physicians Clinical Laboratory]] (1930), [[Weller & Co.]] iron & steel (1932-1934)
* 711: [[Thompson Sales Co.]] (1928)
* 712: [[Riceland Realty Co.]] (1926), [[John Lauricella]] (1928), [[Do-More Seating Service]] (1930)
* 713-721: [[Liggett & Myers Tobacco Co.]] (1926)
** 713: [[Shine-All Sales Co. of Alabama]] (1930)
** 716-721: [[Liggett & Myers Tobacco Co.]] (1928-1930)
* 724: [[Rubee Pearse]] landscape architect / [[George Baskerville]] manufacturers' agent (1930)
* 725: [[Liberty Life Assurance Society]] / [[Automobile Oiler Co.]] (1926)
* 729: [[Alabama Cash Credit Corp.]] loans (1930)
* 730: [[L. B. Cooper Realty Co.]] (1926), [[Southern Land Development Co.]] (1928), [[Alabama Water Service Co.]] (1932-1934), [[Southern Engineering Co.]] (1934)
* 735: [[United Palestine Appeal]] (1930)
* 738: [[Harnischfeger Sales Corp.]] machinery (1930), [[Natural Gas Engineering Corp.]] (1932)
* 741: [[Howard Bowdry]] contractor (1930)
* 744: [[Burroughs Adding Machine Co.]] (1926-1928), [[David Sallerwhite]] attorney (1930-1932)
* 747: [[The C & D Co.]] clothes (1930), [[Fred Wilhite]] (1932)
* 801-802: [[Southern Oil Stores Inc.]] (1932-1934)
** 802: [[Alabama Lime & Stone Corp]] (1926), [Lewis Building Co.]] (1928), [[E. G. Holladay Co.]] contractors (1928-1930)
* 805: [[Flintkote Co.]] (1926), [[G. H. Davis & Co.]] (1928), [[Associated General Contractors]] (1930)
* 808: [[Holcomb & Hoke Manufacturing Co.]] (1926), [[University Metal Manufacturing Co.]] (1928), [[James Burks]] manufacturers' agent (1930-1932), [[J. T. Sudduth & Co.]] manufacturer's agent / [[C. A. Dunham & Co.]] heating equipment (1934)
* 811-813: [[W. F. Jackson Co.]] surveyors (1930)
** 811: ''[[Dixie Contractor]]'' construction reports / [[W. F. Jackson Co.]] surveyors (1928), store room (1932-1934)
** 812: [[Loyal Order of Moose Birmingham Lodge No. 447]] (1932)
| valign="top" |
* 813-820: [[W. F. Jackson Co.]] surveyors (1932)
* 821: ''[[Dixie Contractor]]'' construction reports (1930-1932)
* 824: [[The Reeves Bros Co.]] (1926), [[Wright Jackson]] surveyor (1934)
* 829-830: [[The Southern G. F. Co.]] fireproofing material (1932)
** 829: [[W. H. Neville]] manufacturer's agent / [[Armstrong Cork & Insulation Co.]] (1928-1930)
** 830: [[The Southern G. F. Co.]] fireproofing material (1928-1930), [[Whiting Corp.]] manufacturer's agents (1934)
* 833-837: [[Alabama Clay Products Co.]] (1926)
** 835: [[Alabama Clay Product Co.]] (1928-1934)
* 838: [[Birmingham Sub-Contractors Association]] (1928), [[Enochs Lumber Manufacturing Co.]] (1930)
* 841: [[J. C. Colt Co.]] ./ [[H. G. Mouat]] (1928)
* 844-847: [[Alabama By-Products Corp.]] (1926)
** 844: [[Mill &  Mine Construction Co.]] (1928-1934)
** 847: [[Enochs Lumber Manufacturing Co.]] (1928), [[Lester Overstreet]] manufacturer's agent (1930), [[Alabama Sand & Gravel Co.]] (1932), [[Abbott Blair]] contractor (1934)
* 901: [[Modern Woodmen of America]] (1926), [[Charles Koops]] / [[C. O. Stover]] / [[C. W. Stover]] (1928), [[Standard Lime Co.]] (1930)
* 902-905: [[Standard Power Equipment Co.]] (1926)
** 902: [[Lamar Life Insurance Co.]] (1932)
** 902-904: [[Standard Power Equipment Co.]] (1928-1930)
** 905-908: [[Corporations Auxiliary Co.]] engineers (1930)
** 905: [[S. C. Taylor]] (1928), [[Encyclopaedia Brittanica]] publishers (1934)
* 908: [[F. A. Robertson]] / [[Square D Co.]] (1928), [[Rubee Pearse]] landscape architect  / [[H. J. Tulia Co.]] contractors (1932), [[Joseph Eshelman]] / [[Kenneth Lord]] manufacturer's agents (1934)
* 911: [[H. C. Allen]] (1926), [[James Van Buskirk]] manufacturer's agent (1930), [[Julian Kendrick]] engineer (1932-1934)
* 912-913: [[The C. & D. Co.]] clothes (1928), [[Alabama State Service Commissioner]] (1930)
** 912: [[Baker Lumber Co.]] (1932-1934)
* 913: [[Automobile Insurance Co.]] / [[Standard Tire Insurance Co.]] (1932), [[Alabama State Highway Department]] (1934)
* 916: [[E. T. Baird]] (1926), [[Alabama State Highway Department]] (1928-1932)
* 924: [[Alabama Advertising Agency]] (1928), [[Jesse Harper]] physician (1930), [[Alabama Service Commission]] (1932)
* 930-935: [[Cecil Gaston]] physician (1930)
* 930: [[Cecil Gaston]] / [[A. E. Town]] physicians (1928), [[Thomas K. Lewis]] physician (1932-1934)
* 938: [[U.S. Army Birmingham District Ordnance Depot]] (1926-1928), [[Tofey Smaha]] physician (1932)
* 941-947: [[Johnson Overton & Co.]] insurance agents (1930)
** 941: [[American Snuff Co.]] (1926)
** 944-947: [[D. D. Thomas & Son]] (1926)
** 944: [[S. L. Johnson & Co.]] (1928)
* 1001: [[Koehring Co.]] (1926), [[Jones & Burks]] (1928), [[Alabama Bookkeeping Service]] / [[Herman Beyers]] accountant (1930), [[Tire Equipment Sales Co.]] (1932)
* 1002-1005: [[Andrew Cameron]] physician (1930)
** 1002: [[The Corporation Auxiliary Co.]] / [[H. K. Long]] (1928)
** 1005: [[Tippins Realty Co.]] (1926), [[Alabama Pathological Laboratory]] (1928)
* 1008-1009: [[E. V. Sanders Lumber Co.]] (1926)
** 1008: [[H. C. Cobb]] (1928), [[Worthington Pump & Machinery Co.]] (1932), [[Timken Roller Bearing Co.]] (1932-1934), ''[[Dixie Contractor]]'' construction reports (1934)
* 1011-1028: [[Andrew Cameron]] physician (1928), [[Lester & Solomon]] physicians (1928-1930), [[Claude Ford]] physician (1930)
** 1011-1024: [[B. S. Lester]] physician (1926)
** 1016: [[Cheney Lime & Cement Co.]] (1934)
* 1030: [[Associated General Contractors]] (1928), [[Gordon Goodall]] dentist (1930-1934)
* 1032-1035: [[J. D. Sherrill]] physician (1928-1930)
* 1041: [[J. W. McQueen (physician)|J. W. McQueen]] physician (1928), [[Russell Miller Mining Co.]] (1934)
* 1044-1047: [[William Geddes]] physician (1930), [[Joseph McQueen]] physician (1932-1934)
** 1044: [[Joseph McQueen]] physician (1930)
** 1046: [[Joseph McQueen]] physician (1928)
** 1047: [[R. L. Polk & Co.]] (1926), [[Edward Slater]] architect (1928)
* 1101-1105: [[Truscon Steel Co.]] (1932-1934)
** 1101: [[Individual Container Co.]] (1928), [[Power Plant Equipment Co.]] (1930)
** 1102: [[W. A. Weaver]] attorney (1928), [[Theodore Lamar]] attorney (1928-1930), [[Holmes Long]] attorney (1930)
** 1105: [[Peerless Grate Bar Co.]] (1928), [[Harbert-Cargile Construction Co.]] (1930)
* 1108: [[Stephens-Adamson Manufacturing Co.]] machinery (1928-1930), [[Liberty Mutual Life Insurance Co.]] (1932-1934)
* 1111-1113: [[Spang Chalfant & Co.]] iron pipe (1930), [[Aluminum Co. of America]] (1930-1932), [[Herman Hettler Lumber Co.]] (1932)
** 1111-1112: [[James L. Elkins Construction Co.]] (1928), [[Aluminum Co. of America]] (1934)
* 1116-1127: [[Birmingham Clay Products Co.]] / [[Rust Engineering Co.]] contractors  (1932)
** 1116: [[Alabama Lime & Stone Corp.]] (1928), [[Whiting Corp.]] foundry supplies / [[Clarage Fan Co.]] (1930), [[Liggett & Myers Tobacco Co.]] (1934)
** 1121-1127: [[Birmingham Clay Products Co.]] / [[Rust Engineering Co.]] contractors (1934)
*** 1124: [[Southern Oil Stores Inc.]] (1930)
* 1129-1130: [[Bar-Trex Manufacturing Co.]] check dispensers (1930), [[Interstate Development Co.]] (1932)
** 1130: [[L. B. Cooper Realty Co.]] (1928)
* 1131-1140: [[Steel City Lumber Co.]] (1932-1934)
* 1133-1147: [[Reeves Bros Co.]] (1928)
** 1133-1135: [[L. J. Milev Co.]] asbestos goods (1930)
** 1144-1147: [[Shell Petroleum Co.]] (1930), [[National Fireproofing Corp.]] (1932)
* 1201: [[Alfred Vickery]] building superintendent (1928-1930), Martin Building office (1932-1934)
* 1202-1205: [[Tube Joy Patch Co.]] (1928)
** 1202: [[Bush Building Co.]] (1928), [[Marshall VanArman]] / [[Edgar Stanford]] architects (1932-1934)
** 1205: [[Mathews Conveyor Co.]] (1928), [[Cyclone Fence Co.]] / [[Bush Building Co.]] (1930)
* 1211-1213: [[Metropolitan Refining Co.]] / [[Southern Bitumen Co.]] asphalt (1932)
** 1211: [[American Window Cleaning Co.]] (1928-1930)
** 1212: [[Turner & McPherson]] architects (1928), [[Anthony Howell]] contractor (1930)
** 1213: [[Delpy & Co.]] contractors / [[Conwell Realty Co.]] (1930)
* 1216: [[C. P. Lichty Engineering Co.]] / [[C. A. Dunham Co.]] heating equipment (1930)
* 1221-1224: [[Turner & Slater]] architects (1930)
** 1221: [[George Turner]] architect (1932-1934)
** 1224: [[Paramount Coal Co.]] (1928)
* 1229-1235: [[Haickel Elkourie]] / [[Leo Elkourie]] physicians (1932-1934)
** 1229: [[Rubee Pearse|R. J. Pearse & Associates]] landscape architect (1928), [[A. J. Honeycutt Co.]] contractors (1930)
** 1230-1325: [[Haickel Elkourie]] physician (1928-1930)
* 1241-1247: [[Liggett & Myers Tobacco Co.]] (1932)
** 1244: [[Jefferson County Highway Department]] (1928-1930)
** 1247: [[R. C. Hemphill & Co.]] grain brokers (1934)
* [[Birmingham City Commission]] (1925)
* [[FBI Birmingham Division]]
* [[FBI Birmingham Division]]
* [[Turner & McPherson]], architects
* [[Alabama Limestone Co.]] (1931)
* [[Edward Slater]], architect
* [[Realty Brokers Inc.]] (1964)
* [[Stonewall Insurance Company]]
* [[Stonewall Insurance Company]]
|}


==References==
==References==
Line 22: Line 239:
* Tomberlin, Michael (August 19, 2008) "Downtown Stonewall project hits economic roadblock." {{BN}}
* Tomberlin, Michael (August 19, 2008) "Downtown Stonewall project hits economic roadblock." {{BN}}
* Tomberlin, Michael (February 13, 2011) "Downtown dreams: Renovation slow for prominent buildings." {{BN}}
* Tomberlin, Michael (February 13, 2011) "Downtown dreams: Renovation slow for prominent buildings." {{BN}}
* {{Buchanan-2012}}
* Poe, Ryan (January 30, 2013) "Apartment developer plans $10M revamp of Stonewall Building." {{BBJ}}
* Edgemon, Erin (March 9, 2018) "Affordable apartments set for vacant downtown Birmingham high-rise." {{BN}}
* Godwin, Brent (July 9, 2018) "Work to begin soon on major downtown tower redevelopment." {{BBJ}}
* Coker, Angel (July 30, 2019) "PNC closes on first Opportunity Zone deal in Birmingham ." {{BBJ}}
* Van der Bijl, Hanno (August 6, 2019) "Birmingham contractor lands American Life redevelopment project." {{BBJ}}
* Hrynkiw, Ivana (September 20, 2019) "Natural gas fire at downtown Birmingham building leaves streets closed." {{BN}}
* "Council to weigh incentives for American Life project." (September 23, 2020) {{BBJ}}
* Johnson, Roy S. (October 7, 2020) "Stonewall, other opportunity zone projects are transformative but true opportunity for residents still waits." {{BN}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=201182 Stonewall Building] on Emporis.com
* [http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=201182 Stonewall Building] on Emporis.com


[[Category:23rd Street North]]
[[Category:American Life Building|*]]
[[Category:4th Avenue North]]
[[Category:1925 buildings]]
[[Category:1925 buildings]]
[[Category:Tall buildings|12]]
[[Category:12-story buildings]]
[[Category:Office buildings]]
[[Category:Office buildings]]
[[Category:Vacant buildings]]
[[Category:Vacant buildings]]
[[Category:2020 buildings]]

Latest revision as of 22:10, 28 November 2023

The American Life Building from the southwest. Photographed October 2006

The American Life Building, also known as the Stonewall Building, is a 12-story, 84,000 square-foot apartment building on the northeast corner of 23rd Street and 4th Avenue North. Its entrance is located at 2308 4th Avenue North.

Originally an office tower, the building was constructed as the Doctors Building or Martin Office Building. It opened in April 1925, just in time to house the Birmingham City Commission and other departments after the destruction of the former Birmingham City Hall by fire. The architectural firm of Turner & McPherson had offices on the 12th floor.

The property was sold in 1946. In March 1947 the FBI Birmingham Division moved into the Martin Building, where it remained until moving to the 2121 Building in December 1962.

The building became the headquarters of the newly-formed American Life Insurance Company, and became known as the "American Life Building". Later, American Life acquired the Stonewall Insurance Company of Mobile and moved its headquarters to Birmingham in 1967. It remained the lead tenant of the renamed "Stonewall Building" until 1979, after which the offices and retail spaces were gradually vacated. The building's owner declared bankruptcy in 1983 and the property went into trusteeship.

The structure found a use as a document storage facility until about 2000. In 2004 Operation New Birmingham put it on their 12 Most Wanted list of downtown buildings in need of renovation.

A 2004 plan to convert the building into 48 condominiums for $4 million was never accomplished, though a project to remove asbestos from the structure was completed in 2006. The building is currently owned by brothers Leo and Ed Ticheli who in 2008 planned to convert it into 71 apartments. The schedule for the project was dependent on the housing market and completion of the Tichelis' redevelopment of the Massey Building and Jackson Hotel (former home of the Jimmie Hale Mission) properties, which they also owned. The American Life project was expected to cost about $10 million, when it stalled out during the economic downturn of 2008-2009.

In 2013 another proposal, from Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Dominium, projected a $10 million renovation to provide 65-70 "artist" apartments in the building.

In 2018 Ed Ticheli renewed his redevelopment proposal for the building, planning 137 affordable "workforce" apartments, ranging from $600 to $900 per month for rent. Five units were made availble for use by the Dannon Project. The proposal was awarded a $182,182 tax credit under Alabama's Historic Preservation Tax Credit program, with an additional $2.9 million request awarded in 2019. The Birmingham City Council approved $421,585.99 in economic develpment incentives for the project. LMS Real Estate is managing the property.

The $23.4 million project was financed by PNC Bank, mainly through a wholly-owned investment fund targeting projects in Opportunity Zones. Hendon & Huckestein prepared the architectural design for the renovation, which was carried out by Wyatt General Contractor.

A 1.5" gas line was ruptured and ignited during construction on September 20, 2019.

The apartment complex opened in late 2020 as the Lofts at American Life.

Tenants

Ground floor

Rooms

References

  • Birmingham Chamber of Commerce. (May 1925) "Industrial Activities." Birmingham. Vol. 1, No. 2
  • Tomberlin, Michael (August 19, 2008) "Downtown Stonewall project hits economic roadblock." The Birmingham News
  • Tomberlin, Michael (February 13, 2011) "Downtown dreams: Renovation slow for prominent buildings." The Birmingham News
  • Buchanan, Charles (2012) Fading Ads of Birmingham. Charleston, South Carolina: The History Press ISBN 9781609494834
  • Poe, Ryan (January 30, 2013) "Apartment developer plans $10M revamp of Stonewall Building." Birmingham Business Journal
  • Edgemon, Erin (March 9, 2018) "Affordable apartments set for vacant downtown Birmingham high-rise." The Birmingham News
  • Godwin, Brent (July 9, 2018) "Work to begin soon on major downtown tower redevelopment." Birmingham Business Journal
  • Coker, Angel (July 30, 2019) "PNC closes on first Opportunity Zone deal in Birmingham ." Birmingham Business Journal
  • Van der Bijl, Hanno (August 6, 2019) "Birmingham contractor lands American Life redevelopment project." Birmingham Business Journal
  • Hrynkiw, Ivana (September 20, 2019) "Natural gas fire at downtown Birmingham building leaves streets closed." The Birmingham News
  • "Council to weigh incentives for American Life project." (September 23, 2020) Birmingham Business Journal
  • Johnson, Roy S. (October 7, 2020) "Stonewall, other opportunity zone projects are transformative but true opportunity for residents still waits." The Birmingham News

External links

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