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[[Image:Two North Twentieth.jpg|right|thumb|275px|Two North Twentieth seen from the southwest. January 2008]]
[[Image:Two North Twentieth.jpg|right|thumb|375px|Two North Twentieth seen from the southwest. January 2008]]
'''Two North Twentieth''' (originally the '''Bank for Savings Building'''), constructed in [[1962]], is a 17-story (264 foot) modern office tower developed by [[Engel Realty]], designed by [[Lawrence Whitten]] and constructed by [[Daniel Construction]]. It is located at the corner of [[20th Street North]] and [[Morris Avenue]] in downtown [[Birmingham]], a site previously occupied by the [[1886]] [[L & N Station]] and before that, the [[Relay House]], a hotel built by the [[Elyton Land Company]] in [[1871]].
'''Two North Twentieth''' (originally the '''Bank for Savings Building'''), constructed in [[1962]], is a 17-story, 208,733 square-foot modern office tower located at the corner of [[20th Street North]] and [[Morris Avenue]] in downtown [[Birmingham]], a site previously occupied by the [[1886]] [[L & N Station]] and before that, the [[Relay House]], a hotel built by the [[Elyton Land Company]] in [[1871]].


Construction of the $1 million new home for the [[Bank for Savings and Trusts]] began in [[1960]]. It was the first tall building built in Birmingham after the Depression, and is the most visible example of the International Style of architecture in the city. The structure is known best for the [[Two North Twentieth sign|monumental 176 by 26 foot electronic marquee]] mounted on top which displayed advertising messages using an array of 1,440 incandescent bulbs. The electronic sign was installed shortly after the building was completed, and operated intermittently until it was wrapped with a vinyl billboard in [[2014]].
The 264 foot-tall building was developed by [[Engel Realty]], designed by [[Lawrence Whitten & Son]] and constructed by [[Daniel Construction]].


[[Image:Spider Martin BFSB 1962.jpg|left|thumb|275px|The Bank for Savings Building lit up in 1962. Photo by Spider Martin]]
Construction of the $7 million new home for the [[Bank for Savings and Trusts]] began in [[1960]]. It was the first tall building built in Birmingham after the Depression, and is the most visible example of the International Style of architecture in the city. The exterior of the building is clad in anodized aluminum panels manufactured by Reynolds Aluminum in Muscle Shoals. The strongly pronounced vertical mullions enclose "equipment flanges" to facilitate cleaning of the gray-tinted glass windows.
In [[1975]] the building was used as a location for the movie ''[[Stay Hungry]]''. It served as the offices of a fictional real-estate cabal. Several refurbishing projects were completed in the late 1970s and early 80s. During the 1980s [[Engel Realty Company]], which had participated in redevelopment, kept its offices in the building.


In [[1995]] the building was purchased by [[Randle Jackson]] and Atlanta attorney Jeffery Hersh acting as [[Golden Mane Acquisisition Inc.]]. They performed asbestos abatement, but were unable to secure enough new tenants to proceed with planned renovations. In the late 1990s the ground floor of the mostly-vacant structure was occasionally booked for rave parties.
The structure is known best for the [[Two North Twentieth sign|monumental 176 by 26 foot electronic marquee]] mounted on top as part of the [[Centennial of Birmingham]] in [[1971]]. The electronic sign board displayed advertising messages using an array of 1,440 incandescent bulbs. The sign operated intermittently until it was wrapped with a vinyl billboard in [[2014]].
 
[[Image:Spider Martin BFSB 1962.jpg|left|thumb|375px|The Bank for Savings Building lit up in 1962. Photo by Spider Martin]]
In [[1975]] the building was used as a location for the movie ''[[Stay Hungry]]''. It served as the offices of a fictional real-estate cabal. Several refurbishing projects were completed in the late 1970s and early 1980s. During the 1980s [[Engel Realty Company]], which had participated in redevelopment, kept its offices in the building. The company added two flagpoles, for a United States and Alabama flag, on either side of the rooftop display board in [[1984]].
 
In [[1995]] the building was purchased by [[Randle Jackson]] and Atlanta attorney Jeffery Hersh acting as [[Golden Mane Acquisition Inc.]]. They performed asbestos abatement, but were unable to secure enough new tenants to proceed with planned renovations. In the late 1990s the ground floor of the mostly-vacant structure was occasionally booked for rave parties.


In [[1999]] the building was purchased by Atlanta developer George Cornwell, who oversaw a $16 million overhaul of finishes, infrastructure and security for the building by Evergreen Construction of Atlanta. Cornwell rechristened it as "Two North Twentieth" and the renovation, designed by [[KPS Group]], won a Preservation Award from the [[Birmingham Historical Society]]. In 2001 Cornwell re-lit the advertising marquee. The building is managed and leased by [[Harbert Realty Services]].
In [[1999]] the building was purchased by Atlanta developer George Cornwell, who oversaw a $16 million overhaul of finishes, infrastructure and security for the building by Evergreen Construction of Atlanta. Cornwell rechristened it as "Two North Twentieth" and the renovation, designed by [[KPS Group]], won a Preservation Award from the [[Birmingham Historical Society]]. In 2001 Cornwell re-lit the advertising marquee. The building is managed and leased by [[Harbert Realty Services]].
Line 13: Line 17:
In April [[2006]] the former Relay House on the 17th Floor served as a gathering place to overlook the site of the future [[Railroad Reservation Park]] while plans from Tom Leader Studios were presented to local officials.
In April [[2006]] the former Relay House on the 17th Floor served as a gathering place to overlook the site of the future [[Railroad Reservation Park]] while plans from Tom Leader Studios were presented to local officials.


The building was sold in [[2013]] for $19 million ($91.35 per square foot) to PZZ TNT Property Owner LLC of New York. Harbert Realty retained ownership of the [[Two North Twentieth sign|rooftop sign]].
The building was sold in [[2013]] for $19 million ($91.35 per square foot) to PZZ TNT Property Owner LLC of New York. Harbert Realty retained ownership of the [[Two North Twentieth sign|rooftop sign]]. In [[2024]] the building's lobby underwent a $1 million renovation designed by [[Poole & Co. Architects]] and executed by [[Harris Robinson Construction]].


==Tenants==
==Tenants==
Besides the Bank for Savings and Trusts, early tenants included the [[Thomas Tolliver]] law firm (now [[Burr & Forman]]) the [[Wallace R. Hartsfield Agency]], the Equitable Life Insurance Company and [[Blevins Barber Shop]], which has been in the building since it opened and is still there today. [[Chuck Morgan]] opened his law office there when the building opened, but closed it when he fled town in [[1963]]. The top floor was occupied by the [[Relay House club]], which was renamed the [[Summit Club]] when it moved to the new [[AmSouth-Harbert Plaza]].
* ground floor:
 
** [[Kemp’s Kitchen]] (2021–), former location of [[Roundtable Restaurant]] (1970), [[Nicholas' Restaurant & Lounge]] (1980s), [[Sol's Sandwich Shop]] (July 2008–2020)
Current tenants include, the United States General Services Administration, [[HKW Associates]] architects, [[KickMail]], [[Volkert & Associates]] program management department, [[Clark James Hanlin & Hunt]] attorneys, [[Gentle, Pickens & Turner]] attorneys, [[Haynes Downard Andra & Jones]] attorneys, the [[Central Alabama Women's Business Center]], and [[Bayside Business Solutions]].
** [[Bank for Savings and Trusts]] (1962-)
 
** former location [[Blevins Barber Shop]] (1962-2020)
[[Sol's Sandwich Shop]] opened on the ground floor along Morris Avenue in July [[2008]].
** [[HKW Associates]] architects
* middle floors:
** former location of [[Equitable Life Insurance Company]]
** [[Wallace R. Hartsfield Agency]] (1962-)
** [[Haynes Downard|Haynes Downard Andra & Jones]] accountants
** [[Chuck Morgan]], attorney (1962-1963)
** [[Thomas Tolliver]] attorney (1962-)
** 1st floor:
*** 100: [[Vineyard Brands]] (2017-)
*** 150: [[A. G. Gaston Construction]] / [[Strayer University]] (June 2020–)
** 2nd floor:
*** [[KickMail]]
** 3rd floor:
*** 300: [[Volkert & Associates]] program management department
*** 325: [[U.S. Small Business Administration]], Birmingham District Office (2018-)
*** former location of [[U.S. General Services Administration]]
* 7th floor
** 700: former location of [[Clark James Hanlin & Hunt]] attorneys
** 701: [[United Employment Service]] (1969)
** 707: [[Walter H. Smith]] broker (1969)
* 8th floor:
** 830: [[Central Alabama Women's Business Center]]
* 9th floor:
** 925: [[James Pewitt]] attorney
* 12th floor:
** 1200: [[Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham]] / [[Gentle, Pickens & Turner]] / [[Gentle, Pickens, Eliason & Turner]] attorneys
* 15th floor:
** [[Lawrence Whitten]], architect (1962-)
** [[The Piedmont Group]] wealth management (–2021)
* 16th floor
** 1600: [[Bayside Business Solutions]]
** 1610: [[Poole & Co. Architects]]
* 17th floor:
** 1700: [[Harbert Realty Services]]
** [[Relay House club]] (1962-1989)


==References==
==References==
* Berman, Irving (June 22, 1959) "[http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/LN-1(6-59).jpg Skyscraper to replace L&N railroad station]" {{BN}}
* Berman, Irving (June 22, 1959) "[http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/LN-1(6-59).jpg Skyscraper to replace L&N railroad station]" {{BN}}
* White, Marjorie Longenecker, ed. (1977) ''Downtown Birmingham: Architectural and Historical Walking Tour Guide.'' Birmingham: Birmingham Historical Society
* "[http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oRAsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=s8YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=901%2C3024976 Gleaming Aluminum Walls Enclose Bank Structure]" (March 29, 1962) ''Times Daily''
* {{White-1977}}
* Park, Jennifer. (September 3, 1999) "Downtown skyscraper gets $16M makeover." {{BBJ}}
* Park, Jennifer. (September 3, 1999) "Downtown skyscraper gets $16M makeover." {{BBJ}}
* Bowsher, Alice Meriwether. (Winter 2006) "When Less Was More: Alabama's Classic Modern Architecture." ''Alabama Heritage''. No. 79
* Bowsher, Alice Meriwether (Winter 2006) "When Less Was More: Alabama's Classic Modern Architecture." ''Alabama Heritage''. No. 79
* Poe, Ryan (August 29, 2013) "Downtown's Two North Twentieth sold for $19M." {{BBJ}}
* Poe, Ryan (August 29, 2013) "Downtown's Two North Twentieth sold for $19M." {{BBJ}}
* Parker, Illyshia (December 6, 2023) "Two North Twentieth Building lobby undergoing renovation." {{BBJ}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=7a62138101717a3ac8c59bc53bd5954c 3-D model] of Two North Twentieth by Jordan Herring
* [http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=7a62138101717a3ac8c59bc53bd5954c 3-D model] of Two North Twentieth by Jordan Herring


[[Category:20th Street North]]
[[Category:Two North Twentieth|*]]
[[Category:Morris Avenue]]
[[Category:1962 buildings]]
[[Category:1962 buildings]]
[[Category:Tall buildings|17]]
[[Category:17-story buildings]]
[[Category:Lawrence Whitten buildings]]
[[Category:Lawrence Whitten & Son buildings]]

Latest revision as of 17:08, 6 December 2023

Two North Twentieth seen from the southwest. January 2008

Two North Twentieth (originally the Bank for Savings Building), constructed in 1962, is a 17-story, 208,733 square-foot modern office tower located at the corner of 20th Street North and Morris Avenue in downtown Birmingham, a site previously occupied by the 1886 L & N Station and before that, the Relay House, a hotel built by the Elyton Land Company in 1871.

The 264 foot-tall building was developed by Engel Realty, designed by Lawrence Whitten & Son and constructed by Daniel Construction.

Construction of the $7 million new home for the Bank for Savings and Trusts began in 1960. It was the first tall building built in Birmingham after the Depression, and is the most visible example of the International Style of architecture in the city. The exterior of the building is clad in anodized aluminum panels manufactured by Reynolds Aluminum in Muscle Shoals. The strongly pronounced vertical mullions enclose "equipment flanges" to facilitate cleaning of the gray-tinted glass windows.

The structure is known best for the monumental 176 by 26 foot electronic marquee mounted on top as part of the Centennial of Birmingham in 1971. The electronic sign board displayed advertising messages using an array of 1,440 incandescent bulbs. The sign operated intermittently until it was wrapped with a vinyl billboard in 2014.

The Bank for Savings Building lit up in 1962. Photo by Spider Martin

In 1975 the building was used as a location for the movie Stay Hungry. It served as the offices of a fictional real-estate cabal. Several refurbishing projects were completed in the late 1970s and early 1980s. During the 1980s Engel Realty Company, which had participated in redevelopment, kept its offices in the building. The company added two flagpoles, for a United States and Alabama flag, on either side of the rooftop display board in 1984.

In 1995 the building was purchased by Randle Jackson and Atlanta attorney Jeffery Hersh acting as Golden Mane Acquisition Inc.. They performed asbestos abatement, but were unable to secure enough new tenants to proceed with planned renovations. In the late 1990s the ground floor of the mostly-vacant structure was occasionally booked for rave parties.

In 1999 the building was purchased by Atlanta developer George Cornwell, who oversaw a $16 million overhaul of finishes, infrastructure and security for the building by Evergreen Construction of Atlanta. Cornwell rechristened it as "Two North Twentieth" and the renovation, designed by KPS Group, won a Preservation Award from the Birmingham Historical Society. In 2001 Cornwell re-lit the advertising marquee. The building is managed and leased by Harbert Realty Services.

In April 2006 the former Relay House on the 17th Floor served as a gathering place to overlook the site of the future Railroad Reservation Park while plans from Tom Leader Studios were presented to local officials.

The building was sold in 2013 for $19 million ($91.35 per square foot) to PZZ TNT Property Owner LLC of New York. Harbert Realty retained ownership of the rooftop sign. In 2024 the building's lobby underwent a $1 million renovation designed by Poole & Co. Architects and executed by Harris Robinson Construction.

Tenants

References

External links

  • 3-D model of Two North Twentieth by Jordan Herring
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