American Laundry Co. building
The American Laundry Co. building is a 50-foot by 150-foot, 2-story, brick commercial building constructed in 1923 by Fies Realty Co. for the American Laundry Co. at 1630 2nd Avenue South. It sits on the southeast corner of Block 125, northwest of the intersection of 2nd Avenue and 17th Street South in what is now the Parkside District.
The building was designed by architect Harry Wheelock and was lauded at the time for its modern layout and equipment. After the laundry moved, the building was taken over by Bradley White, a moving company, as warehouse space. The original brick smokestack was demolished in the 1960s. Later Mazer discount retailer used it for its office and store equipment division. Later the building housed "The Warehouse" music venue. The original cargo elevator still operates.
A company affiliated with Phillip McWane purchased the vacant building in 2015 for $425,000. In June 2020 a company affiliated with Craft O'Neal of O'Neal Industries purchased the building for $1.8 million and developed plans to renovate it as The Fennec, a restaurant, event space and live music venue.
References
- Van der Bijl, Hanno (July 6, 2020) "Historic Parkside building sells, new owner eyes restaurant and event space with focus on live music." Birmingham Business Journal
- Van der Bijl, Hanno (July 7, 2020) "Birmingham exec sheds light on plans for new honky-tonk bar in Parkside." Birmingham Business Journal
- Van der Bijl, Hanno (May 17, 2021) "New Parkside entertainment venue 'The Fennec' to open August." Birmingham Business Journal