Black Diamond building
The Black Diamond building is a 2-story, 2-bay, 8,000 square-foot brick commercial building on the northeast corner of Block 107B, at 2229–2231 1st Avenue North in Downtown Birmingham.
It was constructed around 1903 as offices for the newly-formed Black Diamond Coal Co.. The front portion of the building is clad in glazed brick with a deep projecting cornice supported on paired brackets. The shop openings are supported on a smaller cornice with a dentil course spanning between engaged pilasters. The recessed entryways are flanked by low walls capped by limestone window sills. The rest of the building is unglazed brick with arched window openings. Access to a basement level is provided at the rear of the building.
The building is recorded as a contributing property to the Morris Avenue-First Avenue North Historic District, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
Residential Ventures of Denver, Colorado purchased the Black Diamond building and its adjoining 36-space parking lot in 2018 for $1.7 million. They sold it to another investment group in December 2023. Ironvest Partners manages and leases the property.
Tenants
- ground floor
- 2229–2231: Ward Auto Supply Co. (1928), vacant (1932), Harry Cohen Wholesale House women's clothing (1947),
- 2229: former location of William Spence (1904), J. A. Papageorge (1905), Isaac Pelton (1909), C. C. Snider Cigar & Tobacco Co. (1911-1924) / R. A. Patterson Tobacco Co. (1912), American Garter Co. / Cuban Cigar Manufacturing Co. / Guarantee Supply Co. (1914), Gaines-Powers Cigar Co., Winn-Snider Cigar Co. (1926), Dixie Store Fixtures (1953), Fix-Play Co. store fixtures (1957)
- 2231: former location of Evans Bros. Construction Co. (1904–1907), Ballard & Ballard Co. (1911–1912), J. M. Brown (1916), W. G. Patterson Cigar Co. (1920s), Inez Armstrong restaurant (1937)
- 2235: former location of John Balabamos / Christo Jebeles (1909), Southern Sales Agency wholesale jewelers (1953), Gibbs Finance Co. loans (1957)
- 2229–2231: Ward Auto Supply Co. (1928), vacant (1932), Harry Cohen Wholesale House women's clothing (1947),
- offices
- Black Diamond Coal Co. (1903–1991)
- Employees at Mutual of Wausau Insurance Corp. (1957)
- Owens Corning Fiberglass (1957)
- Jackson & Tucker attorneys
- The Lobbyist Group
- Resha Law Firm (Sonny Resha)
References
- King, Pamela Sterne & Ellen Mertins (August 31, 1981) "Morris Avenue-1st Avenue North Historic District." National Register of Historic Places nomination form - listed January 9, 1986
- Godwin, Brent (November 1, 2018) "Why a Colorado developer is buying downtown Birmingham properties." Birmingham Business Journal
- Parker, Illyshia (December 29, 2023) "New Orleans buyer acquires historic office building in Loft District." Birmingham Business Journal