The Summit
- This article is about the shopping center, for the toy company, see Summit Products.
The Summit is a pioneering retail shopping center developed in several phases by Bayer Properties beginning in 1997 at the intersection of Highway 280 and I-459 in the city limits of Birmingham. It is currently owned and managed by Centennial of Dallas, Texas.
Background
Memphis, Tennessee developers Poag & McEwen are generally credited with developing the concept of a "lifestyle center" in the late 1980s. The International Council of Shopping Centers recognizes The Summit of Birmingham as the first "contemporary lifestyle center", a more specific term for upscale open air shopping center with landscaping and architecture intended to evoke a village-like atmosphere, while keeping the convenience of close by parking at every shopfront. A key part of Bayer's strategy was to recruit brands that had no other presence in the region to lend the center credibility as a shopping destination.
Construction
The Summit's first phase was a half-million square-foot collection of 30 retailers and restaurants including Parisian and Barnes & Noble that opened in 1997. The 106,000 square-foot second phase added 20 retailers, including the Gap, in 1999. The 165,000 square-foot third phase was opened in 2001 with Saks Fifth Avenue. The 67,845 square-foot fourth phase opened in 2005 and includes some 20 to 30 additional retailers and restaurants and brings the center 846,403 square feet. A fifth expansion was completed in 2009, adding office space to the retail mix. Phase VI of the Summit
With the opening of the Summit, Bayer established the "Summit Children's Fund" as a charitable organization to support child welfare non-profits.
Bayer Properties has trademarked the brand "The Summit" and has developed similar properties under that name in Louisville, Kentucky; Reno, Nevada; and Bethlehem Township, Pennsylvania.
Sale
In 2022 Bayer sold its property management portfolio to Centennial of Dallas, Texas. The following year, the center began offering consolidated online shopping and same-day delivery through the "One Bag" platform.
Tenants
Phase I (opened Fall 1997)201 Summit Boulevard
205 Summit Boulevard
209 Summit Boulevard
211–219 Summit Boulevard
220 Summit Boulevard
221 Summit Boulevard 225 Summit Boulevard
233 Summit Boulevard
241 Summit Boulevard
243 Summit Boulevard
245 Summit Boulevard (outparcel)
301-335 Summit Boulevard
241 Summit Boulevard |
Phase II (opened Fall 2000)101 Summit Boulevard:
103 Summit Boulevard:
105-127 Summit Boulevard
129 Summit Boulevard
131-143 Summit Boulevard
Phase III (opened Fall 2001)240 Summit Boulevard
250 Summit Boulevard
300 Summit Boulevard
310 Summit Boulevard
320 Summit Boulevard
238 Summit Boulevard
|
Phase IV (opened Fall 2005)200 Summit Boulevard
214 Summit Boulevard
236 Summit Boulevard
Phase VPhase VI (opened 2009)
216 Summit Boulevard (3-story office & retail):
220 Summit Boulevard:
|
References
- Kent, Dawn. (March 3, 2009) "Two metro projects signing up `best-in-class' tenants." The Birmingham News
- "Bayer goes vertical with new office space at The Summit." (March 27, 2009) Birmingham Business Journal
- Cooper, Lauren B. (April 16, 2009) "The Summit gets three new tenants." Birmingham Business Journal
- Thornton, William (January 28, 2022) "Four new shops coming to Birmingham’s The Summit." The Birmingham News
External links
- The Summit website
- The Summit at bayerproperties.com