WorkPlay
WorkPlay is a mixed use office building, sound stage, recording studio, performance venue, event space and bar located at 500 23rd Street South in Birmingham's Southside. The 30,000 square-foot complex was developed in 2001 by brothers Alan, Hugh, Blake and Randy Hunter.
Neil Davis of Davis Architects designed the $4.5 million renovations to the former warehouse.
The center's 400-seat theater has been used for concerts, comedy shows, film screenings, television viewing parties, political debates, and numerous other events.
In October 2010 Superior Bank began foreclosure proceedings on WorkPlay's building, which was organized independently of the center's operations. In December, Hunter revealed that he was negotiating with former Tom Williams Automotive Group executives Tom Williams Jr and his brother Clark to purchase the business.
The Williams' plans for the facility included adding outdoor gathering spaces, parking lot security, keeping the bar open nightly, repainting, and possibly adding a marquee. They hoped to book a wider variety of events included business lunches and community meetings during the day and fashion shows, art openings, wine tastings and other events at night. Todd Coder booked concerts at WorkPlay before the COVID pandemic.
In October 2023 a new ownership group made up of partners Johnny Grimes, Shane Hopson, Ben Jackson, Colby Mouchette and Josh Williams purchased WorkPlay from Tom and Courtney Williams for $3.6 million. The planned to fully remodel the facility, expanding the main bar and adding a second smaller bar for the soundstage.
References
- Ray, Tiffany (February 19, 2007) "WorkPlay duo searches for partners." Birmingham Business Journal
- Jaffe, Dana (October 21, 2010) "Foreclosure threatens WorkPlay’s future." Second Front
- Colurso, Mary (October 22, 2010) "Birmingham's WorkPlay entertainment complex faces building foreclosure." The Birmingham News
- Colurso, Mary (December 8, 2010) "Birmingham's Williams brothers, sons of late auto dealer, in negotiations to buy WorkPlay, Alan Hunter says." The Birmingham News
- Colurso, Mary (March 13, 2011) "Williams brothers, new owners of WorkPlay, ponder changes to entertainment complex in Birmingham." The Birmingham News
- Colurso, Mary (November 3, 2023) "Birmingham’s WorkPlay ready for a revival, after $3.6 million sale to new owners." AL.com
External links
- WorkPlay website