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[[Image:Federal Reserve Building.jpg|right|thumb|275px|Federal Reserve Building on March 20, 2006]]
[[Image:Federal Reserve Building.jpg|right|thumb|450px|Federal Reserve Building on March 20, 2006]]
The '''Federal Reserve building''' at 1801 [[5th Avenue North]] in downtown Birmingham was built in [[1924]] to house a branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta which was first opened here in [[1918]]. The building was designed by [[A. J. Krebs]] of [[Warren, Knight & Davis]] and built of Georgia marble and Indiana limestone.
The '''Federal Reserve building''' at 1801 [[5th Avenue North]] in downtown Birmingham was built in [[1924]] to house a branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta which was first opened here in [[1918]]. The building was designed by [[A. J. Krebs]] of [[Warren, Knight & Davis]] and built of Georgia marble and Indiana limestone for a cost of $290,000.


A major expansion of that facility was completed in [[1957]], bringing the total area to 104,000 square feet. The construction of this annex was complicated by groundwater, possibly related to an [[Underground river|underground stream]] reported to lie beneath parts of downtown. The foundations were pumped continuously during construction.
A major expansion of that facility was completed in [[1957]] at a cost of $1,970,000— bringing the total area to 104,000 square feet. The construction of this annex was complicated by groundwater, possibly related to an [[Underground river|underground stream]] reported to lie beneath parts of downtown. The foundations were pumped continuously during construction.


==2000s==
==Redevelopment plans==
The [[Birmingham Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta]] moved to a new facility in [[Liberty Park]] in [[2000]]. Later that year, [[Sloss Real Estate]] and [[Barry Real Estate]] announced plans for [[One Federal Place]] which included renovation of the Federal Reserve building along with construction of a new 300,000 square foot multi-use structure facing [[19th Street North]].  
The [[Birmingham Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta]] moved to a new facility in [[Liberty Park]] in [[2000]]. Later that year, [[Sloss Real Estate]] and [[Barry Real Estate]] announced plans for [[One Federal Place]] which included renovation of the Federal Reserve building along with construction of a new 300,000 square foot multi-use structure facing [[19th Street North]].  


In [[2002]] Newark, New Jersey artist Stephen Hendee was invited to install the first phase of his project in the [[Birmingham Museum of Art]]'s "[[Perspectives 7|Perspectives]]" series at the Federal Reserve building and the [[Concord Center]]. The illuminated geometric sculptures displayed at the Federal Reserve building included "The Vigilant, Thankful Excuses"; "Orange Chimera"; "The Counters, Transfer Ritual", "Date of Design" and "Dead Pool". During this phase the public had only a limited view of the work, through which Hendee was "working with the residual meanings of the building and its interior spaces," because the building was not open. Those elements were then relocated to the Museum and incorporated into the monumental Phase II installation entitled "[[Ascension (Perspectives 7)|Ascension]]".
In [[2002]] Newark, New Jersey artist Stephen Hendee was invited to install the first phase of his project in the [[Birmingham Museum of Art]]'s "[[Perspectives 7|Perspectives]]" series at the Federal Reserve building and the [[Concord Center]]. The illuminated geometric sculptures displayed at the Federal Reserve building included "The Vigilant, Thankful Excuses"; "Orange Chimera"; "The Counters, Transfer Ritual", "Date of Design" and "Dead Pool". During this phase the public had only a limited view of the work, through which Hendee was "working with the residual meanings of the building and its interior spaces," because the building was not open. Those elements were then relocated to the Museum and incorporated into the monumental Phase II installation entitled "[[Ascension (Perspectives 7)|Ascension]]".


In [[2003]] the original Federal Reserve building was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]]. It is currently vacant, but has been marketed as class B office space for $18.50/SF by [[Sloss Real Estate]].
In [[2003]] the original Federal Reserve building was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]]. The vacant building was marketed as class B office space for $18.50/SF by [[Sloss Real Estate]].


==Current plans==
In [[2006]] a Georgia developer announced plans to purchase and renovate the Federal Reserve Building and an adjacent building and to develop a [[Federal Reserve tower|new 18-story office/hotel tower]] on an adjacent surface parking lot. The project, estimated at $70 million, was never realized.
On [[March 18]], [[2006]], Savannah, Georgia-based Melaver Inc. announced plans to purchase and renovate the Federal Reserve Building and an adjacent building and to develop a new 14-story office/hotel tower on an adjacent surface parking lot. The $40 million project would encompass 80,000 square feet of commercial space in the renovated buildings and 175,000 square feet of new space in the tower, including a 34,000 square foot hotel on the top three floors. A 270-car underground parking deck is also planned. According to [[Colin Coyne]], chief operating officer of Melaver, the project will seek [[List of LEED certified buildings|LEED certification]] from the U.S. Green Building Council, meaning that it will use environmentally responsible materials and energy-saving designs and systems. [[Brasfield & Gorrie]] has been selected as general contractor and the developers expect to begin immediately with the renovation. Progress on the tower is contingent on securing a commitment from a hotel.


A June 2006 update revealed that Melaver had purchased the property for $3.12 million and that renovation of 80,000 square feet in the existing buildings will begin within the next three weeks. Coyne also shared that a restaurant and coffee shop/bar were being considered for the former branch's lobby area, and that the vaults are being kept for re-use in the new space. The overall scope for multiple phases of work remains the same. Speaking of a design charette recently undertaken by the firm, Coyne said "We will settle for nothing less than a building of national significance." It is through design and technology that Melaver hopes to attract tenants in a slack downtown office market. Preliminary plans were  revealed at a breakfast meeting of [[Operation New Birmingham]] on [[June 22]], [[2006]]. As of [[July 20]], [[2006]] no major tenants had committed to the proposed tower. Negotiations with two area law firms were unsuccessful and talks with hotel operators were continuing.
In early [[2014]] architects [[Robert Stewart (architect)|Robert]] and [[Susan Stewart]] of the [[Stewart Studio]] proposed a $24 million renovation of the property into a 44-suite boutique hotel with a restaurant and event space. They successfully applied for historic tax credits and found an eager hotel operator, but were unable to secure enough capital to proceed.


In December 2006 Coral Springs, Florida-based Vantage Hospitality Group announced that it would open a 200-room luxury hotel in the top eight floors of the tower, which would now be 18-stories tall. The as-yet-unnamed "Lexington Collection" hotel will be managed by InnWorks Inc. of Roseville, Minnesota. Vantage and InnWorks support Melaver's goals for LEED certification.
==Redevelopment==
In late [[2014]] [[Harbert Real Estate Services]] partnered with [[Capstone Real Estate Investments]] to purchase the property and embark on a $20 million renovation. [[Williams Blackstock Architects]] prepared design drawings and [[Hoar Construction]] broke ground in March [[2016]].


In August 2008 Coyne left Melaver and the company closed its Birmingham office. Financing for the project, now expected to exceed $70 million in construction costs, is expected to become available, but work may be delayed as underwriting agreements continue to be negotiated.
Anchor tenant [[Hand Arendall]] leased nearly 23,000 square feet and public relations firm [[Markstein]] moved into the full 13,000 square foot second floor. [[Urban Cookhouse]] leased 3,600 square feet on the ground floor for its first downtown location. A kinetic sculpture was commissioned from Lin Emery for the entrance to the building.
 
===Tenants===
* [[Hand Arendall]]
* [[Markstein]]
* [[Urban Cookhouse]]
* [[Agency Media Solutions]] (2022–)


==References==
==References==
* Bryant, Walter (November 27, 1975) "Underground river helped shape city". ''Birmingham News''
* Bryant, Walter (November 27, 1975) "Underground river helped shape city". {{BN}}
* Calvert, Michael (October 20, 2000) "City Center is adding new office space." ''Birmingham Business Journal''
* Calvert, Michael (October 20, 2000) "City Center is adding new office space." {{BBJ}}
* Birmingham Museum of Art (2002) "[http://www.artsbma.org/hendeepr.htm Stephen Hendee: Perspectives 7]" press release
* Birmingham Museum of Art (2002) "[http://www.artsbma.org/hendeepr.htm Stephen Hendee: Perspectives 7]" press release
* Tate, Jean (March 3, 2004) "Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta". ''New Georgia Encyclopedia''
* Tate, Jean (March 3, 2004) "[http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/ArticlePrintable.jsp?id=h-1740  Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta]" ''New Georgia Encyclopedia''
* Tomberlin, Michael (March 18, 2006) "$40 Million downtown project set". ''Birmingham News''
* Tomberlin, Michael (March 27, 2014) "Downtown Birmingham Federal Reserve property facing deadline for hotel, restaurant plans." {{BN}}
* Tomberlin, Michael (June 18, 2006) "'Cutting edge' plan for Reserve". ''Birmingham News''  
* Azok, Dawn Kent (September 8, 2014) "Harbert Realty Services announces purchase of Federal Reserve property in downtown Birmingham, plans 'vast' redevelopment." {{BN}}
* Tomberlin, Michael (December 21, 2006) "[http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/ArticlePrintable.jsp?id=h-1740 Downtown tower plan boasts 'organic' hotel]" ''Birmingham News''
* Poe, Kelly (August 28, 2015) "Construction on downtown Federal Reserve building to begin by year's end." {{BN}}
* Cooper, Lauren B. (August 22, 2008) "Fed Reserve plan hits speed bump." ''Birmingham Business Journal''
* Grass, Jonathan (March 16, 2016) "Birmingham mayor, construction team break tile on historic Federal Reserve building renovations." {{BN}}
* Godwin, Brent (Febraury 9, 2017) "One of downtown's major historic renovation projects opens for business." {{BBJ}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.melaver.com/Development/Development3.asp?id=29# Federal Reserve Building] project page at Melaver.com
* [http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/AL/Jefferson/vacant.html Vacant buildings] on the National Register of Historic Places
* [http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/AL/Jefferson/vacant.html Vacant buildings] on the National Register of Historic Places


[[Category:National Register of Historic Places]]
[[Category:Federal Reserve building|*]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Birmingham]]
[[Category:Warren Knight & Davis buildings]]
[[Category:Warren Knight & Davis buildings]]
[[Category:Bank buildings]]
[[Category:Bank buildings]]
[[Category:1924 buildings]]
[[Category:1924 buildings]]
[[Category:Proposed developments]]
[[Category:1957 buildings]]
[[Category:5th Avenue North|1801]]
[[Category:2017 buildings]]
[[Category:18th Street North|501]]
[[Category:Williams Blackstock buildings]]
[[Category:Vacant buildings]]
[[Category:Capstone developments]]

Latest revision as of 13:09, 4 March 2023

Federal Reserve Building on March 20, 2006

The Federal Reserve building at 1801 5th Avenue North in downtown Birmingham was built in 1924 to house a branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta which was first opened here in 1918. The building was designed by A. J. Krebs of Warren, Knight & Davis and built of Georgia marble and Indiana limestone for a cost of $290,000.

A major expansion of that facility was completed in 1957 at a cost of $1,970,000— bringing the total area to 104,000 square feet. The construction of this annex was complicated by groundwater, possibly related to an underground stream reported to lie beneath parts of downtown. The foundations were pumped continuously during construction.

Redevelopment plans

The Birmingham Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta moved to a new facility in Liberty Park in 2000. Later that year, Sloss Real Estate and Barry Real Estate announced plans for One Federal Place which included renovation of the Federal Reserve building along with construction of a new 300,000 square foot multi-use structure facing 19th Street North.

In 2002 Newark, New Jersey artist Stephen Hendee was invited to install the first phase of his project in the Birmingham Museum of Art's "Perspectives" series at the Federal Reserve building and the Concord Center. The illuminated geometric sculptures displayed at the Federal Reserve building included "The Vigilant, Thankful Excuses"; "Orange Chimera"; "The Counters, Transfer Ritual", "Date of Design" and "Dead Pool". During this phase the public had only a limited view of the work, through which Hendee was "working with the residual meanings of the building and its interior spaces," because the building was not open. Those elements were then relocated to the Museum and incorporated into the monumental Phase II installation entitled "Ascension".

In 2003 the original Federal Reserve building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The vacant building was marketed as class B office space for $18.50/SF by Sloss Real Estate.

In 2006 a Georgia developer announced plans to purchase and renovate the Federal Reserve Building and an adjacent building and to develop a new 18-story office/hotel tower on an adjacent surface parking lot. The project, estimated at $70 million, was never realized.

In early 2014 architects Robert and Susan Stewart of the Stewart Studio proposed a $24 million renovation of the property into a 44-suite boutique hotel with a restaurant and event space. They successfully applied for historic tax credits and found an eager hotel operator, but were unable to secure enough capital to proceed.

Redevelopment

In late 2014 Harbert Real Estate Services partnered with Capstone Real Estate Investments to purchase the property and embark on a $20 million renovation. Williams Blackstock Architects prepared design drawings and Hoar Construction broke ground in March 2016.

Anchor tenant Hand Arendall leased nearly 23,000 square feet and public relations firm Markstein moved into the full 13,000 square foot second floor. Urban Cookhouse leased 3,600 square feet on the ground floor for its first downtown location. A kinetic sculpture was commissioned from Lin Emery for the entrance to the building.

Tenants

References

  • Bryant, Walter (November 27, 1975) "Underground river helped shape city". The Birmingham News
  • Calvert, Michael (October 20, 2000) "City Center is adding new office space." Birmingham Business Journal
  • Birmingham Museum of Art (2002) "Stephen Hendee: Perspectives 7" press release
  • Tate, Jean (March 3, 2004) "Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta" New Georgia Encyclopedia
  • Tomberlin, Michael (March 27, 2014) "Downtown Birmingham Federal Reserve property facing deadline for hotel, restaurant plans." The Birmingham News
  • Azok, Dawn Kent (September 8, 2014) "Harbert Realty Services announces purchase of Federal Reserve property in downtown Birmingham, plans 'vast' redevelopment." The Birmingham News
  • Poe, Kelly (August 28, 2015) "Construction on downtown Federal Reserve building to begin by year's end." The Birmingham News
  • Grass, Jonathan (March 16, 2016) "Birmingham mayor, construction team break tile on historic Federal Reserve building renovations." The Birmingham News
  • Godwin, Brent (Febraury 9, 2017) "One of downtown's major historic renovation projects opens for business." Birmingham Business Journal

External links