The Summit

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. The International Council of Shopping Centers recognizes The Summit of Birmingham as the first contemporary "lifestyle center", a retail development term that signifies upscale open air shopping centers with landscaping and architecture intended to evoke a village-like atmosphere while keeping the convenience of close by parking at every shopfront.

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 is due to break ground in the fall of 2006 and is expected include a luxury hotel and 15 story condo tower as well as more retail space.

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, Kentucy; Reno, Nevada; and Bethlehem Township, Pennsylvania.

Stores

Anchors

• Barnes & Noble, 25,390 sf, opened 1997
• Bruno's Supermarket
• Parisian, 114,886 sf, opened 1997
• Saks Fifth Avenue, 99,500 sf, opened 2001
• Summit 16 cinema, opened 1997

Restaurants

• California Pizza Kitchen
• Cheesecake Factory
• Fleming's Steakhouse
• Macaroni Grill
• On the Border
• P. F. Chang's
• Tavern on the Summit
• Village Tavern

Specialty shops

• Ann Taylor
• Anthropologie
• Aveda
• Banana Republic
• Chico's
• Coldwater Creek
• GAP
• J. Crew
• J. Jill
• Lucky Brand Jeans
• Pottery Barn
• Swoozie's
• Smith & Hawken
• Talbot's
• Tommy Bahama
• Williams-Sonoma
• Ben & Jerry's
• The Grape
• Johnny Rocket's
• Mrs Fields
• Panera Bread
• Zoe's Kitchen

External links

• The Summit website
• The Summit info package (PDF) at bayerproperties.com
• The Summit Story video at bayerproperties.com