View source for Mountain Brook Swim and Tennis Club

{{Locate | lat= 33.52784 | lon=-86.68362 | zoom=16 | type=h }}
The '''Mountain Brook Swim and Tennis Club''' is a 15-acre recreation center located at 5601 [[Old Leeds Road]] at the intersection of [[Bermuda Drive]] in [[Irondale]]. The club was opened in [[1965]] and closed in [[2006]]. It was purchased for $1.9 million by the city of Irondale in April [[2006]] after years of declining membership put the property at risk of foreclosure.

The property was initially being leased to [[Pine Cone Management]] while the city considered proposals for redevelopment. In [[2007]] Irondale hired [[Crawford McWilliams Hatcher Architects]] (CMH) to create renderings of development possibilities for consideration. Drawings of a "village" style development were presented during public hearings in early [[2008]]. Most neighbors expressed the wish that the property would be used for estate-size homes. City officials and CMH foresee interest in some mix of commercial and residential redevelopment, citing a "gap" in commercial amenities around the club site.

In [[2012]] Irondale Mayor [[Tommy Joe Alexander]] announced that the club had a buyer. [[Mark Gold]], one of the owners of [[Crestwood Festival Center]] and [[Grants Mill Station]] shopping centers, and [[Isaac David]], announced in December they intended to purchase the property from the city for $1.4 million. In May [[2013]] the deal closed with a sale price of $1.1 million, and  Gold announced plans to build 36 homes around 2,500 square feet each, and to renovate the clubhouse. Some of the club's features would be removed, including the clay tennis courts. The [[Irondale City Council]] rezoned the area for the garden homes that month. In December, David announced the plan to build homes had been cut to 24, and attempted to have a separate portion of the property rezoned for condominiums and a mix of retail businesses. Nearby residents complained and the [[Irondale Planning and Zoning Commission]] rejected David's proposal. 

==References==
* Debro, Anita (January 23, 2008) "Irondale village development considered for swim/tennis club." {{BN}}
* Debro, Anita (February 20, 2008) "Birmingham, Alabama hearing to discuss tennis club site." {{BN}}
* Debro, Anita (March 4, 2008) "Irondale council closes meeting to discuss possible sale of Mountain Brook Swim and Tennis Club." {{BN}}
* Gray, Jeremy (May 2, 2013) "36 homes planned for Mountain Brook Swim and Tennis redevelopment." {{BN}}
* Gray, Jeremy (December 20, 2013) "Irondale board refuses to recommend plan for condos, businesses at Mountain Brook Swim and Tennis Club." {{BN}}

[[Category:Recreation clubs]]
[[Category:Swimming pools]]
[[Category:Old Leeds Road]]
[[Category:Proposed developments]]
[[Category:1965 establishments]]
[[Category:2006 disestablishments]]