As Birmingham reflects on its rich history, the city is also moving forward with several new developments.
The new Uptown Entertainment District is scheduled to open this fall, anchored by Westin and Sheraton hotels and the attached convention center complex.
The 294-room Westin Birmingham opened downtown in February with 7,000 feet of function space, an outdoor pool and upbeat dining venues. Located within walking distance of the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) and its 220,000 square feet of exhibit space, and connected to the 700-room Sheraton Birmingham, the largest hotel in Alabama, the opening of the Westin means that Birmingham now offers more than 1,000 total guest rooms connected to the BJCC by skywalk.
“Birmingham has several smaller properties, but they’re spread out across the city,” says Mike Gunn, vice president of convention sales at the Greater Birmingham CVB. “Now we can comfortably accommodate groups of up to 1,800 people on peak, all within 10 minutes of the convention center.”
Forthcoming dining options, including a Tejas de Brazil restaurant, will enhance Birmingham’s already booming dining culture. This year is also the Year of Alabama Food, celebrating the state’s famous dishes, restaurants and farmers markets. Gunn speaks highly of Birmingham’s culinary options, highlighting the Highlands Bar & Grill, Hot and Hot Fish Club by Iron Chef and James Beard-winner Chris Hastings and the new Todd English Public Urban Bar (P.U.B.) at the Westin.
Another new addition this year is Regions Field, which opened in downtown Birmingham in April and is home to the AA Birmingham Barons minor-league baseball team, affiliated with the Chicago White Sox. The field incorporates the city’s rich history, honoring the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Baseball League.
Meanwhile, the 19-acre Railroad Park project was completed in 2010 and has been compared to Manhattan’s elevated Highline Park. Home to free Wi-Fi, acres of green grass, lakes and wetlands, and hordes of happy joggers and picnickers, the park offers lawns, terraces, plazas, an amphitheater and a list of caterers that can be booked for events. Small groups of VIPs or executives can gather atop two overlooks, offering views of the park and city.
