New Elyton Hotel Blends Old Birmingham With New
The old Colonial Bank Building at the corner of 1st Avenue North and 20th Street downtown stood vacant for years. Today it opens as an upscale hotel with a polished face and a plush interior, reminiscent of the city’s history as a center for industry and commerce.
This 17-story stone-washed building sat on what was known as the heaviest corner, because of the sheer size of the buildings and the business they did. Now with its renovation into the Elyton Hotel, Birmingham leaders are looking toward more revitalization.
“It’s coming back to life now,” Mayor William Bell said while touring the building Tuesday. “Through the partnership with the developer, the city, and other interested parties, we look forward to doing other projects like this throughout the city of Birmingham.”
Hotel developers used state historic tax credits in the $45 million project. Its name, Elyton, comes from the former town that was the center of trade and government through the mid 19th century.
The Elyton includes 117 rooms, a rooftop bar, and a restaurant.
Denise Vandersall, the general manager, says that history is reflected in almost every aspect of the venue, from the chandeliers to the old brass mail chutes.
“It’s bringing back the past and integrating it with the modern and showing people what was there many years ago,” she says.
Only one building – the Brown Marx Building — remains vacant at 1st and 20th, but no development plans have been announced.
Crew of fatal US military crash included Alabama father recently deployed
The six U.S. service members who died in the crash of a U.S. military refueling aircraft included an Alabama father who had just been promoted and deployed. The U.S. government released the identities of the deceased service members Saturday.
Alabama poised to drastically overhaul utility regulation. Will it lower electric bills?
The Alabama Senate unanimously voted to expand the public service commission, and create a Secretary of Energy to address rising electricity prices. A bill in the House would go even further, requiring rate case hearings and limiting utility profits.
Musher from Alabama is going for back-to-back Iditarod wins
Riches and paid appearances haven’t followed Jessie Holmes since he won the world’s most famous sled dog race, the Iditarod, last year. He doesn't mind.
Bill would move Alabama to closed primaries
Right now, any Alabama voter can participate in a primary election. Lawmakers in Montgomery took up a bill this week that would change that system.
Auburn football player uses NIL funds to open a community hub in Birmingham
Jourdin Crawford, a freshman defensive lineman at Auburn, used earnings from a Name, Image, and Likeness deal to give back to his hometown.
Ivey commutes death sentence of inmate whose accomplice fired fatal shot
Charles “Sonny” Burton was sentenced to death for the killing of Doug Battle during a 1991 robbery. However, another man shot Battle when Burton had left the building.
