Details of a Renovation I

Many of you are well aware of my love affair with Birmingham's historic Lyric Theatre. I photographed her for the first time in 2009 and right up until her grand re-opening last month. Well now there's a "new girl" in town and she's been patiently waiting on the corner of 19th Street North and 2nd Avenue for someone to bring her back to life. The Pizitz Department Store was built in 1899 by founder Louis Pizitz and was their flagship store until it closed in 1988. Since then it's stood empty and deteriorating. ( See my photo from 2009 below.) Thanks to Bayer Properties and Brasfield Gorrie Construction, she is on the mend and will be open for business in October of this year.

New plans are for upper floors with apartments with all the amenities, including a roof top pool. On the mezzanine level offices and the ground floor promises to make Birmingham's foodies drool over the Food Hall.

Many thanks to a very patient Tom Walker, Bayer Properties Project Manager,  for the great tour last week. I was proud to don Bradfield and Gorrie's hard hat, safety glasses, lovely neon green mesh vest and glamorous construction boots for the occasion. More photos to come!