Merci!

Thank you to the wonderful staff at Kirkwood By The River who are so kind to invite me over and over to present phototalks for the residents. Today I shared my The Renovation of the Pizitz Building. As I left, I snapped this lovely shot outside the entrance.

For my Birmingham area readers, I'd love to present one of my many phototalks for your group in the future. Visit my website to see the listing of talks I offer. Please contact me for any questions you might have. It's not too soon to book for the coming year! 

Things Just Got Real

Over the past year I made 7 trips inside the Pizitz Building photographing every nook and cranny. I have been patiently waiting for my work to go up on the walls. Well this past week, I was on hand as the 62 prints were sorted and hung throughout the building's lobby, 6 floors of apartments and the penthouse conference room (shown above).  This is a first for me and I will admit being very excited and proud!

Another huge thank you to Jules Lagarde, Wisznia's architect, and Bayer Property's Project Manager Tom Walker, for their willingness to make this whole project happen. 

Pizitz From Above

Last week I was lucky to see the progress at The Pizitz. As I crossed over the crosswalk to the parking deck, I spotted this view of the outside eating area for the soon to open Food Hall.

Men At Work

Yesterday I had got back down to the Pizitz Building. Things are coming along rapidly. The Food Hall is getting ready as well as the outside seating area shown here. The apartments, one and two bedroom rentals,  are fast filling up so if you're interested, I'd go have a look.  This is going to be a big downtown destination. More photos to come!

Remnants

 Pieces of what appears to be chunks for column details from the historic Pizitz Building.

Men at Work!

I'd like to take this time to salute the hard working Brasfield and Gorrie crew who have worked tirelessly on the renovation of the Pizitz Building. They work in the cold and Lord knows the summer heat here in Birmingham,. I have visited their construction site photographing since last February and without fail, they were always friendly, polite and allowed me to do my thing. These are the guys that show up day in and day out and are bringing this lovely old building back to life. As a proud wearer of a Brasfield and Gorrie hard hat, I tip mine to all of them!

Men At Work

Sparks are flying down at the Pizitz Building renovation. I see progress every time I go!

Birmingham Blue

Wandering around the historic Pizitz Building, now in the home stretch of renovation, I spotted this. I was attracted to the contemporary installation featuring graphic black boxes along with the watery transparent blue color.  The Brasfield & Gorrie guys, well they see vents wrapped in blue plastic. I like my story better.

How I Roll

Those of you who know me well, are chuckling. I'm notorious for hating the tripod and when nobody is looking, the hard hat as well. Actually I took the hat off to get a few ceiling photos and put it right back on! Spent some time at the wonderful old Pizitz Department Store building again last week. Work is moving quickly. I'm almost out of time...

Men at Work

The historic Pizitz Building is coming right along with its wonderful renovation thanks to Bayer Properties and Brasfield & Gorrie. 

Once Upon a Time

 this lovely old column graced the tearoom of the Pizitz Department Store.

Façade

I grew up in Birmingham and probably shopped at Pizitz Department Store a zillion times. I never noticed this finely carved mural until Bayer Properties' Tom Walker, pointed out the cleaning process on a recent trip there to photograph. Such a treasure that is being carefully restored.

Details

As the Pizitz Building undergoes its renovation, there remain some lovely details of this 93 year old building remain. These columns with their remarkable detail are reminders of days gone by when this was a bustling department store. 

Off With the Old

By October,  the mezzanine of the Pizitz Department Store will be transformed into office space. Meanwhile, I"m still enjoying the grunge while I can!

Ghost Eyes?

Or just a temporary construction door at the Pizitz Building?

On Top of the World!

Well maybe not the world, but the top of the Pizitz Building currently undergoing a grand renovationin downtown Birmingham. Our friend Joe, from Brasfield & Gorrie, was patiently waiting for me to take my photos from the rooftop so he could whisk us back down on the construction elevator. He's sitting in what will soon be the rooftop swimming pool for the apartment residents. Stay tuned. I'm going back with Bayer Properties' Tom Walker for some more photos today!

Details of a Renovation II

Today we are back on the mezzanine of the Pizitz Department Store building. The grooves in the flooring are where the rotten wood sub flooring as been ripped up. The actually hardwood flooring is safely stacked in the basement and will be laid again, with a good sanding and staining. That made me very happy. Bayer Properties and Brasfield Gorrie Construction are working their magic!