Kick off the restart of ICAA programs in Alabama at the Armour & Co. Rooftop Meet & Greet.
Welcome the spring season with local ICAA members, ICAA Southeast Board of Directors, and guests. Enjoy light bites, refreshing drinks, and mingling with old and new friends to learn about upcoming ICAA events in Birmingham and future plans to continue local programming.
Completed for occupancy in 1911, the Armour & Company, one of the country’s largest meatpacking companies, operated 2309 First Avenue North as a “branch house” distribution center. In 1951, records show the Armour & Co. building with offices, storage, and a working factory.
The past fifty years have seen many changes in the methods of distribution. Independent stores which the branch houses formally serviced have been largely replaced by chain stores, which received their meat supplies directly from their warehouses. Modern transportation has made it possible to make deliveries to these chain store warehouses directly from the packing plants, bypassing the local branches and decreasing the volume of their distribution business.
Because the Birmingham branch house could no longer be profitably operated as a wholesale meat distribution center, Armour & Co. withdrew all sales activities from the premises. The building has since been briefly used as a photo studio, but has remained vacant until 2021.
The building began new renovation in recent years, led by local architect, Christopher Architecture & Interiors, to transform the existing facility into a mixed-use occupancy with first floor commercial retail and restaurant with apartment units on the upper floors. The new design preserves the historic integrity of the original building and blends modern and historic elements together for a refreshing vibe.
The preservation of the Armour & Co building is an important step in the revitalization of both Morris Avenue and First Avenue’s Historic District. The neighboring blocks of the district have some restored buildings and the contribution of this project will cement the area as desirable and worthy of investment. The retail project will support other businesses in the district and residents contribute to the fabric of the Historic District to support retail and businesses in the district.