about

Architect: Emory Kirkwood & Associates

Contractor: Golden Construction

Built in 1921, the Burger-Phillips Department Store, an upscale fashion store that featured the first automatic opening doors in the Southeast. Golden & Associates was able to transform the six story, 56,000 sq. ft. building into a mixed use rental property, consisting of 35 apartment units and commercial space on the first floor. The open floor units feature European-style kitchens and polished concrete floors. A unique building element is the common outdoor terrace area located on the second floor. The area was renovated to include an open terrace with an herb garden and water features to provide residents a relaxing escape. Exterior renovations included the installation of balconies in the North-facing units, which allow tenants to enjoy an outdoor experience along with sweeping views of downtown Birmingham. One of the most challenging aspects of the project was the building's original construction. Built for a department store, its design was not conducive to the numerous chases required in a multi-family application. Golden worked with the architect and subcontractors to devise a plan to design a layout that minimized space taken up by the chases thereby increasing the usable square footage in each apartment unit.