Construction on Brown Marx redevelopment closes part of 20th Street in downtown Birmingham
The latest phase of the Brown-Marx Tower’s transformation is underway, closing part of a downtown Birmingham street as crews work on the project.
Ethan Parker 
Downtown Birmingham drivers will need to adjust their morning commutes. The city has officially closed the northbound lane of 20th Street North to facilitate the ongoing redevelopment of the historic Brown-Marx Tower.
Construction Impacts and Detours
The closure, which affects the stretch of 20th Street North between First and Second Avenues North, is currently in effect until further notice. City officials are advising motorists to exercise caution when navigating the downtown corridor and to plan for alternate routes to avoid construction delays.
As this project moves forward, the city has confirmed that the southbound lane on that same block is slated for closure during a future phase of the work. 205focus.com will continue to monitor updates provided by city officials and the project’s construction team.
Breathing New Life into the Brown-Marx Tower
This road closure is a necessary step in the ambitious transformation of the 16-story Brown-Marx Tower, which was originally constructed in 1906. Once a key component of what was famously known as the “heaviest corner on Earth”—alongside the John Hand Building—the historic structure is being repurposed into a dual-branded AC Hotel and Element Hotel. The finished development is set to feature 338 guest rooms and a wide array of modern amenities.
The massive undertaking is backed by $49.8 million in construction financing secured by Ascent Hospitality, with a bridge loan provided by the Atlanta-based Peachtree Group.
Ascent Hospitality, which manages several other local landmarks including the Elyton Hotel and the Fairfield Inn & Suites on First Avenue North, is spearheading the project to bring this piece of Birmingham history back into the spotlight.
