Sprawling metro Birmingham shopping center to open first shops this summer

The wait is nearly over for Alabaster’s massive $242 million Shoppes of District 31 project. After nearly two years of heavy construction, city officials confirmed this week that the sprawling development is set to begin opening its doors to the public this summer.

New Retail and Dining Coming to Alabaster

Excitement is building along U.S. 31 as signage goes up for the first wave of businesses. In a Tuesday social media update, the city highlighted the upcoming debut of the first phase of the shopping center, which promises a fresh variety of dining and retail options for the community.

Shoppers and diners can look forward to a diverse lineup of popular brands, including First Watch, Panera Bread, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Hollywood Feed, Chipotle, Cava, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, and Aspen Dental.

A Major Boost for the Region

Spanning 80 acres, the District 31 project represents a significant expansion for Alabaster, bringing approximately 600,000 square feet of retail, restaurant, and hotel space to the city. Work on the site kicked off in 2024, and the economic impact is expected to be substantial.

According to city projections, the development is slated to generate about $2.8 million in annual city sales taxes, alongside an additional $1.4 million in dedicated school sales revenue, marking a major milestone for growth in the metro Birmingham area as reported by 205focus.com.