It takes a two-thirds vote for Birmingham’s Design Review Committee to overturn a neighborhood recommendation – something that rarely occurs. This month, however, the committee did just that.

The Avondale Park neighborhood committee denied this residential project twice. Its first denial was due, in part, to concerns about maintaining the area’s architectural integrity based on the design, materials, and massing. The redesigned project was also denied despite the new façade fitting the architectural style of the area. This new construction will fill a currently empty lot that was previously designated for a parking lot for a nearby church. After the discussion, the committee agreed that the design and materials blend with the historic integrity of the area and the massing is not detrimental.

Meanwhile, the building that once housed La Paree on Fifth Ave. N. downtown is being given a new life as a new restaurant. The committee heard the façade renovation plans this week. In addition to a new storefront, the second-story façade will be removed to expose the original windows, brick, and metal band. The new owners plan to keep the original neon sign intact, but will return with the signage package.

From the 1940s through the 1980s, La Paree was considered one of the top downtown restaurants. The restaurant changed ownership in the late 1980s and closed 20 years later. Five years after closing, Harbert Realty announced plans to demolish the historic restaurant in favor of a new hotel development. When those plans didn’t materialize, the building sat vacant.

Other Signage and Exterior Renovations

• Sidewalk diners at Salud will be treated to a shadier summer dining experience, as well as a way to keep the heat from escaping as the weather changes. The committee approved the installation of a retractable awning system to cover the tables along the building façade. The approval is conditional pending the zoning department’s approval of a right-of-way variance.
• The corner of 19th St. and 3rd Ave. N. will get spruced up for the holidays, courtesy of the team at REV Birmingham. Plans for a window art installation and graphics for the vacant portions of the Alabama Theatre property were approved by the committee. The exterior window graphics were approved under the 90-day temporary signage regulation.
• The city’s 90-day temporary signage regulation requires project representatives to return to the committee every three months to request re-approval of the signage, regardless of whether it will change or remain the same. Despite this, most applicants ignore the requirement. The committee commended the REV team for being conscientious and following the re-approval requirements for their projects throughout the city.
• One year after conceptual approval, the committee considered the final design package for Slade Land Use, Environmental, and Transportation Planning’s new headquarters. The company will be renovating a previously vacant building downtown.
• The final project approved by the committee was for a metal blade sign to be installed at Halo Dental’s downtown location.

November Committee Decisions by Neighborhood

Avondale Park

Residential: Single Family Home, New Construction– The committee overturned the committee’s recommendation and approved the project.

Downtown / 19th Street North

Window Displays (90-Day Temporary Signage) – 1817 Third Ave., N. – The committee approved as presented.

Downtown / Birmingham Green

Façade Improvements & Signage – 2013 Fifth Ave., N. – The committee approved the façade improvements as presented, with the condition that the signage plan returns for review.

Shade Awning – 1931 Second Ave., N. – The committee conditionally approved as presented, pending approval of a zoning variance.

Downtown / Northwest

Exterior Renovations and Signage – 1616 Seventh Ave., N. – The committee approved as presented. Conceptual approval was previously given on November 13, 2024.

Midtown

Signage – 201 18th St., S. – The committee approved as presented.

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Twice a month, the City of Birmingham’s Design Review Committee convenes to discuss plans to make alterations to structures that fall within one of the city’s many historic and commercial revitalization districts. In these districts, approval from the Design Review Committee is required before permits can be obtained. This recap of Design Review includes the decisions made at the November 17, 2025, meeting.

As outlined in the application process, the committee’s decisions are binding, and applicants are responsible for carrying out the plans as presented and approved. Any deviations from the approved plans shall not be undertaken without a return to the committee for approval.