Hood-McPherson Building
- This article is about the building on 4th Avenue North in Birmingham. For the building on Avenue F Ensley see Hood-McPherson building (Ensley). For other uses, see Hood-McPherson Furniture.
The Hood-McPherson building is the former Hood-McPherson Furniture showroom located at 2013-2015 4th Avenue North in downtown Birmingham.
The six-story, 44,000 square-foot building was designed by Harry Wheelock and built by the Carroll Blake Construction Co. in 1914. The structure is steel and reinforced concrete. The cream-colored terra cotta façade is divided into two triple-window bays with moulded spandrels and a deep cornice. A vertical neon sign is attached to the pier between the bays.
The ground floor was modernized with marble panels and bronze letters as part of a 1964 remodeling. The $250,000 project also provided air conditioning and wall-to-wall interior carpeting.
The building was connected to Hood-McPherson's former location at 2016 3rd Avenue North by a covered walkway spanning the alley. It was demolished in 2011 following the sale of the buildings.
The long-vacant building was auctioned on February 3, 2011. Artist Murray Hiam purchased the main building for $125,000 and neighbor Standard Furniture bought the 3rd Avenue annex for $56,000.
Auburn in Birmingham
The Hood-McPherson building was purchased by Auburn University from Hiam's Stafford Co. for $1.55 million in November 2018 as a new facility for use by the College of Architecture, Design and Construction's Urban Studio, as well as for the Harbert College of Business.
Poole & Co. Architects surveyed the building and prepared programming studies and conceptual designs for the renovation and Williams Blackstock Architects created the renovation design documents. Construction was delayed due to the COVID pandemic. Stone Building Co. began work on the $21.8 million renovation in 2022. The project was completed in May 2024.
The shared lobby with 21-foot ceiling is dominated by an illuminated wall with a large video display. It can host events with up to 100 attendees. The Urban Studio occupies the 2nd and 3rd floors, with space for up to 75 students, including a reference library and fabrication shop, and some double-height studio spaces. The 4th floor houses administrative office space, a multi-function large classrooom, meeting rooms, and a lounge. The Harbert College of Business occupies the 5th and 6th floors with student workstations as well as flexible spaces for conferences and outreach programs.
The neon blade sign on the front of the building was replaced with an orange and blue LED-lit sign reading "Auburn University".
Tenants
- Hood-Wheeler Furniture Co., 1929
- Hood-McPherson Furniture Co., 1931-1964
- Auburn University College of Architecture, Design and Construction Urban Studio, 2024–
- Harbert College of Business, 2024–
References
- White, Marjorie Longenecker (1977) Downtown Birmingham: Architectural and Historical Walking Tour Guide. Birmingham: Birmingham Historical Society.
- Diel, Stan (January 13, 2011) "Downtown Birmingham's Hood McPherson building on the block." The Birmingham News
- Swant, Martin (February 3, 2011) "Birmingham's Hood McPherson building, adjoining property sell at auction." The Birmingham News
- Patchen, Tyler (December 12, 2019) "Auburn eyes greater presence in Birmingham after downtown building buy." Birmingham Business Journal
- Swain, Sharron (June 30, 2022) "Auburn University is bringing new life to the historic Hood-McPherson Building downtown." Bham Now
- Thrailkill, Laurel (July 26, 2022) "What's in store for the Hood McPherson Building in downtown Birmingham." Birmingham Business Journal
- Rebman, Stephanie (May 13, 2024) "Former Hood McPherson Building in downtown new Auburn home." Birmingham Business Journal
- Watson, Nathan (May 13, 2024) "Inside look: Auburn University unveils new home in downtown Birmingham." Bham Now