Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys building

The 2006 Birmingham News building is the four-story, 110,000-square-foot new headquarters for the Birmingham News, across 4th Avenue North from their former offices at the corner of 22nd Street.

Planning for the new building began in 2003, with a number of architectural firms invited to submit design proposals for a new building as an alternative to major capital investments in its existing offices. In January 2004, Williams-Blackstock Architects were hired to produce a design for a new headquarters that could be adapted to a variety of sites. Later that year, the News announced that it would stay downtown and build on the site of its existing dedicated parking lot.

The new building borrows design cues from its predecessor, including dark brown brick with limestone trim. Unlike the old building, the newer one features a grand central atrium rising the full height of the building and providing natural light deep into the interior. It also features state-of-the-art communications infrastructure and spaces that are custom-planned for modern newspaper operations.

Constructed over a 14-month period by Brasfield & Gorrie for a total cost of $21 million, the new News building opened officially at a ribbon cutting ceremony on August 10, 2006 which was attended by publisher Victor H. Hanson III, Birmingham mayor Bernard Kincaid and Alabama governor Bob Riley. The move across the street was completed in August.

The News plans to demolish the now-vacant 1917 building to make way for a surface parking lot for newspaper employees. The Birmingham Design Review Committee denied their application for a demolition permit. Under the guidelines set by the city, the News can reapply after 6 months. If no feasible alternative use for the building emerges during that time, it is expected the city will have to approve the permit.

References

• Carlton, Bob (August 11, 2006) "The News' building for new century." Birmingham News.
• "Brasfield & Gorrie to start on new News headquarters" (May 26, 2005) Birmingham News.
• "News' building plans pass design review." (January 27, 2005) Birmingham News.
• "News to stay downtown in new 110,000-square-foot building" (January 25, 2005) Birmingham News.
• "Birmingham News to build 4-story building for its new headquaters." (June 29, 2004) Birmingham News.
• "The News taps architect for new building: Williams-Blackstock will handle project." (January 17, 2004) Birmingham News.
• "News considers new building." (November 12, 2003) Birmingham News

External links

• Cutaway illustration (PDF) from the Birmingham News.
• Building the Future construction photo gallery
• 2006 Birmingham News Building on Emporis.com