The Summit

This article is about the shopping center, for the toy company, see Summit Products.

The Summit is a pioneering retail shopping center developed in several phases by Bayer Properties beginning in 1997 at the intersection of Highway 280 and I-459 in the city limits of Birmingham. The International Council of Shopping Centers recognizes The Summit of Birmingham as the first contemporary "lifestyle center", a retail development term that signifies upscale open air shopping centers with landscaping and architecture intended to evoke a village-like atmosphere while keeping the convenience of close by parking at every shopfront.

The Summit's first phase was a half-million square-foot collection of 30 retailers and restaurants including Parisian and Barnes & Noble that opened in 1997. The 106,000 square-foot second phase added 20 retailers, including the Gap, in 1999. The 165,000 square-foot third phase was opened in 2001 with Saks Fifth Avenue. The 67,845 square-foot fourth phase opened in 2005 and includes some 20 to 30 additional retailers and restaurants and brings the center 846,403 square feet. A fifth expansion was completed in 2009, adding office space to the retail mix. Phase VI of the Summit

With the opening of the Summit, Bayer established the "Summit Children's Fund" as a charitable organization to support child welfare non-profits.

Bayer Properties has trademarked the brand "The Summit" and has developed similar properties under that name in Louisville, Kentucky; Reno, Nevada; and Bethlehem Township, Pennsylvania.

Tenants

The Summit in 2010

Phase I (opened Fall 1997)

214 Summit Boulevard

• #150: Bebe
• Ben & Jerry's
• Brooks Brothers
• Bruno's/Vincent's Market (1997–2009)
• #400: C. Wonder (closed 2014)
• Chico's (1st location)
• Children's Place
• Clarks
• Michelson Laser Vision
• * On the Border (1998–2007)
• Parisian (1997–2007), Belk (2007–present)
• P. F. Chang's China Bistro (1998–present)
• Regions Bank
• Romano's Macaroni Grill (1998–present)
• Seasons 52, formerly Sweet Bones Alabama (2008–2012)
• Tavern on the Summit (1998–January 2014)
• #550: Tin Drum AsiaCafé
• Trader Joe's (to open Fall 2015)
• Tumi (opened August 2014)
• Victoria's Secret
• Wells Fargo (formerly Wachovia Bank)

107 Summit Boulevard

• Private Gallery

201 Summit Boulevard

• Barnes & Noble (1997–present)
• #300: Smith & Hawken

209 Summit Boulevard

• Bath & Body Works
• Banana Republic (1st location, 1997–present)
• L'Occitane en Provence
• #400: Lucky Brand Jeans

211 Summit Boulevard

• #200: Williams-Sonoma

213 Summit Boulevard

• Janie and Jack

215 Summit Boulevard

• Restoration Hardware

216 Summit Boulevard

• Express

217 Summit Boulevard

• Apple Store

225 Summit Boulevard

• #D2: Abercrombie Kids
• Ann Taylor
• Crepes Egg-setera
• Emma's Intimates
• Kate Spade New York
• Lily Rain (to open May 2015)
• #97: The Art of Shaving (opened August 2014)
• #98: J. McLaughlin (opened October 2014)
• #99: Lilly Pulitzer (opened August 2014)
• #100: Calypso St. Barth (opened August 2014)
• #101: Kendra Scott Jewelry
• #300: Eddie Bauer
• #350: Mrs Fields Cookies & Pretzels
• #1000: Athleta (opened May 2014)
• #1100: Sephora

243 Summit Boulevard

• Talbot's

250 Summit Place

• Fab'Rik (opened November 2014)

255 Summit Boulevard

• MAC Cosmetics

305 Summit Boulevard

• Champs Sports
• Orvis (opened June 20, 2014)

309 Summit Boulevard

• Old Navy

313 Summit Boulevard

• Bed Bath & Beyond

315 Summit Boulevard

• Coconuts Music & Movies / F.Y.E. Coconut's

317 Summit Boulevard

• Pier 1 Imports

321 Summit Boulevard

• Summit 16 cinema (1997–present)

323 Summit Boulevard

• Zöe's Kitchen (2002–present)

331 Summit Boulevard

• Johnny Rockets (1998–present)

Phase II (opened Fall 2000)

139 Summit Boulevard

• Bromberg's
• Chico's (2nd location)
• Fleming's Steakhouse (2002–present)
• Hair Reflections
• J. Crew
• Loft by Ann Taylor (opened 2012)
• Marmi Shoes
• Mary
• Mimi Maternity
• Moods (2009–)
• Mountain High Outfitters
• A Pea in the Pod
• Panera Bread Company (2003–present)
• Remon's
• Rosenberger's Birmingham Trunk
• Saks Fifth Avenue (2001–present)
• Tommy Bahama
• Village Tavern (2002–present)

Phase III (opened Fall 2001)

320 Summit Boulevard

• ALDO
• American Eagle Outfitters
• Amy's Hallmark
• Baby GAP
• Bose
• #100: Caché (closed December 2014)
• California Pizza Kitchen (2001–present)
• Campus Spirit
• Claire's
• Coach
• Everything But Water
• Halcyon Days Salon & Spa
• Fitness Together
• FranklinCovey
• GAP
• GAP Kids
• Greenhouse Day Spa
• Joe Mugg's
• Let's Get Organized
• Pottery Barn
• Pottery Barn Kids
• Thomas Kinkade Gallery
• #100 Urban Outfitters
• #200 West Elm

Phase IV (opened Fall 2005)

310 Summit Boulevard

• Aveda Experience Center
• Cheesecake Factory (2004-present)
• Coldwater Creek (closed 2014)
• The Fitting Touch (2009-present)
• The Grape (2005-present)
• Gymboree
• J. Jill
• Kay Jewelers
• Lotus
• Merrell
• New York & Company
• Swoozie's (closed 2010)
• Venetian Nail Spa
• #106: White House Black Market

214 Summit Boulevard

• #500: Vera Bradley

200 Summit Boulevard

• #400: Anthropologie
• Francesca's Collections

Phase VI (opened 2009)

• Bayer Properties (2005–present)
• Brighton Collectibles
• Gloss Premium Denim
• Banana Republic (2nd location, opened 2015)
• Vineyard Vines (opened 2012)
• The North Face (opened 2012)
• Sellers, Richardson, Holman & West (opened 2009)
• Brownell Travel (opened 2011)

216 Summit Boulevard:

• #105: Pinkberry (closed 2013)
• #130: Charming Charlie

220 Summit Boulevard:

• BCBG Max Azria
• Flip Burger Boutique
• #145: Michael Kors (opened 2012)
• #155: Juicy Couture (closed March 2014)

220 Summit Place

• #170: James Avery Jewelry

References

• Kent, Dawn. (March 3, 2009) "Two metro projects signing up `best-in-class' tenants." The Birmingham News
• "Bayer goes vertical with new office space at The Summit." (March 27, 2009) Birmingham Business Journal
• Cooper, Lauren B. (April 16, 2009) "The Summit gets three new tenants." Birmingham Business Journal

External links

• The Summit website
• The Summit info package (PDF) at bayerproperties.com
• The Summit Story video at bayerproperties.com