218 20th Street North

218 20th Street North 3-story red-brick building located between 2nd Avenue North and 3rd Avenue North on the west side of 20th Street North. The site originally boasted a boarding house, constructed in 1873. The current brick building, constructed around 1905, has housed numerous businesses, including the current occupant, Michael Saab's Bistro 218.

[Harsha Hatti]] purchased the vacant building in November 2002 from developer Joseph McClure. He stripped the interior to its original brick walls, restored the ceilings, and installed a Mahogany storefront.

Tenants

• Bromberg's Jewelers: 1920–1946. The upper floors housed Bromberg Galleries "china, glassware, gifts and artware"
• A 1925 view shows other businesses sharing the building included the Vanity Boot Shop, a billiards hall, and the Princess Theater (?)
• A 1939 view of the same building shows Burt's Shoes
• A 1977 view shows Wigs Wig Center
• Vacant (c. 1990 - 2008)
• Seafood D'Lite, opened July 21, 2008, closed 2012
• Bistro 218, opened Fall 2012

To left: 214 – 216 20th Street North

20th Street North 218

To right: Farley Building

References

• White, Marjorie Longenecker (1977) Downtown Birmingham: Architectural and Historical Walking Tour Guide. Birmingham: Birmingham Historical Society.
• Carlton, Bob (September 21, 2012) "Bistro 218 coming to restored downtown Birmingham site." The Birmingham News