The Summit

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

The Summit in 2010

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. It is currently owned and managed by Centennial of Dallas, Texas.

Background

Memphis, Tennessee developers Poag & McEwen are generally credited with developing the concept of a "lifestyle center" in the late 1980s. The International Council of Shopping Centers recognizes The Summit of Birmingham as the first "contemporary lifestyle center", a more specific term for upscale open air shopping center with landscaping and architecture intended to evoke a village-like atmosphere, while keeping the convenience of close by parking at every shopfront. A key part of Bayer's strategy was to recruit brands that had no other presence in the region to lend the center credibility as a shopping destination.

Construction

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.

Sale

In 2022 Bayer sold its property management portfolio to Centennial of Dallas, Texas. The following year, the center began offering consolidated online shopping and same-day delivery through the "One Bag" platform.

Tenants

Phase I (opened Fall 1997) 201 Summit Boulevard Barnes & Noble (1997–) #300: LensCrafters (2022–), former location of Smith & Hawken 205 Summit Boulevard #100–200: Trader Joe's (opened October 2, 2015) #100: former location of Banana Republic (1997–2014) #200: #300: Emmy Squared Pizza (2023–), former location of The North Face (2012–2015) #400: Brooks Brothers 209 Summit Boulevard #100: Bath & Body Works (opened 2019), former location of Vineyard Vines (opened 2012–2018) #150: former location of Sephora (2019-) #200: L'Occitane en Provence (2014–2018) #300: Victoria's Secret (2014–) #400: former location of Bath & Body Works (2014–2018) #450: Peloton, former location of Lucky Brand Jeans 211–219 Summit Boulevard 211, #100: former location of Allen Edmonds shoes (2014–2018) 211, #200: Apple Store (2023–), former location of Williams-Sonoma (2014–2018) 213: Brahmin (June 2015–), former location of Janie & Jack (closed January 2015) 215: former location of Restoration Hardware 217: former location of Apple Store (April 2007–2023) 220 Summit Boulevard #150: Bebe 221 Summit Boulevard Belk (2007–present), former location of Parisian (1997–2007), 225 Summit Boulevard former location of Rosenberger's Birmingham Trunk #D2: former location of Abercrombie Kids #97–100: former location of Tavern on the Summit (1998–January 2014) #97: Frances Valentine (opened 2022), former location of The Art of Shaving (August 2014–2018) #98: J. McLaughlin (opened October 2014) #99: Apricot Lane (2021–), former location of TUMI (August 2014–June 2020), Luna by Brio (2020–2021) #100: Frutta Bowls (2018-), former location of Calypso St Barth (August 2014-December 2017) #101: Kendra Scott jewelry #102: Johnny Was (opened October 2022), former location of Lilly Pulitzer (opened August 2014) #103: Lily Rain (opened March 2015) #105: Kate Spade, former location of Eddie Bauer #350: Sunglass Hut, former location of Mrs Fields Cookies #400: Ann Taylor, former location of Bath & Body Works #500: Tory Burch (2017–), former location of Emma's Intimates (opened 2009), Clarks shoes (2015) #600: M.A.C. Cosmetics #700: Gus Mayer #1000: Athleta (opened May 2014) #1100: North Italia (March 2021-), former location of Crepes Egg-Setera (closed 2005), Sephora (2014–2019) 233 Summit Boulevard P. F. Chang's China Bistro (1998–present) 241 Summit Boulevard former location of Romano's Macaroni Grill (1998–2019) 243 Summit Boulevard Talbot's 245 Summit Boulevard (outparcel) Seasons 52, former location of On the Border (1998–2007), Sweet Bones Alabama (2008–2012) 301-335 Summit Boulevard 301: Wells Fargo, formerly Wachovia Bank 305: Champs Sports 305A: Swoozie's (2013-), former location of Children's Place Orvis (opened June 20, 2014) 309: Arhaus (2017-), former location of Old Navy 313: Bed Bath & Beyond 315: Tempur-Pedic (2019-), former location of Coconuts Music & Movies / F.Y.E. Coconut's 317: former location of Pier 1 Imports 321: Summit Cinemas (November 1997–) 323: Real & Rosemary (2020-), former location of Zöe's Kitchen (2002–2019) 325: Ono Poké / Teaspoon (December 2022–), former location of Pieology (opened August 27, 2015, closed January 2021) 327: Taco Mama, former location of Michelson Laser Vision 329: Steel City Pops, former location of Ben & Jerry's 331: Chopt Creative Salad Co. (2021–), former location of Johnny Rockets (1998–2019) 335: REI (October 2019-), former location of Bruno's/Vincent's Market (1997–2009), Toys R Us (October 2011-2018) 241 Summit Boulevard Regions Bank

Phase II (opened Fall 2000) 101 Summit Boulevard: Village Tavern (2002–present) 103 Summit Boulevard: Fleming's Steakhouse (opened 2002) 105-127 Summit Boulevard 105: former location of LIME Fresh Mexican Grill (closed February 2015), Cowfish sushi & burgers (2017–2020) 107: former location of [Private Gallery]] (closed January 2015) 115: former location of Sur La Table (2012–2020) 123: Remon's 125: J. Crew 127: Woodhouse Day Spa (2019-), former location of Mountain High Outfitters, (closed 2018) 129 Summit Boulevard Saks Fifth Avenue (opened 2001) Butler's Grooming Lounge 131-143 Summit Boulevard 131: Bromberg's 133: former location of Marmi Shoes Chico's (2nd location) 143: Panera Bread (2003–present) Hair Reflections (closed November 2015) Loft by Ann Taylor (opened 2012) Marcella Rugs of Distinction (opened 2016) Mary Mimi Maternity Moods (2009–) A Pea in the Pod Tommy Bahama Ulta (opened 2019) The Good Feet Store (2022–) Mobley & Sons (opened 2019) Phase III (opened Fall 2001) 240 Summit Boulevard 102: Buckle (January 2023–) former location of GAP Kids (2013–2018) 104: Nike (2023–), former location of GAP (2013–2018) 200: Sono Bello laser liposuction, former location of Fitness Together, Greenhouse Day Spa, Halcyon Days Salon & Spa (2013–2018) 202: Baby & Kids (opened January 2016) Baby GAP (2001–) GAP Body (2001–) 250 Summit Boulevard Suite 100: Evereve (December 2022–), former location of Campus Spirit, Alumni Hall (opened August 7, 2015) Suite 102: Urban Cookhouse (2015-), former location of Bose (2012), Genghis Grill (closed January 2015) Suite 104: Sgt Pepper's by Dear Prudence (2021–), former location of Amphora Wine Merchants (Rob & Sherri Fairbairn December 2000–) Claire's, Fab'Rik (opened November 2014), 300 Summit Boulevard 100: Pottery Barn (2015-) 102: Pottery Barn Kids (spring 2001-) 104: Culinary Dropout (2023–), former location of Primeaux Cheese & Vino (2013-2016), Abhi restaurant (2017-2022) 310 Summit Boulevard 100: Nothing Bundt Cakes (2016-), former location of Sprout & Pour (August 13, 2012–2016) 102: former location of Franklin Covey 104: American Threads, former location of Coach, Everything But Water (2015) 105: Everything But Water, former location of Caché (-December 2014), Hair Reflections (2015) 106: former location of Aldo, White House Black Market (December 2000–), Which Wich 107: former location of Thomas Kinkade Gallery, Lotus (2015) 108: Mountain High Outfitters (second location, 2018-), former location of Amy's Hallmark, Verizon Wireless 320 Summit Boulevard 100: Urban Outfitters, former location of Let's Get Organized 200: West Elm, former location of American Eagle Outfitters 238 Summit Boulevard 100: Blue Sushi Sake Grill (2023–), former location of California Pizza Kitchen (2001–2020) 102: AT&T Store, former location of Joe Mugg's Newsstand Oli.O (opened August 2015) Lovesac

Phase IV (opened Fall 2005) 200 Summit Boulevard 100: Shake Shack, former location of Coldwater Creek (closed 2014) 200: Bluemercury (2018), former location of Kay Jewelers, Pandora (2013-2016) 300: Altar'd State (2017-), former location of New York & Co. (2012-2015) 350: Fabletics (2021–), former location of Gymboree (2012-2015), Hanna Andersson (2017-) 400: Anthropologie (2012-) 450: Pandora jewelry (2022–), former location of Marine Layer (October 2017-) 500: J. Jill 600: Francesca's Collections 550: Paper Source, former location of Tin Drum AsiaCafé Sugarboo Designs (opened November 2015) 214 Summit Boulevard The Summmit Guest Services 100: Aveda Experience Center (2012-), former location of The Grape (2005) 150: Luna by Brio (2021–), former location of Vera Bradley 300: White House Black Market (2012-2018) 350: Tecovas, former location of The Fitting Touch (2012), Lululemon (2014-2019) 400: UNTUCKit, former location of C. Wonder (closed 2014), Bevello, 420: Madewell (opened October 2013), former location of Swoozie's (2010-2012) 450: former location of Merrell (2012), Venetian Nail Spa (2014–2018), Molly Green (March 2019–) 500: Free People, former location of Lotus 550: Paper Source (2014-), former location of Swoozie's (-2010), 236 Summit Boulevard The Cheesecake Factory (2004-present) Phase V Phase VI (opened 2009) Bayer Properties (2005–present) Brighton Collectibles South Moon Under former location of Gloss Premium Denim (January 2010-) Sellers, Richardson, Holman & West (opened 2009) Brownell Travel (opened 2011) 216 Summit Boulevard (3-story office & retail): 105: Paddywax Candle Bar (November 2019-), former location of Pinkberry (closed 2013), The Fitting Touch (2nd location, 2018-2019) 110: Fidelity Investments 114: Lizard Thicket (2018), former location of Express Men (2014-November 2015) 120: Levi’s NextGen (spring 2022–), former location of Express (2014-November 2015), Soft Surroundings (May 2016–) 130: Lululemon (2019-), former location of Charming Charlie (2014-August 2018) 135: Chuy's restaurant (2014-) 220 Summit Boulevard: 140: former location of FLIP Burger Boutique (December 2009-December 2018) 145: former location of Michael Kors (opened 2012) 150: South Moon Under (2018), former location of Bebe (2014-2015) 155-160: Banana Republic (2nd location, opened 2015) 155: former location of Juicy Couture (closed March 2014) 160: former location of BCBG Max Azria (2014) 165: former location of The Fitting Touch (2009-2012) 168: SEE eyewear (2019-), former location of Alix and Ani (2018) 175: LUSH Cosmetics (opened May 2016), former location of Brighton Collectibles (2014-), James Avery (2014-2015)

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
• Thornton, William (January 28, 2022) "Four new shops coming to Birmingham’s The Summit." The Birmingham News

External links

• The Summit website
• The Summit at bayerproperties.com