22nd Street South

Twenty-second Street South (22nd Street South) is a one-way north-south street in Birmingham's Southside neighborhood, running south from the 22nd Street Viaduct over the Railroad Reservation to Highland Avenue, where it is interrupted by the Red Mountain Expressway.

A piece of 22nd Street South serves as part of the offramp from the Expressway to Highland Avenue or to 23rd Street South, forming the southern edge of the Highland Park neighborhood. Another two-way section of 22nd Street South begins at Arlington Avenue and ends as it turns onto 16th Avenue South in the Redmont Park neighborhood. On the other side of Red Mountain, there is a short two-way section of 22nd Street South in Mountain Brook's English Village, ending at 21st Avenue South.

22nd Street South forms the border between the Five Points South neighborhood to the west and the Southside neighborhood to the east. It also forms the western edge of the National Register of Historic Places' Southside Historic District between 4th and 7th Avenue South. The first four blocks of 22nd Street South lie within the city's Historic Downtown Automotive District, and the section from 5th Alley South to 7th Avenue South runs through the city's Southside Historic District.

The 400 through 700 blocks of 22nd Street South are included in Birmingham's Midtown Commercial Revitalization District, and the eastern edge of the City Action Partnership's service area extending to 5th Avenue South.

The Red Mountain Railroad followed 22nd Street South up Red Mountain from 15th Avenue South to Warwick Court on its way to Rosedale between 1889 and 1893. In the 1940s, the street was one of the proposed routes for a Red Mountain Tunnel.

Notable locations

For an alphabetical list of locations, see the 22nd Street South category.

Southside / Five Points South

• Railroad Reservation/22nd Street Viaduct (over Powell Avenue); road continues north as 22nd Street North)
  • west side (Block 114 C & Block 114 F):
    • Parking lot
  • east side (Block 114 B & Block 114 G):
    • Williams-Blackstock Architects (2003–), former location of V & W Supply, Nelson Manufacturing (built 1921/1925)

• 1st Avenue South / Rotary Trail intersect ("The Cut" for Seaboard Air Line Railroad):
  • west side (Block 120):
    • 100-104: Brad Morton studio and residence
      • 100-102: former location of saloon (1891), Seaboard Saloon (built 1897)
      • 104: courtyard wall, former location of Wilson-Goodwin Tire Shop (1926) Bush Auto Body Co. (1941), Southside Auto Tim & Glass Co. (1964) Reeve Signs (1970)
    • 106–110: one-story commercial building (built c. 1905), Magic City Signs (2019–), former location of Alabama Tire Exchange (1941), Beautyguard Manufacturing Co. (1964), Land of Was antiques (2007), Fusoform concrete studio (2011-)
      • 106: former location of Birmingham Radiator Co. (1926)
      • 110: former location of Samuel Vann auto repair (1926)
    • 112–114: former location of Birmingham Fabricating Co. (1926), Hill Sales Inc. refrigerators (1941)
      • 114: Mid-Alabama Chapter of the American Red Cross, Birmingham-Jefferson office (2010-), former location of Atlas Printing & Engraving Co. (1970), Keel Refinishing & Upholstery (2007)
    • 116: former location of Thelma Jones laundry (1926)
    • 118–120: parking lot (2010-)
      • 118: former location of Brocato Plumbing & Heating (1941), Modern Printing Co. (1970), Robert Lehman Studio furniture (2007)
      • 120: former location of James Bouloukas restaurant (1941), The Screening Room theater (1982-2007)
    • 128: former location of Houser & Rogers saloon (1904)
    • 130: former location of grocery / saloon (1891), P. J. Reed restaurant (1897)
  • east side (Block 119):
    • 101-107: parking for Moxy talent and marketing. former used car lot for Cruse Crawford Manufacturing Co. (1941)
      • 101: former location of fruit stand (1891)
      • 103–107: former location of National Dry Cleaning Co. (1926)
    • 109: former location of T. L. Russell saloon (1904)
    • 115-131: Birmingham Wholesale Furniture (1970-)

• 2nd Avenue South intersects:
  • west side (Block 137):
    • 200–208: Raden building (built c. 1895 by C. Moritz Raden)
      • 200: former location of Daniel Eyer grocery (1896–1899), Bower & Co. saloon (1904), Excelsior Bakery (1915–1918), Busy Bee Café (mid 1920s–early 1930s), Southside Paint & Supply Co. (1940–1950)
      • 202–206: former location of Refrigeration Sales & Service (1940), Maske & Kent Refrigeration Co. (1941)
        • 202: vacant (1926)
          • 202½: former location of Peter Stavros salesman (1926)
      • 204–208: former location of Walter White Auto Parts (1957–2007)
        • 204–206: former location of Hanna Motor Co. used car department (1926), electric shop (1957)
          • 204: former location of Daniel Eyer saloon (1899)
            • 204½: former location of Mary Raden boarding house (1896), Louise Curtis boarding house (1899)
          • 206: former location of Birmingham Automotive Service (2007), Southern Radiator & Cooling
        • 208: former location of Henderson Brewing Co. (1900), Francis Houghton auto repairs (1926), Federal-Mogul Service bearings (1941)
    • 210-230: Southern Armature Works
      • 210: former location of Keeley Service Station (1926), Albert T. Seals Auto Repair (1941–1970)
      • 212–214: former location of Wengel Wilbern//Seagraves/The Flexible Co. ambulances & fire trucks (1941), Cather Brothers Printing & Publishing (1964–1970), Fulenwider Auto Supply
        • 212: former location of New York Model Bakery (1887–1888), "ruins of fire" (1891), Midnight's Voice barcade (1974–1977)
      • 220: former location of Fariss-Armstrong Motor Co. (1941)
      • 224-230: former location of C. E. Reeves auto body & fender works (1941)
        • 224: former location of Auto Electric & Carburetor Co. (1926)
        • 226: former location of Charles Cram machine shop (1926)
        • 228–230: former location of Zylphia Freeney restaurant (1904), Frank Katz auto repairs (1926)
  • east side (Block 138):
    • 201–215: The Battery (built as the BEBCO building in 1913, redeveloped 2018), former location of BEBCO (1913–), Cruse-Crawford Manufacturing Co. repair department (1926), Office Outfitters (1964)
      • 201–203: former location of grocery (1891),
      • 205–215: former location of "negro dwellings" (1891)
    • 215–231: J. F. Oates Building (built 1929), Birmingham School of Law (2013–), former location of J. Truett Payne Co. autos (1964–1970), Tom Williams Porsche/BMW

• 3rd Avenue South intersects:
  • west side (Block 146):
    • 300–310: DaVita Dialysis Clinic, former location of Sherrill & Amos (1941), Jim Burke Nash (1945–1952), Chuck Milner Rambler (1964), Nelson-Brantley Glass Co. (1970), Franklin Automotive, Platinum Imports (2007)
    • 312–330: parking lot
  • east side (Block 145):
    • 301–311: former location of Birmingham Steam Bottling Works / Davis & Worcester (1886–c.1902)
      • 301: parking for Sweet Tea Restaurant (2011–), former used car lot for Fariss-Armstrong Motor Co. (1941)
    • 313–323: C & M Collision Center (2007–), former location of "negro dwellings" (1891), Merchants Cigar & Candy Co. wholesale sales (1941–1970)
    • 319–327: former location of residences (1926)

• 4th Avenue South intersects:
  • west side (Block 163):
    • 400–410: parking lot, former location of Birmingham Brewing Company (1889–1893), Alabama Brewing Company (1897–1907), Chuck Milner Rambler used cars (1964), Toyota Birmingham used cars (1970)
    • 416–430: Birmingham Cold Storage Warehouse (built 1916), former location of Schillinger Brewing Company (1884–1908)
  • east side (Block 164):
    • 401–409: former location of "negro dwellings" (1891)
      • 401–407: Norton's Florist (2005–)
        • 401: former location of Chip Ellis Motorcars
        • 407: former location of Roy Bridges Motors (1964) Foreign Car City / Toyota Birmingham (1969-1970)
    • 411-431: former location of Birmingham Ice Factory (1887-1891), Birmingham Ice & Cold Storage Co. / City Ice Delivery Co. / National Coal & Coke Co. (1926)

• 5th Avenue South intersects:
  • west side (Block 172):
    • 500–528: Whitaker Building (built 2001), UA Health Services Foundation
      • 500–508: former location of Crawford Johnson & Co. / Birmingham Coca-Cola Bottling Co. (1926)
        • 500: former location of Birmingham Paper Co. (1941), Nifty Manufacturing Co. (1964)
      • 516–530: former location of Brownell Motors (1914-1983), W. F. Green Motors (1941)
        • 526–530: former location of Nifty Manufacturing Co. storage (1964)
  • east side (Block 171):
    • 501: LIV on Fifth (2007-), former location of Tuck's Grocery Store (1907), American Standard Plumbing Warehouse (built 1924), Liberty National warehouse (-2007)
    • 503: former location of Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Co. (1926), Amstan Supply plumbing distributors (1964-1970)
    • 513–517: Iron City (2013-), former location of Richard King Automotive
    • 517–519: former location of Brammer Paint & Body Co. (1941)
      • 517: former location of Grayson Rose Automatic Transmission Co. (1964), Foreign Car City (1970)
    • 525: Iron City expansion (built 2019), former location of Speedy Print building (demolished 2018), Uncle Tom's Bar-B-Q, Speedy Print

• 6th Avenue South intersects:
  • west side (Block 189):
    • 600: former location of Third Presbyterian Church (1891-1899)
    • 610–612: Harris Transfer Company warehouse (built 1916), Harris Transfer & Warehouse Co. / Ajax Sales Co. (1926), Storage Depot (2007), Fish Market restaurant (2007-), former location of 2nd Presbyterian Church (1887)
    • 614–630: Taco Bell
  • east side (Block 190):
    • 601–603: former location of grocery (1891)
      • 601: Alabama Civil Law Notary, William J. Freeman attorney
      • 603: former location of Birmingham News branch office (1941)
    • 605: vacant (1926)
      • 605½: former location of Cotton Trading Co. (1926)
    • 607: former location of "shanty" (1891)
    • 611: former location of "shanty" (1891)
    • 613: former location of Ivy Discount Co. finance (1964)
    • 615: former location of "shanty" (1891)
    • 617–621: Third Presbyterian Church Bryan Educational Building (built 1960)
    • 627: Third Presbyterian Church (built 1902)

• 7th Avenue South intersects:
  • west side (Block 232):
    • 700–712: vacant lot (2019–)
      • 700: former location of Guaranty Acceptance Corp. (1964), Kao's Oriental Foods & Gifts (1975), Chai's Oriental Food Store, Chai Market (demolished 2019)
      • 708: former location of Becksted Distributing Co. vacuum cleaners (1964)
      • 710: former location of The Examiner newspaper (1964), Capco Adjusters Inc. (1970), Rocky's Up 22nd, Looking For A City Diner, 22nd Street Jazz Cafe (Al & Becky Rabiee 1991–2007)
      • 712: former location of Fuller & Crawford architects (1964), Fuller, Christian & Blake architects (1970)
    • 714–730: Johns Ridout Southside Chapel
  • east side (Block 231):
    • 701–713: former location of Berthon's Cleaners
    • 715–731: parking lot for 2208 University Boulevard
    • 725: former location of Jack's TV & Radio (1964), Alabama Restaurant Supply Co. (1970)
    • 727: former location of National Cleaners (1941), Waters Drive-In Cleaners (1964-1970)

• University Boulevard (8th Avenue South) intersects:
  • west side (Block 760):
    • Baptist Church of the Covenant (1995-)
    • 8th Court South intersects (west only)
    • Block 759
    • 828: former location of H. O. Powell dental laboratory (1964-1970)
    • 832: former location of Stead-Rockett Agency (1964), Stead Realty Co. / Walter Stead Insurance Agency (1970)
  • east side (Block 744):
    • 811: former location of Brocato Plumbing & Heating Co. storage (1970)
    • Southern Research Institute
    • 819: former location of Brocato Plumbing & Heating Co. (1964-1970)
    • 823: former location of Nolan J. Wehby Plumbing & Heating Co. (1941)
    • 825: Southern Research Institute, former location of Allen-Bradley Co. electric motors (1964-1970)

• 9th Avenue South (formerly Quinlan Avenue) intersects:
  • west side (Block 758):
    • 900: former location of G & H Management
    • 904: former location of Wagner Electric Sales Corp. (1970)
    • 912: former location of Ousler sandwiches (1926), Track Side Gas Station (1941), Allen Decorating Co. (1964-1970), Crow Studio, Randal Crow photographer
    • 918: former location of Gulf Refining Co. gas station (1926), John B. Torbert filling station / Cahaba Valley Coal Co. (1941), South Highland School playground (1964-1970)
  • east side (Block 745):
    • 901: former location of Gizmo Lounge (1960s-1980s)
    • 905: former location of Menendez Drapery Shop (1926), Dyer Electric Co. (1941-1970)
    • 909: former location of Ousler Sandwiches (1941-1970)
    • 911: former location of R. A. C. Smith, plumber (1941)
    • 917: former location of Tom Dickinson & Co. auto repairs (1941), Imported Car Service & Body Shop (1970), Birmingham Bumper Service (1970)

• 10th Avenue South (formerly Palmetto Avenue) intersects:
  • west side (Block 757):
    • Brother Bryan Park (formerly Magnolia Park)
  • east side:
    • 929: 2200 Magnolia Avenue, former location of Birmingham Fire Station No. 3, Hill Food Stores main bakery (1923), Family Laundry Service (1934), Ideal Heating & Refrigerating Co. (1941), Morris & Eckels laundry equipment (1960-1969), The Corner Stone head shop/coffee shop (1960s), Saunders Truck Leasing printing department (1970), Dick Jemison Gallery (1977) Birmingham Bumper Service

• Magnolia Avenue intersects:
  • west side (Block 751):
    • 1000: Cory Watson Attorneys, former location of Sycamore Storage Co. auto storage (1941)
    • 1016: former location of Commonwealth Life Insurance Co. (1964-1970)
    • 1018: former location of Freda Building Co. / G & H Home Builders / Merchants Home Builders / Von Dales Homes (1964), Gravlee Homes Inc. (1970)
    • 1020: former location of Johnson, Rast & Hays (1964), Donahue & Associates attorneys (2007)
    • 1022: former apartment building
    • 1028: former location of The Pauline Apartments (1964-1970)
    • 1030: former location of Sisters of Notre Dame convent (1941)
    • 1044: former location of Missionary Sisters of Verona convent (1970)
    • 1046: former location of Catholic Charities Bureau / Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity (1941)
    • Magnolia Alley
  • east side (Block 750):
    • 1001-1013: Brownell Building, Walter Schoel Engineering Company, former location of Linde Air Products Co. (1941), Brownell Travel (1964-1970)
    • 1015: former location of James Bryan residence (1926)
    • Magnolia Alley
    • 1023: Gastroenterology-Children PC (2007), former location of Camp Apartments (1964-1970)
    • 1029: former location of John S. Odess & Andrew M. Brown physicians (1970), Southeastern Capital Corporation (2007)
    • 1033: Childcare Resources (2022–), former location of Harry Goldner, Sam Kartus, Myron Levin, Robert M. May, Arnold Royal & Ronald I. Goldberg physicians and Vernon Rosenthal, dentist (1970), Canterbury Gardens Apartments (2007), St Vincent's Child Care Center, Jefferson State Community College health care workforce training (2020–2022)
    • 1035: former apartment building
    • 1037: 1037 22nd Street South office building

• 11th Avenue South (west) /10th Court South (east) intersect:
  • west side:
    • 1130: Ridge Park, former location of Rust Engineering (1970)
      • Brookwood Baptist Health
      • Sloss Real Estate
      • National Labor Relations Board
      • American Red Cross
      • Milo's Hamburgers offices
      • Shopping Center Group
• Ireland Way intersects (west only)
  • • 1128: former location of Baptist Hospital Nurses Home (built 1945), L. Kianoff & Associates (demolished 2023)
    • 1140: former location of Highland Plaza shopping center (demolished 2023)
  • east side:
    • 1101: Dr James Frank Building Southwestern Athletic Conference (2020–), former location of Pittman Financial Partners (–2020)
    • 1109: former location of Elements Inc. public relations (2007)
    • 1117: former location of James R. Garber, John W. Simpson & James L. Seibold physicians (1941), John W. Simpson / Siebold & Batson physicians (1964)
    • 1125: Sycamore Court Apartments (1926-1970)
    • 1131: former location of Morgan A. Perry Jr, James W. Underwood, Malcolm Pigford, Eldred Teague & George Zenger, physicians, and Birmingham Radiological Group (1964)
    • Highland Shell gas station

• Highland Avenue intersects:
• street continues as on-ramp to Elton B. Stephens Expressway south (U.S. Highway 31 south/U.S. Highway 280 east)
  • 1201: former location of The Maplewood apartments (1926)
  • 1217: former location of Blessed Trinity Missionary Cenacle & Catholic Charities Bureau (1964)
  • 1218: former location of The Vaughan apartments (1926)
  • 1233: former apartment building
  • 1236: The Tramont condominiums (built 2025)
  • 1241: former location of Catholic Women's Club (1964-1970)
  • 1248: former location of The Sycamore Manor apartments (1941-1970)
  • 1251: former location of White-Douglas Home (1941), Ellen H. Douglas Home (1970)

• Arlington Avenue intersects:
  • 1301: former location of The Maplewood apartments (1941-1970)
  • 1312: Arlington School (2007)
  • 1315: former apartment building (1964-1970)
  • 1320: former location of Discovery Place children's museum (1981-1998)
  • 1324-1326: former location of Vaughn Apartments (1941-1964), Arlington Plaza Apartments (1970)
  • 1401: Saint Rose Academy (1998-), former location of St Rose of Lima School (1970), Discovery Place (-1998), Dominican Sisters (2007)
  • 1412: former apartment building (1964-1970)
  • 1424: former location of Youth For Christ of Greater Birmingham (1970)
    • Lee & Nancy Bruno Education Center (built 1993)
    • former site of Red Mountain Museum (1977-1998, demolished 2007)