Sunset from Mayawell Bar’s rooftop. Photo via Maywell Bar’s Facebook page

Lakeview is already one of Birmingham’s hottest districts, but it’s about to get even hotter. With a ton of recent and upcoming restaurants, bars, apartments, construction projects and more, you definitely need to keep your eye on Lakeview.

1. After less than a year, Automatic Seafood has already been named a James Beard semifinalist.

​Did we mention they’re named one of the best new restaurants in America? Talk about a great way for the new kid to go big.

Birmingham’s Automatic Seafood & Oysters named one of best new restaurants in America.

2. Oyster lovers rejoice! Half Shell Oyster House will open in March.

Charbroiled oysters at Half Shell Oyster House. Photo submitted.

Oyster-lovers of Birmingham, rejoice. Soon you’ll have a place to get your oysters, both in Lakeview and before too long in Trussville.

Get ’em raw, get ’em fried. HSOH to open in Birmingham’s Lakeview District in March

3. The Purple Onion is coming—we just aren’t sure when.

I’ll have one of each, please. Photo via The Purple Onion

Who doesn’t have fond memories of some late-night noshing at The Purple Onion? This will be a great addition to the area, in the old On Tap location, once it’s open.

The Purple Onion to open new location in Lakeview

4. Mayawell Bar opened in December 2019, bringing agave-based spirits to Lakeview.

This sweet little bar is the perfect place to get familiar with all the agave-based spirits you can imagine (tequila and mezcal, we’re looking at you). We once had a team meeting there just to be able to vouch for the fact that their margaritas are amazing.

Never fear, though, if margaritas aren’t your thing or you want to branch out—there are so many other things to try, too.

4 new openings in Pepper Place Lakeview including Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream

5. Lakeview Green will bring a mixed-use development to the area.

Lakeview Green blends an urban green space with living and retail. Photo via lakeviewgreen.com

Apartments, green space and more. What’s not to love? Lakeview Green will be on the corner of 4th Avenue South and 29th Street South, a mere block from Pepper Place. There will also be all the awesome amenities you’d expect from an awesome apartment, plus restaurants and retail on the first floor.

Also, views. Need we say more?

Mixed-use project, Lakeview Green, is coming to Birmingham’s Southside

6. A new location for the Magic City Wellness Center + UAB’s 1917 Clinic is under construction.

What UAB’s 1917 Clinic + Magic City Wellness Center will look like when it’s done. Rendering courtesy of KPS Group

Every day on my way home from work I drive past a huge building that’s going to be home to both the Magic City Wellness Center and UAB’s 1917 Clinic.

Magic City Wellness Center is the city’s only LGBTQ+ primary care facility. UAB’s 1917 clinic is, according to UAB, “the largest HIV health care unit in Alabama and one of the country’s preeminent HIV clinics, with more than 3,600 active patients.”

Having both of these organizations in one space means a major upgrade in the type and quality of comprehensive care that they can offer.

7. The former George Wheelock Building is getting new life.

Check out the ghost sign on the side of the original George F. Wheelock Co. (1888-1928) building on 21st Street South. Later they moved to the corner of 2nd Avenue South and 31st Street in Lakeview. Photo by Matt Hunter

The second home of George F. Wheelock Co. in Lakeview will become the location of Kemp Management Solutions and Telegraph Creative once it’s fixed up. It’s located at 3029 2nd Avenue South, not the location pictured above. But the ghost sign was so cool, we had to show it.

Kemp Management Solutions is a construction program management company led by J. Michael Kemp Sr., and Telegraph Creative is led by Cliff Sims, NYT best-selling author of Team of Vipers, which recounts tales of his time in the current White House.

According to the BBJ, the two CEOs released a joint statement saying the following:

“Pepper Place and the surrounding area is really becoming a center for progress in our city and we’re thrilled to be a part of it. We’re working closely with Cathy Sloss Jones and others who share a vision to continue developing this part of town into a place that brings together arts, entertainment and commerce.”

Now tell us, Birmingham, what are you looking forward to seeing in Lakeview? Tag us on social @bhamnow and let us know!

Sharron Mendel Swain Writer, Interviewer + Adventurer | Telling stories to make a difference