BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Three restaurants slated for the Uptown entertainment district at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex aim to put their stamp on the look and life of the development.

The Birmingham Design Review Committee gave the green light to designs for Cantina Laredo, Mugshots Grill & Bar and The Southern at Wednesday's meeting.

The Southern will be the name of the new restaurant from the owners of Atlanta's The Ivy and Nashville's South. The Southern won approval for its signage plan on its restaurant in Uptown.

Cantina Laredo is the Mexican restaurant that will take one of the largest spaces in Uptown. The restaurant will have space on both of the two stories with outdoor seating in both.

A retractable awning and patio seating were among the elements the committee approved. Civitarese Morgan Architecture also shared images of how the interior of the gourmet Mexican restaurant will appear.

The future Cantina Laredo at Uptown near the BJCC. (special)

The restaurant’s top floor will have some of the best views of the giant video screen that is part of the $20 million Uptown development. Plans are for the screen to air sporting events and even simulcast some of the concerts and events at the BJCC.

In addition to those three restaurants, Uptown will include Texas de Brazil Brazilian steakhouse restaurant and Octane Coffee Bar. Todd English P.U.B. opened in the

Upstairs of the future Cantina Laredo at the BJCC's Uptown. (special)

space attached to the new $50 million Westin Birmingham hotel.

The 60,000-square-foot Uptown is around 90 percent leased with Texas de Brazil and Cantina Laredo each taking 7,200 square feet on the ground floor and more than 4,000 square feet on the second floor, The Southern taking more than 5,723 square feet plus some rooftop bar space, and Mugshots taking 4,000 square feet. Only the remaining 4,000 square feet next to Mugshots is available.