Pepper Place

In Birmingham Alabama, the railroad is the heart of the city. It runs through the city’s urban

center providing connectivity and vibrancy. The historic east-west axis of Birmingham is

prospering again with Pepper Place’s recent re-development. The district is located in

the heart of Birmingham with views of Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark and

a connection to the Jones Valley Trail. Pepper Place began its redeveloped in 1988 to

spur new growth in Birmingham. Suburban sprawl, strip malls and four lane highways

began to spread across Alabama’s landscape. Pepper Place started as a few blocks of

abandoned warehouses and has since turned into over 350,000 square feet of retail,

office, workshop spaces and farmer’s market.

Today, Pepper Place is a destination for the residents and visitors of Birmingham. The

district plays host to Michelin star restaurants, a renewed Farmer’s Market and high

end retail. The streetscape accommodates a weekly farmer’s market where the area’s

occupants balloon to over 4,000 people. Dirtworks is is developing pedestrian friendly

sidewalks and street crossings, shaded plantings to combat the oppressive Alabama sun

and increased seating opportunities.

The master plan works to develop a distinct design language for Pepper Place. Uniquely

designed Way Finding, Signage, Paving and Site Furnishings help create a cohesive

gesture linking the distinct spaces. A green alley, acting as the spine of the district,

features large shade trees and native Alabama woodland plantings. These plantings aid

with stormwater management, urban heat island and air pollution. Rain gardens and

bioswales are highlighted through the landscape to encourage sustainability education

and green best practices.

Location
Birmingham, AL

Size
2 acres

Completion
2019

Collaborators
David Baker Architects