Renovation / Adaptive Reuse
Pizitz Food Hall
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
Birmingham, Alabama
Located at the base of the historic Pizitz Building, the Pizitz Food Hall reimagines the street-level experience of this iconic 1923 department store in downtown Birmingham, Alabama. Originally designed as a premier retail destination, the seven-story building served as a cornerstone of Birmingham’s commercial district for decades. Its recent transformation represents a thoughtful balance between preservation and adaptive reuse, ensuring its continued vitality within the urban fabric.
Following an extensive restoration by another architect, including the meticulous refurbishment of the building’s original terra cotta façade, the upper floors were repurposed into modern residential apartments. To complement this revitalization, Bayer Properties entrusted RJTR with the design of the food hall’s layout, shell space, and infrastructure, establishing a vibrant culinary hub at the street level.
Following an extensive restoration by another architect, including the meticulous refurbishment of the building’s original terra cotta façade, the upper floors were repurposed into modern residential apartments. To complement this revitalization, Bayer Properties entrusted RJTR with the design of the food hall’s layout, shell space, and infrastructure, establishing a vibrant culinary hub at the street level.
Architecture: RJTR
Interior Design: Design Build
Interior Design: Design Build
Year Completed: 2017
Total Building Area: 20,600 GSF
Number of Floors: 1
Total Building Area: 20,600 GSF
Number of Floors: 1
The Pizitz Food Hall is an architectural and cultural intersection, blending historic character with contemporary functionality. Inspired by the growing trend of curated, chef-driven food markets, the space is structured around a dynamic mix of 14 food stalls, three full-service restaurants, two retail shops, and a central bar. The open-plan layout fosters connectivity and fluid circulation, enhancing the social and communal experience while celebrating diverse, globally inspired cuisine. Strategic interventions in lighting, materials, and spatial planning create an inviting yet flexible environment, allowing each vendor to express its unique identity while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic throughout the hall.
The project exemplifies a thoughtful approach to adaptive reuse, demonstrating how heritage buildings can be reinvigorated to serve contemporary needs while preserving their architectural integrity. The Pizitz Food Hall now stands as a model for urban renewal, anchoring a historic landmark within Birmingham’s evolving downtown landscape.
The project exemplifies a thoughtful approach to adaptive reuse, demonstrating how heritage buildings can be reinvigorated to serve contemporary needs while preserving their architectural integrity. The Pizitz Food Hall now stands as a model for urban renewal, anchoring a historic landmark within Birmingham’s evolving downtown landscape.
“The Pizitz Food Hall serves as a community hub and a place to explore Birmingham’s culture through food and drinks. The restoration of this historic building maintains a tie to the city’s past, while also integrating into the new urban fabric that is Birmingham’s revitalized downtown”
- RJTR Design Team
Renovation / Adaptive Reuse
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