The building known in Birmingham as the Booker T. Washington Insurance Co. building is undergoing a transformation in the coming months, according to AL.com. The online news site shares that the building will be revamped into The Parisian, an apartment and retail project in downtown Birmingham that will introduce 32 apartments and commercial space into the historic building. Before the building was named for Booker T. Washington Insurance, it previously was The Parisian department store. The building will add a parking deck with 160+ spaces and there will also be a fitness center, club room, a rooftop deck and extensive amenities for residents.

The Birmingham local movers are excited at what the remodeling of this iconic building could do for boosting the downtown scene. On the retail side, there are talks on adding a restaurant, a bar, a deli, and other tenants that will cater to the residents as well as downtown visitors. Plans are projected for a November groundbreaking and the process is pending the Birmingham Design Review Committee’s approval. We have also learned that The Parisian is one of several potential projects offering new residential housing in Birmingham. As of right now, there are three other properties planned for the downtown area.