New hotels in Birmingham

We track two hotels in Birmingham, both announced and both sharing a single building: the Brown Marx Tower, a 1906 skyscraper at the intersection known as the "Heaviest Corner on Earth." AC Hotel Birmingham Brown Marx (190 rooms) and Element Birmingham Brown Marx (148 rooms) are being created by Ascent Hospitality as a 338-room dual-branded conversion. Neither has a confirmed opening date: earlier targets of 2025 and 2026 have passed and construction was still under way in September 2026.

What to do

A weekend in Birmingham

Downtown is compact enough to cover on foot. Start at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, across from Kelly Ingram Park, which tells the story of the 1963 campaign that reshaped the city and the country. From there it is a short walk to the Heaviest Corner on Earth, where four early-20th-century towers meet, including the Brown Marx Tower. Spend an afternoon at Railroad Park, the green space along the old rail corridor on the southern edge of downtown, and book dinner in the Southside or Pepper Place districts, where much of the city's restaurant scene is concentrated.

A full week

With more time, drive up to Vulcan Park for the view from the base of the world's largest cast-iron statue, tour Sloss Furnaces, a preserved blast-furnace complex now a National Historic Landmark and event venue, and explore the Lyric Theatre district. Day trips are easy from Birmingham: Talladega, Tuscaloosa and the Appalachian foothills around Oak Mountain State Park are all within about an hour's drive.

Where to stay

Downtown, around the Heaviest Corner

Both announced hotels are in the Brown Marx Tower at 20th Street North and 1st Avenue North, in the heart of the central business district. The tower was completed in 1906, was Birmingham's tallest building for three years, and was doubled in size in 1908. It stood vacant and deteriorating until Ascent Hospitality bought it in 2018. Redevelopment began in 2019 and Peachtree Group provided $49.8 million in construction financing in late 2023. A full-service Starbucks has been approved for the corner of 20th Street North and 1st Avenue North.

Which hotel for your trip

Business travelers

AC Hotel Birmingham Brown Marx is aimed squarely at business guests, with 190 rooms in the middle of the central business district. Until it opens, no date can be relied on for planning a trip.

Longer stays

Element Birmingham Brown Marx, with 148 rooms designed for short and long stays, will be the extended-stay option in the same building.

Anyone planning a trip now

Neither hotel is open or bookable at the time of writing. Treat both as projects to watch and check back for a confirmed date before building a trip around them.

Frequently asked questions

Which new hotels are coming to downtown Birmingham, Alabama?

We track two: AC Hotel Birmingham Brown Marx and Element Birmingham Brown Marx, which share the historic Brown Marx Tower in a 338-room dual-branded conversion by Ascent Hospitality.

When will the Brown Marx Tower hotels open?

No firm date has been published. Earlier targets of 2025 and 2026 have passed, and construction was still under way in September 2026.

What is the Heaviest Corner on Earth?

The nickname of the intersection of 20th Street North and 1st Avenue North in downtown Birmingham, where four early-20th-century towers, including the Brown Marx Tower, stand on the four corners.

How many rooms will each brand have?

190 rooms under the AC Hotel by Marriott flag, aimed at business travelers, and 148 under Element by Marriott, designed for short and long stays.