Today, enormous, state-of-the-art arenas and stadiums are constructed across the world to host these events. We are currently seeing a resurgence of stadium and arena renovations right here in Birmingham — innovative features on these structures are becoming crucial, as the competition for hosting rights increases each year. Now the question becomes: If these structures are built, will these regional and national events (along with their spectators) come? Let’s look at a brief history of these structures, as well as where they’re headed to find the answer.
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The Restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral
On April 15, 2019, people from around the globe watched in horror as one of the world’s most renowned historic structures became engulfed in flames. At the time, the Notre Dame Cathedral was undergoing a restoration project, at the center of which were the building’s spire, stonework and roof timbers. The fire started in the cathedral’s wooden attic and was only discovered after the blaze was well underway. 400 firefighters battled with the flames for two hours — the fire was fought from the interior in order to reduce damage to the structure. By the time the fire was under control, the spire and the majority of the cathedral’s roof had collapsed, destroying the vaulted ceiling in the process. Luckily, there were no casualties, and most of the relics and the art within the cathedral were undamaged.
Read MoreThe 100-Year Story of the Once Tallest Building in Alabama: The Empire Building
From 1909-2009, the 16-story Empire Building boasted an impressive array of tenants. Built on the site of the former Birmingham Bank Restaurant and Saloon, the building was an example of a booming Birmingham that caught the eye of and was now supported by northern investors and development companies.
Just four years after the Empire Building opened, the American Trust and Savings Bank Building was constructed on the diagonal corner, along with two other large buildings on each cross corner, which earned that intersection the title of “The Heaviest Corner on Earth.” It truly was the golden-era of Birmingham!
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