Concord Center
| Company type | Office building |
|---|---|
| Industry | Commercial real estate |
| Founded | March 1, 2002 |
| Headquarters | Birmingham , United States |
Area served | Birmingham, Alabama |
| Products | Office space |
Number of employees | 120 (2007) |
The Concord Center is a Class-A office tower located in downtown Birmingham, Alabama, rising 11 stories and reaching a height of 145 feet (44 meters). It occupies the historic location of Birmingham's inaugural skyscraper, the original Jefferson County Courthouse. The structure is distinguished by two illuminated pyramids, each 30 feet tall, perched on its roof as a tribute to the pyramids that once adorned the courthouse.
History
Situated on the grounds where Birmingham's first skyscraper—the original Jefferson County Courthouse—stood, the Concord Center replaces a building erected in 1889 and demolished in 1937 following its replacement by a newer courthouse in 1929.
For more than six decades, the site remained undeveloped and functioned primarily as a parking area adjacent to the YMCA. In 1999, Brookmont Realty Group purchased the property and revealed plans to construct an 11-story office building encompassing 152,000 square feet. The law firm Lange, Simpson, Robinson & Somerville LLC (which later became Adams and Reese) committed to leasing the top three floors, serving as the principal tenant.
Construction commenced in May 2000 after clearing away the remaining foundation of the former courthouse. The architectural design by Williams Blackstock Architects incorporated distinct illuminated pyramids atop the roof as an homage to the historic courthouse’s original features. B.L. Harbert International acted as the general contractor. The Concord Center officially opened its doors on March 1, 2002.
In 2007, Harbert Management Corporation moved its headquarters along with approximately 120 staff members from Hoover to this building.
By August 2012, Cadence Bank announced plans to relocate its corporate headquarters from the nearby John Hand Building to Concord Center. This move involved taking over space vacated by Adams and Reese after their transition to Regions-Harbert Plaza. Cadence Bank also established a branch and ATM within the lobby area. The relocation was finalized in early 2013.
Artwork
During development, collaboration between the developer, Birmingham Museum of Art, and architects ensured designated space within the two-story lobby for art installations. Several pieces were loaned by the Birmingham Museum of Art for display. The lobby’s focal point is an intricately hand-carved wooden globe that originally belonged to Harbert Management Corporation’s Riverchase headquarters. Commissioned by Harbert Corporation—the predecessor entity—the globe represents Harbert’s extensive global construction ventures and international reach.