Highrise #174

**Empire Building** **Art by:** Chris Hytha **Story by:** Mark Houser Depending on who is doing the talking, this highrise stands on the “heaviest corner in the South” or the “heaviest corner on Earth.” The boast about big skyscrapers clustered at this intersection originated in Jemison Magazine, a promotional publication put out by developer Robert Jemison, whose father erected this daintily painted terracotta office tower. Hype came naturally to Birmingham, a young industrial city named by its founders after the famous British nexus of 19th century steel production. It was founded after rich seams of coal, limestone, and iron ore — the three main ingredients for steelmaking — were discovered in nearby Red Mountain. The elder Jemison built a fortune investing in street railways and suburban development in town. He built this office tower on the former site of a saloon that closed when, in rapid succession, the city, county, and state outlawed alcohol. Now a boutique hotel, it takes its name from an older town Birmingham swallowed up. The entrance is flanked by the original pink granite columns. An iron and marble staircase and chandeliers are also as they were on opening day. By far its best feature, however, is the rooftop bar, which allows a rare closeup view of the colorfully painted terracotta cornice.