Three Birmingham developers who focus on urban properties have transformed the 95-year-old Masonic Temple Building in Woodlawn into an events hosting facility.
The three-story building at 5500 First Ave. North, originally built in 1914 and vacated in 2004 by the Masons after sparse usage, was acquired two years ago for $198,000 by Community Property Development LLC.
Partners Andrew Morrow, Jamie Cawood and Andrew Capstickdale have invested an additional $400,000 in upgrades of the 21,000-square-foot building, renamed Woodrow Hall.
The building has a new roof and an urban look, including new furniture and a shiny floor in the 2,000-square-foot main meeting room that has hosted receptions seating nearly 200 people. But they retained much of the building's historic look, such as the bare brick walls and some original doors and windows.
Morrow is an Alpharetta, Ga., native and started his Birmingham construction company after obtaining a degree in biology from Samford University in 2002. He owns a separate construction company, Urbanscapes, that specializes in urban properties.
Cawood, whose father is South African and mother from the United States, graduated from The Citadel. He spent eight years as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force before going into business with Morrow, his brother-in-law.
Capstickdale, who along with Cawood is originally from South Africa, joined the duo as a partner a few years ago after graduating from UAB.
The Masonic Temple building is their biggest project to date. Tenants on the second floor include the Ann Day Lawrence law firm, architecture firm Box, and Desert Island Supply, a non-profit tutoring company. The owners are seeking a restaurant to fill a 3,200-square-foot spot on the first floor and an experienced caterer to handle events and meetings held in the facility.
Since they finished upgrades in September 2008, more than half of their events held at Woodrow Hall have been wedding receptions. They also have hosted birthday parties, holiday parties and luncheons for fraternities, sororities and civic groups.
"We have been pleased with the response," Cawood said.
David Fleming of Main Street Birmingham, an agency that contracts with the city of Birmingham to help revitalize urban neighborhoods such as Woodlawn and Ensley, hopes Community Property Development's redo of the Masonic Temple building helps revitalize the area.
Cawood, Morrow and Capstickdale, who range in age from 27 to 33, are a perfect example of young developers willing to give back in neglected urban communities, Fleming said.
"They are the perfect fit for us -- the private sector side of what we try to do in the public sector," said Fleming, executive director of Main Street Birmingham. "I think highly of them. They clearly have a desire to help uplift Birmingham."
Morrow said traditional banks were hesitant when they sought financing to buy the Masonic Temple building two years ago, forcing them to obtain a $160,000 loan from Seedco Financial in Birmingham.
"We saw Birmingham as having so much character and wanted to do our part to help revitalize it," Morrow said.
Added Cawood, shortly after leading a tour of the Masonic Temple: "The banks weren't interested and suggested we look to invest in projects in Shelby County or develop strip centers. But we saw a tremendous opportunity in houses and other properties available in Birmingham. I know we made the right choice in buying this building."
Other development projects by Community Property Development include two homes renovated and rented out to college students on Birmingham's Southside, an eight-unit apartment complex in Avondale and The Avenues, a building in the downtown loft district they converted into eight condos.