Is life returning to the empty, once bustling Brookwood Village Mall? ‘We’ve got a ways to go’
Brookwood Village Development Gains Momentum
Mountain Brook Mayor Graham Smith recently expressed optimism about the future of Brookwood Village, a former shopping mall that has struggled with declining occupancy since its heyday. Once a bustling hub of shopping and dining since its opening in 1974, the mall faced challenges following the launch of The Summit in 1997 and has remained largely empty after the closure of its last tenant, Five Guys, this year.
In December 2024, the cities of Homewood and Mountain Brook approved an agreement to collaborate on revitalizing Brookwood. A significant development on the horizon includes the conversion of the former Belk store into a $124 million, 135,000-square-foot orthopedic clinic, Andrews Sports Medicine. This project marks the first step in the area’s revival, with construction set to begin in April, pending the acquisition of a state certificate of need.
While Smith noted the excitement surrounding this development, she acknowledged that much work remains. “There’s a very large amount of space that still needs to be considered,” she stated. Although specific plans and timelines are still under discussion, city officials expect to meet with developers soon to outline the long-term vision for Brookwood Village. Smith cautioned that it may take a couple of years to see significant movement, but there is hope for a reinvigorated future for the area.
Read the complete article here: https://www.al.com/news/2026/01/is-life-returning-to-this-empty-once-bustling-birmingham-area-mall-weve-got-a-ways-to-go.html
