By james art BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Ballard Designs has opened its first Alabama location in downtown Birmingham. Located on the city’s Rotary Trail, Ballard’s newest location occupies the street level of the historic Hardwick Building, with restaurants and offices filling the remaining floors and spaces of the former steel mill. Local Bayer Properties owns the Hardwick building and will soon welcome Epice and Lapeer Steak and Seafood restaurants to the property, according to I’ll be right now.
The new Ballard Designs store was created with several vignettes set with the brand’s living and dining furniture, lighting, rugs, bedding and home decor. The store also includes a fully staffed design center where customers can meet with one of the retailer’s design consultants. Additionally, Ballard designed and furnished the Hardwick Building’s common entrance to serve as a waiting area for restaurant patrons.