Sloss Furnaces is Getting a Major Makeover, and We’ve Got the Scoop
Big changes are on the way for one of Birmingham’s most iconic sites. Read on for all the details on the major revitalization plans in store for Sloss Furnaces! Image: Sloss Furnaces
Sloss Furnaces has been a Birmingham fixture from (virtually) day one. Today, the industrial site is part museum, part classroom, and part events venue — and long overdue for a makeover! But the new renovation plans are so much more than a facelift; they are part of a strategic revitalization to weave the National Historic Landmark into its rightful place in the Magic City’s social and cultural fabric. We spoke with Executive Director David Arias for all the project details, and one thing is clear: Sloss Furnaces‘ best days are yet to come!
A Dream 40 Years in the Making
Sloss Furnaces has always been a community endeavor. Established in 1881, the pig iron manufacturer was the world’s largest in its prime, serving as a catalyst for industry and growth and helping Birmingham earn its nickname, “The Magic City.”
After closing in 1971, it became one of the first industrial sites in the country to be preserved for public use. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1981, a century after its founding. The Sloss Furnaces Museum opened two years later, in 1983.
“Since that time, there have been at least three plans for what Sloss Furnaces should be, and some were kind of ridiculous,” David Arias, executive director of Sloss Furnaces, tells us, adding that this time, things are different.
“The area of Birmingham from our site to UAB has changed dramatically over the last 20 years,” he explains. “We’ve witnessed important additions like Railroad Park, Rotary Trail, renovations at Avondale Park, and the continued growth of the urban trail system. Our plans are intended to more closely tie Sloss Furnaces to these important regional destinations.”
David says that while the initial phase of fundraising for the project is through corporate and foundation leaders who “recognize Sloss Furnaces as a landmark civic space that honors those who forged our city and inspires those who will shape its next century,” there is a part for the community to play in bringing this dream to life.
“Transformational projects require support from our community,” he says, pointing to a public fundraising phase that will come down the line. Incremental renovations and fundraising are projected to be completed over the next three years, but some elements are set to debut in the next 12 months.
The Future of Sloss Furnaces
The next chapter of Sloss Furnaces aims to further connect the site to the city’s heartbeat. “Each element was an exciting part of a puzzle,” David shares. “We tried to include things that people would really enjoy — that would bring them back many times during the year.”
A new site hub is planned along 32nd Street, where the campus backs against Back Forty Beer Company, making it easier and better than ever to enjoy the neighboring mainstays. In this reimagined space, you can stroll across the boardwalk over a fountain pond and grab refreshments from the cafe.
Kids will be able to roam free in the play areas, including a climbing structure and a maze constructed from the foundation of an old reservoir, which can be rearranged to offer a new challenge each time you visit.
You’ll also be able to take in the views of the Magic City in a whole new way with the addition of an observation deck. Through the reconstruction of Hoist Tower, an elevator inspired by the original lift that once carried iron ore will transport visitors to the top of the furnaces.
In addition to the 90-foot platform, an elevated boardwalk will run along the old rail trestle, allowing you to look down on the boilers, stacks, and bustling railway below.
Sloss is also revitalizing the walk beneath the 1st Avenue North viaduct and the adjoining 16-acre field, which has been mostly used for extra parking. This sprawling greenspace will feature a manicured lawn with native plants, sculptural installations, and a beer garden, and will hold festivals, concerts, and events. Pedal-powered railcars will provide a unique way to explore the trail around the triangular-shaped field.
These new and improved trails and pathways will create a welcoming outdoor space on campus while also opening up more sidewalks and bike lanes to the rest of the city. They will further connect Sloss Furnaces to the Lakeview Entertainment District and to the Jones Valley Trail via the Hugh Kaul Trail, allowing you to walk or bike all the way from Sloss Furnaces to Railroad Park.
Metal Arts Program: Continuing the Ironworks Legacy in Birmingham
Sloss Furnaces continues its legacy as a major player in the ironworks industry through its Metal Arts Program, which is a focal point of the renovations. “The Metal Arts program is a hidden gem. It is the largest art-based iron and bronze casting program in the entire world,” David says.
The program’s six resident artists give hundreds of demonstrations each year, produce commissioned art, and hold paid summer internships for area high school students.
The Summer Youth Program offers a comprehensive introduction to ironworks, including casting iron, blacksmithing, welding, mold-making, hand sculpting, steel fabrication, and finishing. The new plans will create public viewing corridors and demonstration zones, putting this program front and center. There will also be a catwalk reminiscent of the vantage point that ironworkers had 100 years ago.
“The resident artists’ work will be incorporated into the entire site in a much better way, and we’re really excited about showing everyone what makes this program so special,” David shares.
Forging a New Era for Birmingham
Sloss Furnaces has been part of Birmingham’s story from the start, and its renovation plans will keep the institution growing and evolving alongside its home.
“Birmingham is changing in many new and exciting ways. Our Strategic Framework was designed in response to that growth, but also looking forward to how this amazing place can engage with our community in new ways,” David says. “We want Sloss Furnaces to be a place that is part of their lives.”
David says his dream is for Sloss Furnaces to continue to pour into the magic of the Magic City: “Families will play and explore dozens of new features, students will engage with history firsthand, artists and entrepreneurs will find space to create through our Metal Arts Program, and Sloss Furnaces will continue to host exciting events.”
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Katie Leigh Matthews
A Birmingham native, Katie is a lifelong waterfall chaser and is passionate about the outdoors. She also loves connecting with remarkable women in the Birmingham community and bringing their stories to life. Katie has been writing professionally for over six years; you can find more of her work at Moms.com and Islands.com.