La Paree’s coming down

02.18.2008 by Andre Natta · View Comments

La Paree restaurant sign

André Natta/Flickr

This longtime downtown Birmingham sign will soon be going away. Harbert Realty Services announced this morning that they will be demolishing the former La Paree restaurant, located at 2013 5^th Avenue North, to allow for more space in the planned 4-Diamond Marriott Renaissance Hotel. The $52 million luxury hotel will be contained in the former Regions Bank headquarters at the intersection of 5^th Avenue North and 20^th Street.

The landmark downtown eatery last served customers in December of 2003 after more than 60 years in business. The demolition will allow for the hotel to have 281 guest rooms instead of the original 255 as the new space can be used for a tremendous increase in restaurant and ballroom space.

Check out this transcript and audio clip from the Michael Matsos, a previous owner of the restaurant.

Filed under: 35203 · Business · architecture

StephenS

At least it's not being demolished for a parking lot... but i wish they could keep the original structure/front to keep some sense of history about the place.

Chad

Come on guys. La Paree was a good place to eat, but do you have any idea of how bad shape that building is in? I'm all for perserving old character is our city, but every old building can't just be refurbished.
More hotel space downtown will be good for downtown business and will spill over to downtown resturants and bars.

Melinda

Reminds of La Paree's tasty Greek chicken dish and how much I enjoyed going there for lunch.

Charles Amos Horn

That is, "developers" are out of touch with community.

Charles Amos Horn

I love how we just dynamited one "luxury" hotel, and now we see fit to create another...can't people see "luxury" hotels (an other upper crust catering things) are not a sustainable way to revitalize downtown? Give us more restaurants, a grocery store, more affordable housing, theaters....
Not more rich people who will come downtown, maybe to a convention, stay in the hotel and then leave! Good grief. The city is out of touch with community!