ENSLEY, Ala.— For more than a century, Ensley High School stood as a pillar in its neighborhood, a landmark of Birmingham’s once-thriving industrial heart. Founded in 1901 to serve a community built around the massive U.S. Steel and American Cast Iron Pipe Company plants, the school’s three-story brick building, designed by architect David O. Whilldin, opened in 1908 and became a center of student life and community pride. After closing in 2006 and surviving a fire in 2018, the site at 2301 Avenue J was finally cleared in 2021, making way for a new chapter in Ensley’s story.
Ensley itself was born of bold industrial ambition. Incorporated in 1899 and annexed into Birmingham in 1910, the area was laid out with wide streets and early infrastructure, including separate storm and sanitary sewers—innovations for the time. The neighborhood flourished as a hub for steelmaking and manufacturing, with schools, churches and businesses springing up to support the growing population. But as industry declined in the late 20th century, so did Ensley’s fortunes, with many businesses and families leaving for other parts of the city.
Now, the site of the old high school is poised for transformation. Plans call for a carefully designed, mixed-use development with 244 apartments, a fresh food grocery in the old gym, a clubhouse, greenspace and community amenities. The city has committed $1.5 million to support the project, which is expected to inject new life and economic activity into the area. Developers have worked with local leaders and residents to ensure the project meets the needs of the community.
The redevelopment is just one part of a broader push to revitalize Ensley. Recent years have seen new affordable housing projects, ongoing efforts to restore the historic Ramsay-McCormack Building and renewed interest in the Ensley Business District. Business owners and long-time residents say they are hopeful these investments will attract new families and help restore the sense of community that once defined Ensley.
While the scale of needed revitalization is large, the neighborhood retains strong infrastructure and a sense of place. Downtown Ensley, with its wide streets and historic buildings, offers a canvas for thoughtful redevelopment. The high school project—and others like it—are seen as positive steps toward rebuilding not just buildings, but the social and economic fabric of a proud community.