Developer: Construction on entertainment district to start in two months

The developer of The Forge, the entertainment district planned for downtown Birmingham, told a group of real estate professionals Thursday that the project could begin construction in the next 60 days.

John Elkington, head of development firm Performa Entertainment Real Estate, spoke at Birmingham Commercial Real Estate Women's monthly meeting at Vulcan Park on Thursday.

Birmingham's newest entertainment district is currently 82 percent leased, he said, with contracts and letters of intent signed by numerous restaurants and retailers.

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He said he expects that number to jump to 90 percent after attending the International Council of Shopping Centers annual convention in Las Vegas in May.

Birmingham's Brasfield & Gorrie LLC will serve as general contractor, while HKW Associates, also of Birmingham, designed the entertainment district.

Also, Elkington said he plans to meet Thursday night in Birmingham with AEG, owners of the Staples Center in Los Angeles and the Nokia Theater Times Square, to discuss the facilities operator constructing a 2,500 seat theater, with 110 dates a year guaranteed for events.

Others mentioned by Elkington that are either under contract or considering opening at The Forge include The Capital Grille, Red Rooster Bar and Music Hall, a bar and restaurant owned by comedian Jeff Foxworthy, a retail store for the Southeastern Conference and facilities for the Food Network, ABC 33/40 and Cox Radio to air segments.

He said he is still courting a second hotel for the development. Aloft Hotel, owned by Starwood Hotels, already has signed a deal to open a hotel in the development.