Lewter District Opens in Downtown Huntsville, Showcasing $50M Mixed-Use Development
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — A new chapter in downtown Huntsville’s revitalization is underway following the grand opening of the Lewter District, a $50 million mixed-use development that blends historic preservation with modern construction.
Developed and constructed by Emergent Properties and RNGD, the 1.5-acre project officially opened April 14 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the city’s historic core. The Lewter District transforms the former site of the Lewter Hardware Co., a family-owned business that served the community for nearly a century before closing in 2022, into a live-work-dine destination.
The development integrates new construction with the adaptive reuse of the original hardware store, maintaining a connection to the site’s legacy while introducing new commercial, residential and office space.
Class A Office and Retail Anchor the Development
At the center of the project is 223 Washington St., a newly constructed five-story, 75,000-square-foot Class A office building. Designed by EskewDumezRipple, the building includes 4,500 square feet of ground-floor retail and modern office amenities such as oversized windows, custom brick masonry and a lobby featuring detailed millwork.
The building also incorporates off-street executive parking and opens onto a redesigned pedestrian corridor known as Lewter Way. Among its tenants is Maynard Nexsen, a national law firm that has relocated its Huntsville office to the top two floors.
Adjacent to the office structure, the historic Lewter Hardware building has been restored and repurposed. Its 5,500-square-foot first floor and outdoor areas now house Brick & Tin, a farm-to-table restaurant, bar and bakery. RNGD occupies a 2,400-square-foot office on the second level, supporting its continued expansion across the Southeast.
The residential component includes 14 luxury townhomes overlooking Big Spring Park. Designed by Sanders Pace Architecture, the residences feature rooftop mountain views, landscaped entryways and multiple private outdoor spaces, offering a high-end urban living experience within walking distance of downtown amenities.
Innovative Construction Delivery Method Speeds Timeline
RNGD served as the vertically integrated design-builder for the entire project, overseeing development, design and construction while also managing steel fabrication and prefabrication processes.
The company implemented its proprietary Renegade Delivery Method (RDM) for the office building, utilizing a prefabricated steel superstructure and panelized exterior envelope system. This approach reduced the construction timeline by approximately 30%, according to project officials.
“Seeing this new district come to life—from the first steel beam to today’s ribbon-cutting—validates our team's commitment to bringing a renegade spirit to everything we build,” said Wesley J. Palmisano, founder and CEO of RNGD and co-founder and manager of Emergent Properties. “By creating intentional spaces for people to gather, work, and put down roots, the Lewter District positions downtown Huntsville for a dynamic future.”
Development partner David Hecht, co-founder and manager of Emergent Properties, emphasized the project’s role in supporting downtown growth.
“Downtown Huntsville has real momentum, and the Lewter District is designed to build on it,” he said. “It’s a place rooted in the scale and character of the city's historic core, but designed for the way people live, work, and connect today.”
The Lewter District represents a broader trend in urban development, where historic preservation and modern construction converge to create dynamic, mixed-use environments that support economic growth and community engagement.
For more information:
Michael Fulkerson
225-223-9661
mfulkerson@rngd.com
Originally reported by RNGD.
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