QUICK SUMMARY
Vestavia Hills’ business scene had a big August: Mobile-based Burton Property Group acquired the Publix-anchored Vestavia Hills City Center at 700 Montgomery Highway for $76 million, its first Birmingham-metro purchase, with plans to upgrade the 390,000-square-foot property. Meanwhile, four businesses recently opened their doors — The Kitchen by Market, Sequoia strength gym, Ace of the Hills hardware and Busy Brush Studio — and the Compton family is bringing a new 12,000–15,000-square-foot Ace Hardware to The Bray at Liberty Park. For homeowners, this level of retail investment is a strong vote of confidence in Vestavia Hills’ long-term value.
If you want a quick read on the health of a community, watch where investors and small businesses put their money. This month, the answer in Vestavia Hills is: everywhere. As reported by the Vestavia Voice, August brought a $76 million commercial acquisition, four new openings and a major coming-soon announcement for Liberty Park.
Who Bought Vestavia Hills City Center — and Why Does It Matter?
Burton Property Group, a Mobile-based real estate investment company, purchased Vestavia Hills City Center at 700 Montgomery Highway for $76 million. The 390,000-square-foot mixed-use retail and commercial property is anchored by Publix and home to favorites like Taco Mama and Starbucks.
Notably, this is Burton’s first acquisition in the Birmingham metro, and the company says it plans to upgrade the facility and create long-term value. When a regional investor makes its metro debut in your zip code and immediately commits to improvements, that’s a strong signal about the neighborhood’s trajectory — the kind of signal that supports home values across Greater Birmingham.
What New Businesses Just Opened in Vestavia Hills?
1. The Kitchen by Market — 1031 Montgomery Highway. The second location of Mountain Brook Village’s gourmet grocery, with grab-and-go meals, wraps, chicken salad and salads, open daily 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
2. Sequoia — 3244 Cahaba Heights Road. A strength training gym offering one-on-one and semi-private personal training, owned by NASM-certified trainer Kalvin Frelich.
3. Ace of the Hills — 680 Old Town Road on U.S. 31. A new hardware store from Chris and April Edwards, the owners of Rainbow Paint and Decorating, in a space nearly double the size of their paint store.
4. Busy Brush Studio — 1425 Montgomery Highway. Tori Dill’s paint-your-own pottery studio with classes for couples, kids’ camps and adult nights.
House-hunting in Vestavia Hills? Start with our Vestavia Hills community guide or call/text our Birmingham team at 205-292-7142.
What Is Coming Next to Liberty Park?
The Compton family — owners of Compton Ace Hardware at 4500 Montevallo Road and convenience store operators for 47 years — closed on July 21 on a one-acre lot in The Bray at Liberty Park, across from the Medical Properties Trust headquarters and next to the Publix-anchored Marketplace at The Bray.
The new Ace Hardware will run 12,000 to 15,000 square feet, larger than their Crestline Park store. The family hopes to be under construction by the end of 2026 and open about 12 months later — right as Liberty Park continues to grow as one of Vestavia’s most in-demand addresses.
What Does All This Mean for Vestavia Hills Home Values?
Retail follows rooftops — and reinvestment follows confidence. A nine-figure commercial sale, four fresh storefronts and a family business expanding into Liberty Park all point the same direction: Vestavia Hills remains one of the metro’s most durable places to own a home. Growth is showing up on the residential side too, with 19 new homes just approved in Cahaba Heights.
Whether you’re weighing a move up, a downsize or a first purchase, these fundamentals are exactly what you want behind your investment.
Wondering what your Vestavia Hills home is worth in this market? Get a free home valuation or text 205-292-7142.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Vestavia Hills City Center now?
Burton Property Group, a Mobile-based real estate investment company, acquired the 390,000-square-foot, Publix-anchored Vestavia Hills City Center at 700 Montgomery Highway for $76 million in its first Birmingham-metro acquisition.
What new restaurants or food options opened in Vestavia Hills in 2026?
The Kitchen by Market opened at 1031 Montgomery Highway next to The Picklr. It’s the second location of Market, the Mountain Brook Village gourmet grocery, offering grab-and-go meals daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
When will the new Ace Hardware open in Liberty Park?
The Compton family hopes to begin construction at The Bray at Liberty Park by the end of 2026 and open the 12,000-to-15,000-square-foot store roughly 12 months later.
Is Vestavia Hills a good place to buy a home right now?
Vestavia Hills combines top-rated schools with strong commercial reinvestment, as seen in the $76 million City Center acquisition and multiple new business openings. Those fundamentals historically support stable, long-term home values, though every buyer’s situation is different — a local agent can help you weigh timing and neighborhoods.
Thinking About Vestavia Hills?
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