Photo by Kelli S. Hewett.
The former Spark by Hilton Hotel is now under major renovations.
Demolition and rebuilding are underway at a former Colonnade-area hotel that will become long-term housing for military veterans in early 2027.
The former Spark by Hilton Hotel property, at 4300 Colonnade Parkway, is now part of a growing national network of “Veterans’ Villages,” spearheaded by the Tunnel to Towers Foundation of New York.
“We’re gutting the property,” said Gavin Naples, executive vice president of Tunnel to Towers. “We’re building back a beautiful home for our men and women heroes, approximately 110 long-term supportive housing units.”
Public donations, not tax dollars, pay for projects. The city of Birmingham approved a $9.2 million remodeling permit in July.
Rendering courtesy of Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
Rendering of the future Tunnel to Towers veterans’ village near U.S. 280.
New studio apartments are slated for the upper floors. Downstairs will include a collection of support spaces, including libraries, gyms, multi-purpose rooms, dining rooms, screening rooms, game rooms, workforce development areas and case management suites.
The Birmingham project is part of a broader national push.
Tunnel to Towers already operates similar properties in cities such as Houston, Atlanta, Charleston and Memphis, with new sites progressing in Denver, Harrisburg and Detroit.
“We have about 20 projects currently under development, and we’ll build over 100 veterans’ villages in the next decade for over 12,000 units of permanent supportive housing,” Naples said.
State Sen. Andrew Jones of Centre, who is chairman of the state Senate Military Veterans and Public Safety Committee, said support runs throughout Alabama for the innovative concept.
“It’s something that’s needed, and I think it’s going to have a tremendous impact,” Jones said.
In addition to housing, the foundation runs a national case management network that helps veterans and their families secure housing and services wherever they live.
“Any veteran in the United States, all 50 states or U.S. territories, calls our foundation and we’re able to provide them direct financial assistance to get them housed in their area,” Naples said.
Applications for the Birmingham village will be accepted starting this fall.
By the end of 2026, the program will have provided housing assistance and access to support services to over 27,500 veterans across the nation — and over 15,000 of their children, Naples said.
The foundation emphasizes both quality and security at its sites, noting that the Birmingham building was chosen in part for its interior-corridor design and proximity to the downtown Birmingham Veterans Affairs office.
There is no time limit on how long veterans can stay. Program fees are intentionally kept low, including utilities, transportation to and from the VA, and on-site services.
All applicants are carefully screened.” This is not a handout, it’s a hand up,” Naples said.
The foundation members see each village as a long-term community asset.
“This is always going to be a beacon of pride for Birmingham,” Naples said. “We want the community to come out, get involved and participate in any way they want to.”
For more on Tunnel to Towers veterans’ services, call 718-987-1931 or visit t2t.org.
