Aloft Hotel by Marriott
Madison City Council approved a development agreement with Madison Hotels VI, LLC to build an Aloft Hotel by Marriott adjacent to Toyota Field in Town Madison. The hotel will feature approximately 108 rooms and is expected to help accommodate visitors for the 2027 SEC Softball Tournament.
StudioRes by Marriott
Four-story, 100-room mid-scale extended-stay hotel by Marriott’s newest extended-stay brand. $15 million private development. Construction planned to start fall 2026 with an official groundbreaking ceremony scheduled soon. Expected to create 20 new jobs. Developers are Darshan Patel, Vishal Patel, and Harry Limbasiya, who previously developed the Candlewood Suites at 1381 Boiling Springs Road in Oxford.
El Palomino’s
El Palomino’s second location opening in the former Ard’s Seafood space. First full sit-down taqueria with ‘Waffle House-like’ seating and open-kitchen concept. Same family recipes with some new menu items. Hours: 9am-midnight Fri-Sat, 9am-9pm rest of week. Restaurant is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
Cajian
Fast-casual Cajun and Creole counter-service restaurant opening Saturday August 8, 2026 in the former Clean Eatz space on University Boulevard in downtown Tuscaloosa. Concept from restaurateur Pete Zimmer (CIA graduate) and New Orleans-born food truck operator Paige Blankley. Menu features gumbo, étouffée, po’boys, drunken chicken, red beans, debris fries, and rotating specialty nights. Quick-casual batch-cooking […]
Aloft Hotel by Marriott
Madison City Council approved a development agreement with Madison Hotel VI, LLC to build a 108-room Aloft Hotel by Marriott near Toyota Field in Town Madison. The hotel will also include a mini-golf course. The project is tied to the city hosting the SEC Softball Championship for four years beginning in 2027. No specific opening […]
Alum Tuscaloosa
Alum is a new luxury college-town hospitality concept backed by Derek Jeter. The Tuscaloosa debut property will be a 116,000-sq-ft development near the University of Alabama featuring 68 luxury condo-hotel units, a private members’ club, rooftop lounge, dining, meetings/events space, and a pool. Groundbreaking expected in coming weeks as of Aug 2026. No opening date […]
Raising Cane’s
Tuscaloosa’s first standalone Raising Cane’s location opening on August 24, 2026 at the corner of McFarland and 13th Street. Previously the site of Made in Mexico, military recruiting centers, and a closed Wing Zone. Part of a seven-restaurant nationwide expansion celebrating Cane’s 30th anniversary. A grand opening celebration is expected with details to be announced.
Big Whiskey’s American Restaurant and Bar
Big Whiskey’s American Restaurant and Bar announced a new franchise location in Trussville, AL (Jefferson County). The chain is known for cocktails, spirits, steaks, seafood, and Southwestern dishes. No specific opening date was provided. Two additional Missouri locations were also announced. The franchise already has existing Alabama locations in Alabaster and Hoover.
AC Hotel and Element Hotel (dual-branded)
Dual-branded AC Hotel and Element Hotel development converting the historic Brown Marx Tower into 338 guest rooms with additional amenities. Construction is actively underway with road closures in effect. Northbound lane of 20th Street North closed; southbound lane closure planned for a later phase.
Aloft Hotel by Marriott (Town Madison)
Madison City Council approved a development agreement with Madison Hotel VI, LLC to build a 108-room Aloft Hotel by Marriott near Toyota Field in Town Madison. The hotel will also include a mini-golf course. Development is tied to the city hosting the SEC Softball Championship starting in 2027.