4501 Old Caldwell Mill Rd, Birmingham, AL 35242
(888) 378-9015

Living Near The Summit: Your Complete Neighborhood Guide to The Kenzie, Birmingham, AL

Your New Neighborhood at a Glance

The Kenzie Apartment Homes sits at 4501 Old Caldwell Mill Rd, Birmingham, AL 35242 — one of the most convenient addresses in the entire metro area. You are minutes from The Summit, one of the Southeast's premier lifestyle and dining destinations, with easy access to I-459 and Highway 280. Whether you are a young professional, a growing family, or someone relocating to Birmingham, the neighborhood around The Kenzie checks every box.

Apartments start at $1,000/month, with 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and townhome floor plans available ranging from 852 to 1,370 sq ft.

Shopping: The Summit and Beyond

The Summit is essentially your backyard. Birmingham's premier open-air lifestyle center sits just minutes from The Kenzie and features more than 100 stores, from everyday essentials to high-end retail. You will find Apple, Anthropologie, Pottery Barn, lululemon, and dozens of other national and local brands all within a short drive.

Need more options? Riverchase Galleria — Alabama's largest mall — is about 10 to 15 minutes away and adds another 200+ stores, a movie theater, and a hotel complex to your shopping repertoire.

Dining: From Casual to Fine

The restaurant scene around The Kenzie is genuinely excellent. Here are some standout options you will visit again and again:

  • Perry's Steakhouse and Grille — Named Birmingham's best steak by Birmingham Magazine readers and recipient of the 2025 Wine Spectator Award. Perfect for a special night out.
  • North Italia — Upscale Italian with handmade pasta and a great happy hour.
  • Fleming's Prime Steakhouse — Classic steakhouse with a strong wine program.
  • Village Tavern — A local favorite for weekend brunch and weeknight dinners.
  • Seasons 52 — Fresh, seasonal menu in an elegant atmosphere.
  • Culinary Dropout — Lively, casual spot with creative comfort food and craft cocktails.
  • Urban Cookhouse — Fast-casual Southern cooking with local ingredients, great for a quick lunch.

Beyond the Summit corridor, the Cahaba Heights neighborhood just down the road adds even more local dining gems to your rotation.

Outdoor Life: Nature Is Right at Your Door

Birmingham is one of the most underrated outdoor cities in the South, and The Kenzie's location puts you at the center of it.

Oak Mountain State Park is about 15 to 20 minutes away and is Alabama's largest state park at 11,861 acres. It has more than 100 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails — including a ride on the International Mountain Biking Association's list of EPIC rides. The park also has lakes with kayak and paddleboard rentals, making it a genuine weekend destination.

Cahaba River is a short drive and is the go-to spot for kayaking and canoeing in the Birmingham area. The river runs through protected greenway corridors with walking trails and dog-friendly paths — ideal for active residents and pet owners.

If you prefer something closer to home, the wooded surroundings along Old Caldwell Mill Rd give The Kenzie itself a peaceful, natural setting that most urban apartments simply cannot offer.

Schools: One of Birmingham's Best Districts

For families, The Kenzie's school situation is a genuine standout. The property falls within the Shelby County Schools district, and the nearest schools are all on Caldwell Mill Road — literally the same road as The Kenzie:

  • Oak Mountain Elementary School — Consistently rated among the top elementary schools in the Birmingham metro area.
  • Oak Mountain Intermediate School — Located at 5486 Caldwell Mill Rd, just down the road.
  • Oak Mountain High School — Located at 5476 Caldwell Mill Rd, one of Alabama's most recognized public high schools for academics and athletics.

Having top-rated schools within walking distance of your front door is rare — and it is one of the reasons families choose this neighborhood over others in the metro area.

Work and Commute: Central to Everything

The Kenzie's location along I-459 and Highway 280 gives you fast access to Birmingham's major employment centers:

  • UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham) — Alabama's largest employer with over 20,000 employees is roughly 8 to 10 miles away, about a 15 to 20 minute commute depending on traffic.
  • Regions Financial Corporation — One of the nation's largest banks is headquartered in downtown Birmingham, also reachable in 15 to 20 minutes via I-459.
  • Brookwood Medical Center and other healthcare employers — Birmingham is a healthcare hub, and several major hospital systems are within easy commuting distance.
  • Riverchase Office Park and surrounding business corridors — Dozens of corporate offices are within 10 minutes in the I-459 corridor itself.

For remote workers, The Kenzie offers fast in-unit internet, and the neighborhood has several coffee shops and co-working-friendly cafes nearby for a change of scenery.

Why The Kenzie

The combination of location, pricing, and quality of life in this part of Birmingham is hard to beat. You get walkable access to some of the city's best dining and shopping, top-rated schools on your street, nature minutes away, and a straightforward commute to every major employer in the metro area — all starting at $1,000 a month.

Floor plans range from cozy 1-bedroom apartments at 852 sq ft to spacious 2-bedroom townhomes at 1,370 sq ft. Every home has been renovated with modern kitchens, updated bathrooms, and open layouts designed for real life.

Ready to see it for yourself? Schedule a tour at The Kenzie and find out why this is one of Birmingham's most sought-after addresses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Kenzie's address?

The Kenzie Apartment Homes is located at 4501 Old Caldwell Mill Rd, Birmingham, AL 35242, in the Birmingham metro area near The Summit and I-459.

What schools serve The Kenzie neighborhood?

The Kenzie falls within the Shelby County Schools district. The nearest schools are Oak Mountain Elementary, Oak Mountain Intermediate, and Oak Mountain High School, all located on Caldwell Mill Road within a short distance of the property.

How far is The Kenzie from The Summit?

The Kenzie is just a few minutes from The Summit Birmingham, one of the Southeast's top open-air lifestyle and dining centers with over 100 stores and restaurants.

How far is the commute from The Kenzie to UAB?

The University of Alabama at Birmingham is approximately 8 to 10 miles from The Kenzie. The commute typically takes 15 to 20 minutes via I-459 and I-65.

What outdoor activities are near The Kenzie?

Oak Mountain State Park — Alabama's largest state park with over 100 miles of trails — is about 15 to 20 minutes from The Kenzie. The Cahaba River, popular for kayaking and hiking, is also nearby.

What are the starting rents at The Kenzie?

Apartments at The Kenzie start at $1,000 per month for a 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom floor plan. 2-bedroom apartments start at $1,200 per month, and the Lull Townhome starts at $1,449 per month.

The Kenzie Apartment Homes

Love the Location? Come See It for Yourself.

Schedule a tour at The Kenzie and discover why Birmingham's Inverness/Summit area is one of the city's most sought-after places to live.

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