Kirkwood by the River

08/29/2025

There's no place like home, especially on game day! With open floor plans, beautiful spacious kitchens, and screened-in porches, our cottages at Cedar Ridge are built for enjoying the best of life, including hosting friends for the big game! And if you're not interested in whipping up a game day spread, we've got you covered! Cedar Ridge residents can enjoy meals in one of our two Independent Living dining establishments on site.

Only four homes remain! Now's the time to secure your lot, just in time for football season. Contact Sandi Hall at 205-862-0305 or visit www.kirkwoodbytheriver.com/cedar-ridge for more information.

08/26/2025

Only TWO Laurels left in Phase 2 of Cedar Ridge at Kirkwood!

These beautiful two-bedroom, two-bathroom cottages in our Cedar Ridge neighborhood truly embody carefree living with an open concept design, abundant natural light, and inviting spaces. Imagine mornings on your beautiful front porch and evenings relaxing on your screened-in back patio. Plus, enjoy the convenience of a single-car garage, the amenities of our bustling campus, and the peace of mind of knowing your needs are met - from housekeeping, maintenance, yard work, and security to any healthcare needs that may arise in the future. The Laurel is calling YOU to Kirkwood!

Contact Sandi Hall at 205-862-0305 or visit www.kirkwoodbytheriver.com/cedar-ridge for more information!

08/21/2025

Breaking ground on a new chapter for Irondale! 🎉 🏗️ Our CEO and President, Chad Carter, as well as our Marketing Director, Sandi Hall, were on-site this morning with the City of Irondale for the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Irondale Civic Center. This incredible $20 million renovation of the former Zamora Temple is happening right down the road from Kirkwood, bringing more opportunities for entertainment and engagement even closer to our residents. Once completed, the Civic Center will feature a state-of-the-art conference hall, community meeting rooms, a fitness center, and an outdoor plaza with a splash pad, playground, and pavilion. Walking trails, pickleball courts, and an outdoor amphitheater will become recreational focal points - all easily accessible to our community! We are so excited to see this vision come to life!

08/15/2025

Only TWO Cumberlands left in Phase 2 of Cedar Ridge at Kirkwood! The Cumberland cottage, part of our premier Independent Living neighborhood, is at two-bedroom, two-bathroom modern mountain retreat. This open floor plan boasts a spacious vaulted ceiling and stone fireplace in the living room, two large bedrooms, two bathrooms, a two-car garage, luxury finishes, and ample storage. Experience the serenity of Kirkwood’s 120 acres on the Cahaba River from your screened-in back porch as you relinquish the burdens of home ownership and enjoy what matters most!

Contact Sandi Hall at 205-862-0305 or visit www.kirkwoodbytheriver.com/cedar-ridge for more information!

08/13/2025

We're so grateful for our Kirkwood volunteers! ❤️ As a non-profit Life Plan Community, we have many opportunities for friends of Kirkwood to volunteer across our campus. A special shout-out to our incredible "Menders," a group of women who generously provide free mending and repairs for our residents' clothing. Their kindness, skill, and dedication go above and beyond to help our residents feel cared for. Thank you, Menders, for making a difference one stitch at a time!

If you are interested in volunteer opportunities at Kirkwood, please contact creach@kirkwoodbytheriver.com to hear more about how you can contribute your skills, talents, and expertise to our community!

08/05/2025

Thank you, thank you very much! 🎤 Our residents loved the dynamic performance from an amazing Elvis impersonator right here at Kirkwood by the River! It was a joy to see so many smiles, hear favorite tunes, and relive some classic memories.

Our Life Enrichment Coordinator Claudia fills our calendars with so many opportunities for joy, engagement, and activity. With wellness classes, seminars, and performances on campus to trips to the symphony, local theatre shows, and favorite restaurants, we are living life to the fullest at Kirkwood by the River!

08/04/2025

Aloha from Kirkwood by the River! 🌺 Our summer luau was an absolute blast, transforming our community into a tropical paradise! Residents enjoyed delicious refreshments, lively music, and a fun performance from talented hula dancers. What a wonderful way to celebrate summer!

07/31/2025

A standing ovation for local talent! 🎭 Our Kirkwood residents recently enjoyed a delightful evening at South City Theatre in Pelham, where they were treated to a hilarious performance of Carol Burnett skits. It's always a pleasure to support the arts in our community, especially when it's a sold-out series bringing so much joy!

07/30/2025

Big news for Irondale and our Kirkwood by the River family! 🎉 Mayor James Stewart officially announced yesterday that Costco is coming to Irondale, and the best part? It will be located right down the road from our community!

Get ready for unparalleled convenience, incredible savings, and easy access to all your favorite bulk buys and more. This is another wonderful addition that enhances the vibrant lifestyle our residents enjoy here at Kirkwood!

⭐️Costco is Coming to Irondale⭐️

Mayor Stewart is proud to announce that Costco Wholesale Corporation is coming to Irondale with plans to develop a new 152,000 square-foot warehouse and self-service gas station at the southwest corner of Grants Mill Road and I-459. With a projected investment of over $105 million, this project represents the most significant single economic development in Irondale since the creation of the Irondale Luxury Automall.

This will be only the sixth Costco location in Alabama, and Irondale will be the smallest city in the state to host the retail giant— joining Hoover, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, and Madison.

“This is a defining moment for our city,” stated Mayor James D. Stewart, Jr. “Costco’s arrival shows that Irondale is open for business, ready for growth, and serious about attracting high-quality development. This project will not only create hundreds of jobs and generate millions in new revenue, but it also signals to other top-tier businesses that Irondale is a place where they can thrive. We are building a stronger, more vibrant future for our residents, and this is just the beginning of what’s ahead for our city.”

07/29/2025

Our residents find so much joy connecting with nature at Kirkwood by the River! Located on 120 acres on the Cahaba River, Kirkwood is surrounded with opportunities to relax amongst the trees. We are staying hydrated and choosing morning walks to avoid the high heat, and comfortable spots like the beautiful new benches across our campus help us to enjoy the fresh air and quiet moments outdoors. Staying refreshed and connected, even on hot summer days! 👋

07/28/2025

"While I hold fondness for some threads of the past, I am profoundly thankful for the tapestry of change. This willingness to embrace the new, to see it as potentially better, is not just practical; it is a deeply spiritual posture."

As we prepare to enter a new month at the end of this week, we invite you to visit https://kirkwoodbytheriver.com/chaplains-corner-celebrating-change/ for a reflection from The Rev. Dr. Cary Speaker on celebrating change.

07/23/2025

Nothing beats a classic! 😋 Kirkwood residents enjoyed a lunch outing to the iconic Irondale Cafe. From delicious Southern comfort food to wonderful company, it was the perfect way to spend an afternoon.

Did you know? Irondale Cafe was the inspiration for the Whistle Stop Cafe in Fannie Flagg's novel, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, and subsequently, the movie! Flagg's aunt, Bess Fortenberry, owned and operated the Irondale Cafe for many years. The cafe, located beside the train tracks, was a gathering place known for its fried green tomatoes, much like the fictional Whistle Stop Cafe. Irondale Cafe continues to serve its famous fried green tomatoes, maintaining its connection to the story and its place in local history. In addition to fried green tomatoes, Irondale Cafe serves southern staples, like fried chicken, collard greens, pies, cornbread dressing, macaroni and cheese, sweet potato soufflé, black eyed peas and much more! If you're looking for a spot to fill up on heartwarming, homemade dishes, look no further than Irondale Cafe!