America's First Office Park

In 1955, Ervin Jackson and Newman H. Waters developed the first office park in the United States. Since 1871, office buildings had been located in downtown Birmingham, so the concept of thousands of workers coming to a suburban workplace was a daring experiment. The plan succeeded and permanently changed the working habits of office employees across America. With low-rise buildings, free parking, easy access, beautiful surroundings, landscaping, fountains, and attractive architecture, the idea quickly spread across the country. Philip C. Jackson, Sr. was also instrumental in bringing Mountain Brook Office Park to fruition. Its successful beginning came through the contributions of various people, including architects Harry D. Hester and Lawrence S. Whitten, lead contractor F. R. Soar and Son, landscaper Hubert Norwood, and leasing agent Willis T. Snow of the Jackson Company.

Mountain Brook, Alabama · United States