The Birmingham area has lost a familiar roadside sight as Irondale removes the long-standing dome from the former Zamora Temple.
A Landmark Without Its Signature Dome
According to public updates from city officials, crews lifted the oversized onion-shaped dome off the building this week as part of a large-scale renovation of the property. The structure, built in the mid-1980s and easily spotted from Interstate 459, had been a source of curiosity for drivers for decades.
The city purchased the temple and surrounding acreage in 2022, beginning a multi-year transformation of the site. With the dome gone, one of the metro’s most recognizable silhouettes has officially disappeared from the skyline.
From Temple to Civic Center
The building has served many eclectic uses over the years — from meetings to sporting events to festivals — and will now take on a new civic purpose. Plans call for a 1,500-seat conference facility joined by flexible community rooms for gatherings and events.
The broader project spans nearly $20 million and aims to reshape the large property into a year-round public destination.
A New Public Space for 2026
When the Irondale Civic Center opens in 2026, it will feature outdoor amenities such as a splash pad, playground, pavilion space, walking paths, pickleball courts and an amphitheater. While the iconic dome won’t return, the redevelopment marks a new chapter for the site and for the community it anchors.
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