Once an empty middle school, Campus No. 805 stands as one of Huntsville’s most vibrant and beloved destinations. This week, city leaders, partners, and tenants gathered to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the adaptive reuse project that transformed the former Stone Middle School into a thriving hub for craft breweries, restaurants, live music and community gatherings.
“When we bought this property, there was no master plan – just the hope that we could create something meaningful for the community,” said Randy Schrimsher, owner of Campus No. 805. “What started as a simple idea has turned into a place where people come to celebrate, hear live music, discover new food and drink, and just enjoy being together. The real success belongs to our tenants, our city partners, and the people of Huntsville who embraced this vision from the very beginning.”
Campus No. 805 opened in 2015 with Straight to Ale and Yellowhammer Brewing as anchor tenants. Since then, the campus has grown to include a wide range of businesses, from breweries and dining spots to laser tag, ballroom dancing, the state’s largest tattoo parlor, and even a hidden speakeasy. About 80 percent of the original tenants remain today, alongside new creative concepts that continue to expand the campus’s energy and appeal.
Mayor Tommy Battle praised the project as a model of successful collaboration.
“Ten years ago, no one knew what this campus might become, but by working together, we preserved the history, reimagined the space and created something Huntsville had never seen before,” Battle said. “Campus No. 805 isn’t just a place to grab a drink or catch a band – it’s
where Huntsville comes together. It’s become part of our identity as a city that invests in quality of life and knows how to have a little fun.”
The project’s success reflects the strength of Huntsville’s public-private partnerships, said Shane Davis, Huntsville’s Director of Urban & Economic Development.
”This is what a successful partnership looks like,” Davis said. “The City provided infrastructure support, while private partners brought creativity and capital. The results have been incredible – millions in new tax revenue, hundreds of jobs, visitors from across the region, and new development along the western corridor and Governors Drive. Campus No. 805 sparked new interest in urban renewal, and we’ve carried that same model across Huntsville.”
To mark the anniversary, Campus No. 805 is hosting a month of special activities, including:
- Mural Unveiling – A new public artwork celebrating the spirit of Campus No. 805.
- Report Card Challenge (Sept. 1–20) –Patrons can take part in a free activity at each tenant location, collect stamps on a “report card,” and redeem it for a swag bag of prizes.
- Three-Day Music Festival (Aug. 18–20) – Presented in partnership with the Huntsville Music Office’s 805 After 5 series, the festival will feature:
- Thursday: Bone Yard of Brass, 5 p.m., and Saxsquatch, 6–9 p.m.
- Friday: GypsySoul, 5 p.m., and Juice 7–9 p.m.
- Saturday: Boot Scootin’ Boogie Nights, 5–9 p.m.
The Saturday festival will also include outdoor inflatables and games for kids, plus smaller inflatables in the cafeteria for younger children.
Huntsville Music Officer Matt Mandrella said the anniversary is a perfect showcase for the city’s music scene.
“Our 805 After 5 monthly concerts have brought amazing talent to Butler Green on the 3rd Thursdays, and this year we’re excited to join the Campus 10th anniversary celebration, and expand the series during Huntsville Music Month into a three-night festival experience, with a stellar lineup of music, great food, and community – everything this place is all about.”
As Schrimsher noted, the campus name itself honors the neighborhood’s history.
“This site has been home to UAH’s first classrooms, Butler High School and Stone Middle School. We wanted to keep that legacy alive, so we took the last three digits of the local zip code and named it Campus No. 805,” he said.
Mayor Battle summed up the milestone: “Ten years later, Campus No. 805 is proof that when you mix vision, creativity and partnership, you don’t just transform a building – you transform a community.”
