Reviewed by: Ella Walton
Fairhope K-1 Center opens Nov. 19 as new home of Hatch innovation hub
Reading time: 3 minutes
Hatch Fairhope is moving into the former Fairhope K-1 Center, with move-in set for Oct. 1 and a public grand opening on Thursday, Nov. 19. The celebration falls on the same night as the Downtown Fairhope Christmas Tree Lighting.
Hatch grand opening at the Fairhope K-1 Center
Hatch is inviting the community to tour the new space at the K-1 Center at the public grand opening. The event includes:
- Guided tours of the facility
- Free food and refreshments
- A free gift while supplies last
- Family-friendly activities for all ages
Find more information on the Hatch at the K-1 Grand Opening event page.
Inside Hatch’s new Fairhope innovation hub
The 36,000-square-foot hub is Hatch’s new home in Fairhope. Plans include a kitchen and coffee area for members, a podcast room with cameras, offices and desk space. A display will also share the history of the K-1 Center.
Hatch is a collaboration between the City of Fairhope, the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance (BCEDA) and Coastal Alabama Community College.
It offers coworking space, educational programs and resources for technology-based startups, and says it has supported more than 1,500 founders and creators and helped attract $12.5M in funding since opening its first coworking space in 2020. Hatch plans to host its first full accelerator programs in the new space in 2026.
Fairhope K-1 Center renovation funding and construction
The city and BCEDA held a construction kickoff ceremony June 9, 2025. Attendees signed a symbolic wall that was later torn down. Rogers & Willard is leading the work under a $6.1 million renovation contract, and the project preserves the building’s historic exterior.
BCEDA secured grants from Innovate Alabama, which are paired with additional federal and state funding and the city’s investment.
The K-1 Center opened in 1925 as an elementary school in downtown Fairhope. It served local students for 86 years before closing in 2011. Up until Hatch’s plans were announced, the future of the K-1 Center had long been the subject of debate among residents and local officials.
At the 2025 ceremony, Fairhope Mayor Sherry Sullivan spoke about what the building means to the community:
“This project represents both a farewell and a bold new beginning. The K-1 Center holds cherished memories for generations of Fairhope residents.”
Sherry Sullivan, Fairhope mayor
BCEDA President and CEO Lee Lawson also spoke about the building’s next chapter:
“We are thrilled to reimagine the K-1 Center and the new opportunities for growth that these renovated spaces will bring to our community.”
Lee Lawson, president and CEO of the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance
Key dates
- Oct. 1: Hatch move-in day
- Nov. 19: Grand opening to the public
Hatch Fairhope: (251) 270-2670 | Website | Facebook
Current address: 55 S. Bancroft St., Ste. 338, Fairhope
Future K-1 Center address: 100 S. Church St., Fairhope
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9AM-5PM; Saturday by appointment; Sunday closed
