Baton Rouge Growth and Development

[richyb83]

^Yeah I'm not thrilled about Woman's Hospital moving further out either....last week it was announced(couldn't find on web) that a 100+-acre neighborhood was going to be built on the other side down Airline Hwy near Barringer-Foreman Rd.

Some more news closer to LSU...

Birmingham firm starts work on LSU area apartments

Capstone Development has started work on The Cottages of Baton Rouge, a 382-unit student housing complex on Ben Hur Road and Nicholson Drive. The development, which will take up 50 acres, will have nearly 1,300 bedrooms, including waterfront units. "This is all based off of the student population and the need for nice places," says Amanda Wallis, the senior vice president for Birmingham, Ala.-based Capstone's Cottages Division. Capstone developed the Fieldhouse, a condominium development near Tiger Stadium, catering to the LSU gameday crowd. The Cottages will be a mix of housing units, ranging from one- to five-bedroom units, spread among cottages and larger "lodge buildings.” The development will feature a clubhouse, pool and bocce court. Wallis wouldn't give the price tag of the entire development, but says the first 159 units, totaling 583 bedrooms, will be open by fall 2010.

:: Baton Rouge Business Report :: Real Estate Weekly

Edited October 27, 2009 by richyb83

[dan326]

Cortana is getting new construction! Well on the outskirts, but hey, it's a start.

Company picks new BR site

"Since the day after 9/11, when Orion opened its doors, company sales have zoomed from zero to $17 million in eight years. To commemorate that growth, welder Hue Nguyen, of Baton Rouge, and production scheduler Kristy Moss, of Gonzales, unfurled a banner from the rafters of their 18,000-square-foot building, a banner reading “great people, great spirit, great companies” and picturing a new 43,500-square-foot building that will house staff beginning in October 2010 on Oak Villa Boulevard, just north of Cortana Mall."

http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/business/67092842.html

[richyb83]

Good to see the expansion; even better they decided to stay in BR! Saw where Houston & Mobile were also possiblities... That large area of undeveloped land zoned-industrial never took off like they wanted after the Tom Drive/Oak Villa Blvd extensions were built. Plenty of room to develop BR from the inside-out.

[dan326]

"Orion Instruments will start construction a 43,500 square foot facility north of Cortana Mall early next year. The company, which has 70 workers, will add 35 jobs. Chenevert Architects designed the building."

[richyb83]

Thanks for posting this....saw this in Real Estate Weekly...nice looking building and addition to the area Glad they decided to stay in BR and not move to Houston or Mobile.

As a lifelong resident of BR...can't get enough of this view ...amazing what a couple of new 12-story buildings can do for the southern end of the Fourth Street corridor; actually looks more like a CBD with these additions

II City Plaza(left); 19th Judicial Courthouse(right) nearly complete

*taken a few weeks back thru front wind-shield ; pardon the clarity

[cajun]

As a lifelong resident of BR...can't get enough of this view .

Buy a condo downtown...you'll get to see it all day.

[richyb83]

Ha ha...That might be a strong possibility if I was still single...but got a family with a 2 1/2 year-old and another on the way....like my yard with basketball goal too much

Edited November 11, 2009 by richyb83

[dan326]

Congratulations!! :w00t: I know it sounds kind of corny, but I just feel like we've all sort of "grown up" since this board started up. Cheers to everyone!

Ha ha...That might be a strong possibility if I was still single...but got a family with a 2 1/2 year-old and another on the way....like my yard with basketball goal too much

Edited November 13, 2009 by dan326

[richyb83]

Thanks Dan...no doubt time flies; esp after high school...I'm still trying to grow up

Lincoln Theatre on Mrytle Street at Eddie Robinson Drive....hope renovations start soon?? This abandoned building has also housed a pharmacy and barber shop

Here's the older article from back in May...

Black History Hall of Fame buys landmark

http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/business/40764137.html

[richyb83]

I hope the Ass-0ciation is happy with this!! What a mess...

Developer drops out of Capitol Lofts; project on hold

The proposed Capitol Lofts apartment complex in Spanish Town that has ignited a firestorm of controversy in the historic neighborhood is dead, at least for the time being. Developer David Slaughter—who signed a purchase agreement with property owner Richard Preis last summer to buy 1.2 acres for the project, including seven houses that would have to be torn down—was unable to secure financing for the deal. Preis says he will decide early next year whether to keep the rental properties, sell them or partner with another developer. Preis says he has been approached by three or four interested parties, but so far has no specific plans. The fact that the project is not going forward at this time is unrelated to the battle that has been going on with city’s Historic Preservation Commission over the condition of the seven homes that would have been torn down to make way for the Capitol Lofts.

*Entire article...

http://www.businessreport.com/archives/daily-report/2009/nov/19/1326/

[dan326]

"—The Louisiana Housing Finance Agency plans to knock down an abandoned apartment complex at North Boulevard and North 17th Street, and replace it with a mixed-use development. The project, called Capital City South, will use federal-stimulus funds. Plans are to replace all 68 residential units; no other details were given"

"Work set to begin on Goodwood townhomes

Construction is set to begin within a month on the first townhomes in Madison Square, a development at the intersection of Goodwood Boulevard and Lobdell Avenue. Jerry Del Rio, who is marketing the property, says the townhomes will sell for between $445,000 and $525,000. "This is going to be an upscale complex," says Del Rio. "It will be a winner because of the location." The townhomes will range in size between nearly 2,000- to 2,343-square-feet and feature amenities such as high ceilings, ceramic tile and crown molding. Rick Cappo bought the 3.8-acre tract in August 2007, one of the few prime undeveloped areas of land in the middle of Baton Rouge. But Cappo's plans to build condos on the site ran into trouble with financing, says Del Rio. The key to getting financing was converting the project to townhomes, so people could own the property. Plans are to eventually build 43 units in Madison Square. "We're working on presales now," says Del Rio."

I wonder what they're going to do with this?

"Baton Rouge landmark hotel sold

Once a local landmark, the Bellemont Hotel fell into disrepair throughout the years. Though it appeared to have closed to guests, it might have still played host to events such as gun-and-knife shows in its Great Hall. The property, on Airline Highway between Greenwell Springs Road and Winbourne Avenue, sold Friday for $525,000, according to representatives of Stirling Properties and Coldwell Banker One. The hotel had 305 guest rooms, while the Great Hall conference center comprised 32,000 square feet, according to a sales listing. The site is about 18 acres, says Pam Coxe, the selling agent along with Debbie Accardo of Coldwell. "This place has history that's unbelievable," says Coxe, noting that she's been trying to sell the Bellemont for perhaps 13 years. In that time, entropy took over. "That's total neglect," she says. Dottie Tarleton, vice president with Stirling and the listing agent for the property, says, "We used to have our college sorority and fraternity formals over there. The hotel has deteriorated over the years." The hotel played host to a first-responders clinic after Hurricane Katrina, and Ron Paul made a presidential-campaign stop at the Great Hall in January 2008. The site certainly looks worse for wear in an entry in the blog Abandoned Baton Rouge, which noted moldy carpet in the lobby and a collapsed roof and fallen chandelier in one area in May 2008. In September 2008, The Advocate reported that a man living at the hotel was beaten to death and found in his room, while another resident was arrested in the killing."

businessreport.com

[cajun]

The Belmont sold for $525,000?

Wasn't this at one time one of larger hotels in town? Now they are finding dead bodies there.....

It's not really an interesting looking building. It was cheesy way back when it was open. I hope for nothing short of total demolition. It's a large site on the corner of two highways...prime location for some sort of job center.

[dan326]

I keep seeing a Walmart going up there or dare I say .. a Target.

[byrde]

I'd be cool with a Target going there.

The Bellemont was a nice hotel way back in the day, but the mid-80's is when it started to take a turn. Prior to then, when ever any of the big boys in the SEC came to town, that's where they'd stay. Same with celebrities.

[richyb83]

The plight of the Bellemont has been a painful one; only thing I can remember ever going on fairly recent was those big cheap extravaganza sales...like cajun said...some kind of job center; Super Wal-Mart is too close at the near-by Cortana.

Always wondered if something would be built on at the small vacant field at the intersection of Goodwood & Lobdell...nice location next to Independence Park/Main Library & Towne Center.

[richyb83]

Was going to put this in old Northgate thread...FINALLY?? This is prime property...

Building permit filed for LSU area shopping center

Permits have been filed with the city-parish for a new shopping center on Highland Road, at the site of the old University Shopping Center. The Northgate Retail Center would have 17,778 square feet for retail and restaurants and the value of construction is estimated at $2.9 million. Campus Apartments, a Philadelphia-based company, bought the site in 2007 for $4.1 million. The company announced plans to build a mixed-use development that would include student housing and retail. Those plans have been slowed by the recession, but in recent months, two New Orleans-based commercial Realtors put up signs on the property.

http://www.businessreport.com/archives/real-estate-weekly/latest/

[richyb83]

Could have gone in a few different threads...more activity the "hot" Nicholson corridor between Downtown & LSU...the pieces to the puzzle are coming together!

Wampold deal another sign for Old South Baton Rouge

Mike Wampold bought an old Sears warehouse off Nicholson Drive at the end of 2009 for $350,000. Wampold's purchase of the 32,000-square-foot building on McClung Street, next to the old Prince Murat Inn site, is another hopeful sign for development for a section between downtown and LSU. He plans to market the property along with an adjoining two acres, giving potential tenants frontage and parking on Nicholson, says Chad Ortte with Donnie Jarreau Real Estate, who represented Wampold. That frontage, along with the concrete building, allows for a number of developments that would be good catalysts for the stretch of Nicholson, Ortte says.

Wampold is the latest high-profile developer to make an investment in Old South Baton Rouge.

*Jarreau plans to build 11 single-family cottages at Oklahoma Street. Work should be starting soon on that project.

*Stephen Keller, who developed Towne Center at Cedar Lodge, has teamed with Mike Moreno for the River District mixed-use development. Demolition has already started for River District.

*Plans are still in the works to develop the old Prince Murat site; the most recent project called for a mix of apartments, retail and office space.

And the East Baton Rouge Parish Redevelopment Authority has made Old South Baton Rouge one of its priorities. "There's a lot of activity happening in that area," Ortte says.

http://www.businessreport.com/archives/real-estate-weekly/latest/

[cajun]

Could have gone in a few different threads...more activity the "hot" Nicholson corridor between Downtown & LSU...the pieces to the puzzle are coming together!

Wampold deal another sign for Old South Baton Rouge

Mike Wampold bought an old Sears warehouse off Nicholson Drive at the end of 2009 for $350,000. Wampold's purchase of the 32,000-square-foot building on McClung Street, next to the old Prince Murat Inn site, is another hopeful sign for development for a section between downtown and LSU. He plans to market the property along with an adjoining two acres, giving potential tenants frontage and parking on Nicholson, says Chad Ortte with Donnie Jarreau Real Estate, who represented Wampold. That frontage, along with the concrete building, allows for a number of developments that would be good catalysts for the stretch of Nicholson, Ortte says.

Wampold is the latest high-profile developer to make an investment in Old South Baton Rouge.

*Jarreau plans to build 11 single-family cottages at Oklahoma Street. Work should be starting soon on that project.

*Stephen Keller, who developed Towne Center at Cedar Lodge, has teamed with Mike Moreno for the River District mixed-use development. Demolition has already started for River District.

*Plans are still in the works to develop the old Prince Murat site; the most recent project called for a mix of apartments, retail and office space.

And the East Baton Rouge Parish Redevelopment Authority has made Old South Baton Rouge one of its priorities. "There's a lot of activity happening in that area," Ortte says.

http://www.businessr...-weekly/latest/

I'm very interested to see what's in store for this area.

I know it's not to everyone's liking, but all of the completed projects along Nicholson on both the north and south gates of LSU have really helped clean up the area. It's starting to remind me of Washington Ave in Houston (west-central, inside the loop), where older housing, commercial/industrial storage facilities, and blighted properties were either rebuilt or replaced with more contemporary style homes and businesses....and unfortunately some strip malls. That area has attracted a lot of yuppies, and is probably one of the several hot "inner loop" areas in Houston right now that continues to progress despite the economic downturn. The progress seems to be driven by housing construction and the need to be closer to work (that area is between houston's uptown and downtown business districts), while the retail and entertainment venues came after the housing came.

If these units sell, and more development is pushed in this area, I can easily see some shopping going in there.

Nicholson drive is on the Green Light plan, scheduled to be widened to a four lane commuter blvd with bike paths and 5' sidewalks btw Burbank and Ben Hur. Does anyone know if the section between LSU and Downtown is going to be replaced? New sidewalks, pavement rehab, cross walks, and new pole lights would really help dress the area up.

Edited January 20, 2010 by cajun

[buckett5425]

[quote name='cajun' date='19 January 2010 - 07:11 PM' timestamp='1263949881' post='1103096'

Nicholson drive is on the Green Light plan, scheduled to be widened to a four lane commuter blvd with bike paths and 5' sidewalks btw Burbank and Ben Hur. Does anyone know if the section between LSU and Downtown is going to be replaced? New sidewalks, pavement rehab, cross walks, and new pole lights would really help dress the area up.

[richyb83]

More infil....looks like it should be approved for rezoning on Monday

Old South BR condos proposed

The Gulf Coast Housing Partnership is looking to put a 59-unit condo development with 4,000 square feet of retail space at Highland Road and Oklahoma Street in Old South Baton Rouge. The partnership has been amassing properties that make up the 1.7-acre, triangular site for about three years, James said. It includes a former gas station at the northern end that has been cleaned up and a house on the southern end that will be relocated.

James said the project will help complement the ongoing redevelopment efforts between downtown and LSU. “There’s stuff happening all around, on Nicholson and at the far end of Highland near LSU, so we’re hoping to continue on with the redevelopment of Old South,”

http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/business/82471117.html

[buckett5425]

Great infill project but at $120 sqft I'm skeptical of is potential success. Any thoughts?

[dan326]

Neat project! Hopefully this marks the end of our development drought. $120 does seem a little pricey though.

Edited January 24, 2010 by dan326

[cajun]

Great infill project but at $120 sqft I'm skeptical of is potential success. Any thoughts?

$120/square foot is normal for this type of development. I'm impressed. I'd have never thought that downtown area's first "new" housing development would be in Old South.

As for the price, you have to think about this: It's not selling to people with kids. It's selling to DINKs and Yuppies (or maybe just "uppies")...both have disposable income and nothing to dispose it on but cars, clothes, and housing.

And considering that, as an owner, you can always screw over LSU students on rent......Times are changing. Baton Rouge is growing, but it's filling up with younger singles and younger couples. The folks with kids are moving to the 'burbs.

Edited January 24, 2010 by cajun

[dan326]

"New women’s boutique, gallery, and restaurant coming to downtown

Developers Brace Godfrey Jr. and John Schneider announced three new projects today they say could open by April. Third Street Boutique, an ensemble of up to eight women’s boutique stores in the Baton Rouge area, is planned for Kress @ Third & Main. Schneider says the participating boutiques aren’t being announced yet because agreements have not been finalized. Also planned: the Kress Memorial Gallery, which will include exhibits from the Civil Rights era. The gallery is inside the old Kress cafeteria, where Southern University students held a sit-in protest against segregation 50 years ago. Fete Viande, derived from French words meaning “feast” and “meat,” will offer quick lunches, fine dining in the evening and a full bar. The restaurant will be in the same building as the former Welsh and Levy Fine Clothing Store. The three condos for sale and 16 units for lease in Kress @ Third & Main will all be occupied as of Feb. 1, the developers say. "

"Planning Commission to vote on townhomes, condos

The city-parish Planning Commission is set to vote today on allowing a 45-unit townhome development on Old Jefferson Highway. Developer Greg Cramer wants to build the Stromberg Townhouses between Mourning Dove and Quinn drives. The Planning Commission staff has recommended approving the project at its meeting today. Another townhome development, the 28-unit Red Stick Lofts II on Old Hammond Highway, is also on the agenda. Staffers have recommended rezoning to facilitate approval of the project, which will consist of two-bedroom units, each with about 1,770 square feet. A project to build 59 condo units in Old South Baton Rouge is also on the agenda. The infill project on Highland Road, near Terrace Avenue, will include 4,000 square feet of retail space. Finally, a fourth infill project, the 20-unit Delores Place townhouses, will be considered. The project at Flannery Road and Delores Drive is proposed to include two-bedroom units, on lots just under 4,000 square feet."

From The Business Report

[richyb83]

I like this dude's attitude..it would be nice to see some of the surface parking lots along Fourth Street fil-up!

Preis buys downtown parking lot

Richard Preis has purchased a 0.22-acre parking lot downtown for $487,424. Preis bought the land, on Fourth Street, across from St. James Episcopal Church, in a deal that closed Friday. At the time of the deal, the land was owned by the Reitzel family; it lies adjacent to an existing parking lot Preis inherited from his family, giving him about a half-acre of downtown land. He plans to operate the two sites as one parking lot, though "all options are open." "I believe in downtown," says Preis, who has been working for years on an upscale condominium development fronting the Mississippi River downtown.

http://www.businessreport.com/archives/daily-report/latest/

Another article...

He said he’s been approached by people with an interest in developing the property but plans to keep it a parking lot for the time being. He said that with the new courthouse opening up, parking downtown is “a better investment than the stock market.”

http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/business/83275347.html

Edited February 1, 2010 by richyb83