Hotel King

[yis2003yis]

I almost stayed at the Hotel Indigo in Houston a few weeks ago but opted for a Courtyard because it had a pool. The reviews for the Indigo were good, if i remember correctly. Guests said multiple times that it was very colorful inside. It'll be nice to see this building painted.

I wish they light it up real nice like the holiday inn off college....i think that would stand out downtown

[richyb83]

Thanks for all the imput! I hope they do some nice exterior lighting too! Really dig those green lights outside the Holiday Inn too!

I would really like for them to reconsider the rooftop terrace/glass atrium on top! Shown in this rendering...

The latest article from the Advocate says this hotel is 8-stories; but only if you include that boxed addition; whatever that is...actually the hotel is 7-stories

*Here's the article

http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/business/50813522.html

[dan326]

This is so exciting!! We're really moving up in the world. Not to get picky, but that would have also been a good spot to put the W aLoft.

[buckett5425]

This is so exciting!! We're really moving up in the world. Not to get picky, but that would have also been a good spot to put the W aLoft.

While agree with you Dan, that I would love for a W aloft brand hotel to locate downtown, I do disagree on the location. Starwood Hotels has a history of renovating older structures for their W brand, and for that, I think the old commerce building would be a great location. But, in terms of an aLoft, I would rather them build a new modern looking building anyway to contribute to downtown.

On another note, I dont remember if I mentioned this before, but I have a friend who has recently been promoted to Vice President of Branding for Starwood Hotels. Hes been coming to Baton Rouge weekly and meets with Spinoza about building a W Hotel at Perkins Rowe. As for when the project will be announced or break ground, I am not sure. But, it is Starwood building the hotel, not Spinoza, so it shouldn't be tied up in any of the legal or money matters, and therefore be more likely to make it off the ground soon. My friend also tells me they are looking to build an aLoft near the airport in Howell Place, to feed off the proposed airport expansion, but that project is still some time away.

[dan326]

Wow, a real W? For Baton Rouge??

This SO exciting. And an aLoft?!

Does your friend know what made the company consider Baton Rouge for a W? My guess is because we're a super sports town, is that close? I sure hope we get the W though, even if it's "starter" sized.

While agree with you Dan, that I would love for a W aloft brand hotel to locate downtown, I do disagree on the location. Starwood Hotels has a history of renovating older structures for their W brand, and for that, I think the old commerce building would be a great location. But, in terms of an aLoft, I would rather them build a new modern looking building anyway to contribute to downtown.

On another note, I dont remember if I mentioned this before, but I have a friend who has recently been promoted to Vice President of Branding for Starwood Hotels. Hes been coming to Baton Rouge weekly and meets with Spinoza about building a W Hotel at Perkins Rowe. As for when the project will be announced or break ground, I am not sure. But, it is Starwood building the hotel, not Spinoza, so it shouldn't be tied up in any of the legal or money matters, and therefore be more likely to make it off the ground soon. My friend also tells me they are looking to build an aLoft near the airport in Howell Place, to feed off the proposed airport expansion, but that project is still some time away.

[richyb83]

Hotel Indigo should be a nice compliment to the Hilton Capitol Center across the street...just wish they had kept the original plan with the roof-top terrace

Renovations start on downtown Hotel Indigo

The owners of the Hotel King downtown have closed on financing and work has started to renovate the property and turn it into a Hotel Indigo. The 93-room Hotel Indigo is set to open in late 2010 at the corner of Convention and Lafayette streets. John Schneider, who is redeveloping the hotel with his partner, Brace Godfrey Jr., says it took 39 months to secure financing for the $25 million project. The Hotel Indigo will feature upscale guest rooms with flat screen TVs and CD players, along with free wi-fi and the Phi Bar and Bistro. Hotel Indigo has 31 properties across the world and is slated to open four U.S. properties by the end of the year in New York, Miami, San Antonio, Texas, and Asheville, N.C

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

[dan326]

I was wondering what happened to this.

Renovations start on downtown Hotel Indigo

The owners of the Hotel King downtown have closed on financing and work has started to renovate the property and turn it into a Hotel Indigo. The 93-room Hotel Indigo is set to open in late 2010 at the corner of Convention and Lafayette streets. John Schneider, who is redeveloping the hotel with his partner, Brace Godfrey Jr., says it took 39 months to secure financing for the $25 million project. The Hotel Indigo will feature upscale guest rooms with flat screen TVs and CD players, along with free wi-fi and the Phi Bar and Bistro. Hotel Indigo has 31 properties across the world and is slated to open four U.S. properties by the end of the year in New York, Miami, San Antonio, Texas, and Asheville, N.C.

[dan326]

^ It happened again.

^

[buckett5425]

I was wondering what happened to this too. This is great news!

[buckett5425]

Just to stress the point, and the good news. After I got off work tonight, I noticed they had already started assembling the scaffolding at the Hotel King. So there is no doubt, its official!

[nquint1]

Gotta love Cyntreniks. They definitely make things happen. Maybe they'll buy the old EBRATS building

[byrde]

Happy to see this thing is moving. It will be nice to have two classy hotels downtown right across the street from each other. This will help the city sell more conventions and events downtown. The Sheraton just south of the River Center and the Hilton and Hotel Indigo to the north. All with in walking distance of the RiverCenter and downtown entertainment. Now we need a family friendly hotel downtown like a Holiday Inn Express, Hampton or Fairfield Inn so we can attract families traveling on a budget.

[richyb83]

Totally agree Bryde

This Hotel Indigo in San Diego caught my attention; realize it was built from the ground up. Just hope the historic structure here in BR does not stay the blinding white it is now...any kind of slight modifications(if possible) might be welcomed.

I have always wanted a high-rise(NEW Tallest/ at least 23-floors) riverfront convention center hotel for BR... that might look something like this hotel on the right!...BR's Tallest Hotel(Marriott/22-floors) happens to be about 4 miles away off I-10/College Drive...it would be nice to see it drop to 2nd tallest

*courtesy of Emporis.com

[richyb83]

Renovation work going on at the former Hotel King property in downtown; Scheduled to open in late 2010, the 48,000 sq. ft. 7-story building will become a 93-room Hotel Indigo.

*taken a few weeks ago

[buckett5425]

I am very excited about this project. This hotel means the new restaurants downtown can continue to thrive, and most likely lead to more growth, which then means more hotels. What will be exciting to see is some sort of retail component starting to develop downtown eventually. What will be interesting is that after Hotel king, there are almost 0 large underutilized buildings remaining downtown(commerce building). I think that means we will get to start seeing some infill projects as the demand for development will only continue to grow. Then maybe we can start seeing some Baton Rouge scaled projects that look similar to the examples posted above.

[buckett5425]

I am very excited about this project. This hotel means the new restaurants downtown can continue to thrive, and most likely lead to more growth, which then means more hotels. What will be exciting to see is some sort of retail component starting to develop downtown eventually. What will be interesting is that after Hotel king, there are almost 0 large underutilized buildings remaining downtown(commerce building). I think that means we will get to start seeing some infill projects as the demand for development will only continue to grow. Then maybe we can start seeing some Baton Rouge scaled projects that look similar to the examples posted above.

[cajun]

I am very excited about this project. This hotel means the new restaurants downtown can continue to thrive, and most likely lead to more growth, which then means more hotels. What will be exciting to see is some sort of retail component starting to develop downtown eventually. What will be interesting is that after Hotel king, there are almost 0 large underutilized buildings remaining downtown(commerce building). I think that means we will get to start seeing some infill projects as the demand for development will only continue to grow. Then maybe we can start seeing some Baton Rouge scaled projects that look similar to the examples posted above.

Exactly. I honestly think that one of the best things to happen to Baton Rouge downtown was the Captiol House Hilton. Hotel King is going to contribute more. And this was low hanging fruit that I'm surprised isn't exploited by more national chains. More hotels downtown WILL happen, like it or not. Hopefully they will look good and bring in an affluent crowd eager to spend, drink, and dine here.

Residential spaces are important, especially to attract pharmacies, gyms, and grocery outlets (chicken or the egg argument), but the hotels really bolster the restaurants and night life, especially in a downtown setting like Baton Rouge that's clean, well lit, and relatively laid back....it's busy some nights, but never so busy that it's a chore to get around.

Hotel King is great news. Definately shows that this area is continuing to improve despite the hard recession.

So, it's quite likely that the hotels and entertainment will proliferate before the residential. I'd also bet that some of the prime real estate that is discussed here will go to the hospitality business instead of commercial office or residential. Since I kinda want downtown Baton Rouge to be similar to be a comfortable and fun neighborhood, sort of like Greenville, this is good news to me. Fewer Casinos, more hotels

[richyb83]

Yes indeed! This enthusiasm here is contagious...should be a nice compliment to the Hilton Capitol House across the street...hopefully they can add some color to this hotel. No doubt the Hilton Capitol House(Capitol Center) is a cornerstone for downtown's rebirth! The Shaw Center for the Arts added a cool vibe and synergy..throw in the future North Blvd Town Square and this will be a really unique area!! Let the dominos continue to fall...I was thinking under normal economic times downtown should be able support an additional 300-rooms after the completion of the Indigo

Wonder if they will be able/or would renovate more by adding more windows around the lobby area?? It looks like too much bland wall at street-level....

NEVER-MIND...the rendering in earlier post shows windows will be added on both sides of Lafayette & Convention Streets...should look much better!!

[dan326]

Ya'll pretty much said everthing.

[richyb83]

This should compliment the Hilton Capitol Center across the street...

Hotel Indigo eyes mid-February opening

The Hotel Indigo, a boutique property at Convention and Lafayette streets, is set to open in mid-February. Developers had planned for a late 2010 opening for the 93-room hotel. Michael Nelms, director of sales, says the opening was pushed back in order to meet the standards of the Hotel Indigo brand. "They have a lot of requirements that have to be met," he says. One of those requirements is having rugs in every room of the hotel, because of the hardwood floors. The hotel's bistro will feature south Louisiana food. Hotel Indigo will employ between 50 and 60 people

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

[Antrell Williams]

Is this the old Jumonville building? If so, it will bring this corner alive.

[dan326]

Is this the old Jumonville building? If so, it will bring this corner alive.

No that's the old Hotel King, this is the Jumonville building.

[richyb83]

Thanks Dan They are practically next door with the small parking lot separating them...

Hopefully this can spark something with the Jumonville Ware house??? With the Hotel Indigo set to open next month...

On the above Post #43 bottom pic; you can barely see the Jumonville Warehouse bottom left background

[richyb83]

The "logo" for the Hotel Indigo,,,sorry Not the best pics..pressed for time; no chance to get out of the car; will try to get a better pic next time...wanted to show more from sidewalk level. Another blinding white structure from the PTB from the historical assocation??

The old Jumonville Warehouse on Lafayette Street adjacent to the Hotel Indigo (Hotel King)

[dan326]

I like how the Hilton and the Indigo have signs running down the side.