New Developments Underway in Downtown Baton Rouge
438 Main Street / New Chinese Restaurant / The Famous Theatre / Fleur Du Jour

Downtown development is popping up all over the area and there is even more on the way! The Downtown residential market got a boost today as the 22 unit mixed income apartment development at 438 Main Street broke ground. Developments like 438 Main Street are crucial to the Downtown residential market as we establish Downtown as a place to live, play, and work. With more residential units already in the development pipeline, it is clear that Downtown living is more than just a trend. It is a way of life that Baton Rougeans are ready and willing to embrace.

The developers behind the $4.7 million apartment building on Main Street downtown (rendering shown to left), Norman Chenevert and Helena and Kevin Cunningham, have purchased the property, begun construction and expect to be finished in about 10 months.

View a great article in The Advocate on this project

"As Downtown continues to grow it is imperative that we continue to look forward and provide housing to support our downtown work force. We envision a downtown that has all the necessary components to support all functions of living - a downtown where one can wake up in the morning and walk two blocks to work, eat lunch within a short walk from his or her office, get a prescription filled while on lunch break, stop by the market on his or her walk home, and perhaps go shopping, enjoy cultural and civic activity or dine out in one of our many downtown restaurants later that evening." - Davis Rhorer, Executive Director, DDD


In addition to the 438 Main Street development, several new businesses are currently making some exciting moves and additions.

		New Chinese Restaurant A new Chinese restaurant will be opening up at 431 Third Street next to The Office, offering another great dining option for downtown patrons. The owner, Tony Hu, hopes to have it open within the next three weeks. Currently the spot is undergoing renovations including beautiful new bamboo flooring and other decorative treatments. With this additional eatery, there will now be 61 restaurants within the Downtown Development District for all to enjoy.

		The Famous Theatre The Famous Theatre at 100 France Street, Suite 1200 is a new bar opening up in the former SOGO Live location connected to the Belle of Baton Rouge Casino and Hotel. It will be a live entertainment venue with an adult atmosphere and live performances scheduled 2-3 times a week. It will have numerous features such as Ladies Night, Latin Night, and Techno Night, but the biggest special will be their Friday night Suitcase Party. Ladies who bring an overnight bag to the venue on Fridays will be eligible to win a free hotel room and casino bucks at the Belle of Baton Rouge Hotel for that night! For more information please contact Henry Augustus at 242-2220 or via email at famousvip@ymail.com.

		Fleur Du Jour Fleur Du Jour is currently moving their shop to the Historic Kress Building at 447 Third Street. Fleur Du Jour is a professional licensed florist that specializes in holiday decorating and weddings, but can handle any type of events such as birthdays, new babies, just because, showers, graduations, rehearsal dinners and more. Their passion for new and unusual design through flowers is what fuels their creativity. Starting in the near future, Fleur Du Jour will be open Monday-Friday from 9AM-4:30PM and Saturday from 9AM-12PM. Visit www.fleurdujourla.com/main.html for more information.