Downtown Development DistrictA Passion for ProgressDowntown Events Coming Up...




Gather Round' Downtown Walking Tour

Private sector initiatives present a new wave of development in Downtown BR
Please join us for a walking tour of eleven private sector initiatives in various stages of development representing over $25 million in new downtown investment. Also, hear comments from library staff and design professionals on the proposed new $19 million Library at North Boulevard Town Square and...see a sneak preview of the DDD's new Design Resource Center and Offices during early stages of renovation. Click here to download a printable map of the walking tour.

Friday, June, 1, 4PM. Meet at the present DDD office - 227 Florida St.

The walk will conclude in North Boulevard Town Square at the final Spring Live After Five concert featuring Island Fever (Summer Party Jam!) to celebrate these great investments in Downtown Baton Rouge!

Learn more about the exciting new residential developments currently under construction or planned for downtown by clicking here.

Walking Tour Projects:

1) DDD's Design Resource Center & Offices
The new Downtown Development District office will house a Design Resource Center which will serve as a publically accessible repository of past and current planning documents and provide a mutual platform of voice and interaction. This Design Resource Center allows private design and development entities to engage the local community in an effort to share ideas and voice opinions over the future development of Downtown Baton Rouge. Ultimately the center will inform citizens on the direction of Baton Rouge as outlined in Plan Baton Rouge II, FutureBR and other adopted master plans. Opening Summer 2012
2) City Bar
Construction is underway for City Bar's second location which is the old Avoyelles location at 333 Third Street. City Bar already has a reputation in Downtown Lafayette. The establishment was named "Best Bar in Acadiana" in 2011 and soon they will be adding to the excitement of Downtown Baton Rouge's vibrant nightlife. Opening June 2012
3) Tessier Building & Lafayette House
Located near the corner of Lafayette and Laurel Streets in Downtown Baton Rouge, the recently opened Tessier building, a mixed use development, is recognized as the oldest building in Baton Rouge. This townhouse style building features Spanish-Colonial architecture, high ceilings, wood floors, a full range of appliances, large expanses of glass, huge balconies nearly 10 feet deep, and the building's original cast-iron gallery fencing. Also on this tour stop is The Lafayette House site which will bring additional residential units with its new construction slated to start later this year.
4) Hampton Inn
The $17 million Hampton Inn & Suites at Lafayette and Main Streets is now under construction. The 137 room hotel is an exampple of several finacial and creative partnerships converging to create this star development in downtown. Forty-two of the guest rooms will have balconies and 36 will be suites. The hotel will have 1,00 square feet of meeting space, an executive boardroom, a business center and an exercise room. This will be the third hotel on the Lafayette street corridor in the Arts and Entertainment District. Opening January 2013.
5) Restaurant IPO
Restaurant IPO, 421 Third Street, is a new eatery owned by the same hospitality group that brought The Office Bar to Downtown Baton Rouge. This great new restaurant will be serving a fun mix of tasty small plates and savory entrees that the chef is calling "inspired Southern Tapas". Restaurant IPO will be open for lunch and dinner six days a week and is scheduled to open the doors in June 2012
6) 431 Third Street
The former vacant Dragon Cafe' resturant space at 431 Third Street is undergoing major renovations. This attractive space will be the location for a new restaurant, adding another element to the already lively Third Street. Follow the Downtown Development District for more information on the restaurant at 431 Third Street...
7) 438 Main Street
438 Main Street, now under construction, is a 22-unit apartment building offering affordable housing downtown. Seventeen of the units will be affordable housing rate ranging from $300 to $1,100, with three units going as low as $300, and five units will be market rate. Opening Fall 2012
8) Blend
"Blend", Baton Rouge's newest wine bar, is opening at the corner of Third and Laurel Street. The interior of Blend mixes the exposed brick and cypress beams of traditional Downtown architecture with fun and vibrant modern design elements. Opening June 2012
9) BR Walls Project Location
The BR Walls Project will transform the existing beige and grey walls of 340 Florida Street into modern works of art. The first murals will be painted along Florida street, then spread throughout other buildings in the Arts and Entertainment District. Out of respect for historic structures, most of the artwork will be printed on large, vinyl banners that are fastened to buildings creating an outdoor gallery setting.
10) New Restaurant
A new restaurant will be located in the State Parking Garage at Third and Convention streets. Construction will begin Summer 2012. Follow the Downtown Development District for more information on the restaurant...
11) BR Walls Project Office
Come and explore the home office of the BR walls Project, 337 North Boulevard Town Square. This is where the group collaborates with artists, fundraisers and business owners for future downtown art installations. Their hope is that their efforts will lay the groundwork for future projects to bring together the wide array of cultures in Baton Rouge.
12) River Center Library
The design of the new $19 million River Center Library will begin as the Metro Council approved the contract with WHLC Architects-Schwartz/ Silver - a joint venture, at a recent Metro Council meeting. The River Center Library, which is located on North Blvd adjacent to the new North Boulevard Town Square, will be the last stop on the walking tour. The library architect, Rex Cabanis of WHLC, will speak as well as Co-Acting Directors -Mary Stein and Patricia Husband about the design process of the library and planned programmed use.


For a full listing of upcoming events, visit our website.


227 Florida St.  |  Baton Rouge, LA 70801  |  (225) 389-5520 Office (225) 389-5523 Fax  |  8:00 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F


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