In the shadow of cranes and construction vehicles, downtown Baton Rouge is currently undergoing some interesting shifts.
A new 22-unit mixed-income apartment development will open at 438 Main St. in about nine months.
The unit is developed by Norman Chenevert of Chenevert Architects and Helena and Kevin Cunningham.
Gabe Vicknair, development project director for the Downtown Development District, said the anticipated price range is $300 to $1,200 a month.
“One of our main goals is to add housing downtown,” Vicknair said. “At this price range, it’s a great spot where state workers could move downtown.”
Local flower shop Fleur Du Jour is moving to a new location at 447 Third St., Suite B, in the Kress Building.
Lani Guilbeau, owner and head floral designer at Fleur Du Jour, said growth has been more rapid than anticipated and the business has outgrown its old space.
Guilbeau said the move should help the business expand even more, with greater visibility and foot traffic on Third Street.
“We’re the only flower shop downtown, and there’s very little retail,” she said. “We fit a good niche that had been unfilled for a really long time down here. Working from downtown has worked really well for us and for the community.”
Vicknair said the move toward Main Street is evidence of success.
“It’ll fill a gap of retail on the Third Street corridor,” he said. “It shows that doing business downtown is a viable thing. It’s all positive from a business standpoint for them to have a space on Third Street to give them more exposure downtown.”
Third Street will also gain a new Chinese restaurant. Owned by Tony Hu, it will open at 431 Third St. in the next three weeks. The restaurant name has not been disclosed.
Vicknair said the restaurant will add diversity and choice for workers and visitors.
“Toward that end of Third Street, the only restaurant is The Little Village,” Vicknair said. “It’s good to have food space and to fill an empty store front. It’s a totally positive thing to have additional businesses on Third Street.”
The Famous Theatre is also set to open at 100 France St., Suite 1200 adjoining the Belle of Baton Rouge Casino and Hotel.
Vicknair said this shows an initiative to enhance the area surrounding the casino.
“That area doesn’t have other bars or restaurants other than casino and Pastime,” he said. “Someone is now taking the risk to open it up again, which is another testament to the success of downtown.”
Vicknair said the Lafayette Street corridor is also undergoing new development lately, with a Hampton Inn hotel opening on the corner of Main and Lafayette streets — the third hotel for the Lafayette corridor.
The Tessier building — one of the oldest buildings downtown — is under construction and will contain mixed-use apartments and housing stock and will be the home of a new graphic design company called Tilt.
Vicknair said this growth is encouraging tree plantings and beautification projects to make the area more pedestrian-friendly.
 
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Contact Morgan Searles at [email protected]