It’s said location is everything for business, and Baton Rouge has no shortage of it. Developers say downtown Baton Rouge offers a historic charm to its visitors. In the early 20th century, Huey P. Long and the elegance that dominated the small business district became a staple for the Baton Rouge community that lasted until the 1970s. In the fall, that charm and elegance returns to the Capitol City. Since 1987, $1.048 billion has been invested into Baton Rouge’s downtown district. Historical buildings have been refurbished, government agencies have relocated to the district, casinos are bringing in tourists and restaurant and bars have revitalized the economy. On August 30, Hilton Hotels will reveal it’s mass renovation of the former Heidelberg Hotel and the old Capitol House at the corner of Florida Boulevard and Lafayette Street. Over $65 million was infused into the historical hotel that will include a full spa, coffee house, a restaurant and one of the best views of the city. The 10 story hotel will be equipped with 290 guest rooms and will create 225 new jobs downtown, which should greatly impact the Baton Rouge economy. “The impact this hotel will have on the Baton Rouge community will be huge,” said Austin Van de Vate, general manager of the Baton Rouge Hilton. “This hotel is the anchor to nightlife downtown. When you have 300 people walking around an area that was once deserted buying food, shopping, drinking coffee and enjoying the nightlife, that’s a big impact.” The Heidelberg Hotel was built in the 1920s and was once the home of colorful Louisiana politician Huey P. Long. Thirty years later, the old Capitol House was built on the north wall of the Heidelberg, creating one of the best social atmospheres in Baton Rouge. The elegance and historical charm of the two buildings captured the imaginations of its visitors. “We have couples coming to the hotel to celebrate their sixtieth anniversary,” Van de Vate said. “They meet here in in the 50s at social dances in the ballrooms and now they look forward to reliving those memories. This hotel means so much more than money and service to the area. That’s what makes it different. The difference is that this hotel is a historical Baton Rouge hotel, not a New Orleans hotel.” Van de Vate is adamant when he says the Hilton will be the most unique hotel in Baton Rouge. The Hilton is one of seven historically registered hotels in Louisiana; the other six are in New Orleans. As a four-star, four-diamond hotel, the Hilton will also require all 225 employees to take 16 hours of Baton Rouge history ranging from tours of all the historical sites and simple historical facts. The Baton Rouge Hilton is only one the ingredients that will impact downtown development in the fall. Sometime before January, construction will begin on the new 36 story River Place Condominium complex on River Road, just two blocks from the Hilton. River Place, like the Hilton, will overlook downtown Baton Rouge and the Mississippi RIver offering 100 units at a total cost of $70 million. River Place will be Baton Rouge’s first “vertical community” and will offer luxury with classic urban design mixed with traditional architectural character unique to Louisiana. With 100 new residences downtown, these condos will supply constant residents to the economic center. “People who live downtown need the necessities that everyone takes for [granted],” said Danny Watts, sales director for River Place Condominiums. “These people will shop at night and they will have access to all the new restaurant and bars locating downtown.” According to Davis Rhorer, executive director of the Baton Rouge downtown development district, downtown Baton Rouge is the perfect location for economic growth. The downtown district features 19 different access routes leading in and out of the district and sees over 100,000 people everyday. He says the key to economic growth in Baton Rouge is keeping people downtown after 5 p.m. “Right now, with the Hilton and the Sheraton there will only be 600 people downtown after work on the weekdays,” Rhorer said. “Six-hundred people is still not a lot of people, but we are getting closer to where we want to be. That’s why the restaurants and bars will also be so important. We need downtown to become the center of Baton Rouge again for us to reach our goals.”
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