Louisiana State University (affectionally referred to as LSU) is located about three miles south of the CBD in the southern sector of the City. In close proximity to the beautiful 300 acre campus are several announced developments..........................
The Crescent at University Lake
Wampold Cos. is ready to build the upscale condo development on Stanford Avenue across from the lake and will donate money to beautify the area, including improving Baton Rouge Beach. In two months, Wampold will start building the $45 million, 90-unit project, which takes its cue from Florida resorts and Italian architecture and is named The Crescent at University Lake.
In recent years, plans for upscale condos have sputtered in Baton Rouge, but Wampold believes the location on the lake and near LSU with views of the state Capitol will move condos quickly. He has had more than100 inquiries for the project. Construction is expected to begin within two months.
The units will be from 1,239 square feet to 2,682 square feet and cost from the low-$200,000 to about $650,000. Amenities include a fitness center, clubroom, billiards room, media center and a pool area that overlooks the lake.
Wampold said he would donate money to BREC for jogging paths at Baton Rouge Beach and other improvements, including moving parking off the street and planting oak trees on both sides of Stanford. He declined to reveal how much the BREC improvements would cost because the parks system has not approved a plan.
Wampold has been trying to develop the property for more than a decade, but the neighbors have opposed the project. He wanted to build apartments on the property but the Planning Commission, listening to angry neighbors, declined to approve the site plan and the project was rejected. Now, he's shifted to building condos, and says he has necessary approvals to go ahead with the project.
The project does not include retail because rezoning would be required. Wampold said he doesn't have plans now for retail, though the area would be right for a coffee shop and other boutique stores.
http://www.crescent-condos.com
FieldHouse Baton Rouge
Birmingham based Capstone Development Corp. (CDC) announced today its plans for “FieldHouse, Baton Rouge” a luxury sports condominium project planned initially for Baton Rouge and 4 other college campuses designed to house college sports fans. The project will revolutionize traditional college tailgating, providing athletic supporters and fans with luxury accommodations to enjoy during game weekends and beyond. It is a unique opportunity for fans to own a tangible tailgating spot as close as possible to the campus.
About “FieldHouse, Baton Rouge”
Address: Nicholson Drive at West Chimes Street (LSU North Gates)
Number of Units: 100 residential loft units plus retail space
Distance From Stadium: .4 mile (four tenths of a mile) to Stadium Gates
“We plan to utilize our expertise and existing relationships at LSU to create some of the most desirable real estate near campus for living and vacationing during sports seasons.” says William Bru, Senior Vice President of CDC. The other four initial developments include sites in Louisville, KY, Starkville, MS, Manhattan, KS, and Green Bay, WI. Groundbreakings are set for early 2005 in each of these initial markets.
Fieldhouse, a French Quarter style, 100-unit luxury condominium development will be located across from the Natatorium at the North Gates of campus on the corner of Nicholson Drive and West Chimes Street. According to an article by Timothy Boone in The Advocate, the four-story development will include units ranging from $160,000 to $500,000 and will feature private parking, a restaurant, concierge and cleaning services.
Fieldhouse is the first venture of its kind for Capstone, but the company is no stranger to housing development. Founded in 1990, the company has several student housing complexes both on and off campus and locally manages University Commons complex on Burbank Drive, according to an article by Timothy Boone in The Advocate. Capstone also plans similar developments in Starkville, Miss., Manhattan, Kan., and Louisville, Ky., according to an article by Tom Daykin in The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Southgate Towers
http://www.southgatetowerscondos.com/index.htm
Gameday Center
Capstone is not the only condominium developer with its eye on the Tigers. Gary Spillers, President and CEO of Gameday Centers Southeastern, said he is in the negotiating process with Tiger Athletic Foundation to build condominiums and a meeting area at the LSU golf course. Final completion is more than a year and a half away, Spillers said, stressing the development's preliminary stage.
The sports condominiums will range from 1 to 3 fully furnished bedrooms with ownership prices ranging from $140,000 to $500,000, Spillers said. The complex will also house a restaurant and bar area, workout club and meeting rooms. A shuttle will run to campus for football, basketball, baseball, track and other sporting events, he said. The condominiums will be available for year-round ownership and living or short-term rental.
Gameday Centers have a history. According to
www.gamedaycenters.com, there are Gameday Centers in Auburn, Miss., Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Knoxville, Tenn. Construction is underway or soon anticipated in Athens, Ga., Tallahassee, Fla., Clemson, S.C., and Lexington, Ky.
North Gate Sterling University House
Built by Sterling University Housing, the largest developer of off-campus student housing in the country, Sterling University NorthGate is a 100 unit project within walking distance to LSU and the Chimes Street/Northgate entertainment area. Project now under construction on Highland Road north of State near the North Gate of LSU.
The Preserve at Longwood Plantation
Plans are in the works to build a 330-unit apartment complex at Nicholson Drive and Gardere Lane. The Preserve at Longwood Plantation will feature a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units being developed by Cortlandt Development, an Atlanta company. Plans are to price the units between $700 and $1,200 a month.
Cortlandt, which has developed apartments across the Southeast, had been looking at moving into Baton Rouge before Hurricane Katrina. DeFrancis said the company was interested in the growth that has happened along Nicholson Drive since the Bluebonnet Boulevard extension was completed. “There’s so much growth coming out of downtown and the university,” DeFrancis said. “We think there’s going to be a filling in of all the land between Bluebonnet and the university.”
Plans are to begin construction in August and have the complex open in spring 2007.
The Lod Cook Hotel and Alumni Center on West Lakeshore Drive overlooking University Lake near LSU
One of many contributions to the University by Lod Cook, oil entrepreneur and alumnus, Cook is the president and chief executive officer of ARCO Petroleum.
