Two downtown historic renovation projects will be among those recognized later this month by the Foundation for Historical Louisiana at the organization’s annual Preservation Awards program.
The historic renovation of 440 on Third—the former Capital One Bank building that now houses 65 multifamily units and a Matherne’s Supermarket—is among several winners of the 2015 Preservation Awards. Weinstein Nelson Developers and Dyke Nelson Architecture redeveloped the building in 2014, turning the eight-story, midcentury modern bank building into one of downtown’s newest mixed-use properties.
The historic Dupree Apartments at 607 and 609 Spanish Town Road will receive the Phoenix Award, which goes to an outstanding example of historic restoration. The 1920s-era apartments sat dilapidated for years until they were rescued and restored by Benjamin Stalter of Maestri Murrell Commercial Real Estate, and Robert Lay, managing director at Tempus Capital Partners LLC. They acquired both properties for $185,000 and spent more than $700,000 renovating the fire-damaged building at 607 Spanish Town Road and building a new, architecturally appropriate building at 609 Spanish Town Road. Also being recognized in conjunction with the project are Coleman Partners Architects, Carter Hill Construction and Vision City Development Group.
“These awards are presented to dedicated individuals and groups whose professional work, volunteer efforts and mission have aided in making the past known and useful to the present,” says FHL Chairman Mark Upton.
Other local projects, developers and corporate partners being honored by FHL include: the West Baton Rouge Parish Museum, which will receive the Bricks and Mortar Award for the restoration of the Mercantile Store at Arbroath Plantation; Shell Corporation for the restoration of Ashland-Belle Helene plantation near Geismar; and Ernest and Dianne Gaines, for preservation of the church and cemetery at River Lake Plantation in Pointe Coupee Parish.
The Preservation Awards will be held July 16 at the City Club of Baton Rouge. Cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m. with dinner served at 7 p.m. Tickets are $100 for FHL members; $125 for non-members. For more information call FHL at (225) 387-2464 or email info@fhl.org.
—Stephanie Riegel
