Construction is officially underway for the Lofts @ 6C, a new apartment complex in downtown Baton Rouge that’s expected to take about a year and half to build.
Developer John Hearin announced the groundbreaking at this morning’s monthly meeting of the Downtown Development District. The complex will reach six stories high and will include 142 apartments that will be offered for rent at rates ranging from $950 to $2,000 per month. Some 260 parking spots are planned. It will be located on North Sixth Street between Florida Boulevard and Convention Street.
“The project will take 16 to 18 months,” Hearin said. “By early January 2018, we hope to be 50 to 80 percent leased up.”
Amenities at Lofts @ 6C will include three clubhouses, a balcony in every apartment, bike storage and repair, and a dog-washing station on the second floor for the pet-friendly complex.
Also at this morning’s meeting, new Capital Area Transit System CEO Bill Deville announced that CATS will temporarily relocate its downtown transit hub at the Old State Capitol to the terminal at the corner of 22nd Street and Florida Boulevard.
CATS also plans to implement a bus rapid transit route along Florida Boulevard to have buses quickly transport people downtown in just four to five stops, Deville said. Three new electric buses, which will be in Baton Rouge by early 2017, will run the route. The new electric buses are more cost efficient and environmentally friendly.
“Very clean, very quiet—outside and inside,” Deville said, adding that CATS also plans to team up with companies like Uber to have their drivers pick up riders in the area and bring them to the bus stops along Florida Boulevard.
While CATS waits on new buses to arrive in the next few months, Deville said, it will focus on revamping the bus routes.
Elsewhere downtown, The Watermark Baton Rouge hotel downtown will hold a soft opening on Wednesday, said Gary Black of Wampold Companies, which developed the hotel.
“It’s going to be incredible,” Black said.
Meanwhile, the Courtyard Marriott will hold a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 20, at 10 a.m. at the corner of Florida Boulevard and Third Street.
—Annie Ourso
