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Since the iconic Don’s Seafood in Downtown Lafayette closed in 2020, there has been a lot of curiosity about what would happen to the building. Since the 1930s, the restaurant was a staple of the district and a favorite dining destination for locals and visitors.
Wonder no more.
The Downtown Development Authority is thrilled to announce the building has been acquired by a local development team dedicated to driving the district’s vibrancy by developing the property that may accommodate retail, food and beverage, residential, and communal use. Hub City Holdings team members Ryan Pécot, Gus Rezende, BJ Crist, and John Petersen, collectively, bring together a diverse set of experiences in real estate, hospitality, food & beverage, and design to create a vibrant touchstone in the heart of the Downtown District.
Located next to Parc Sans Souci — the center of Downtown Alive! and Festival International activity — and one block away from the Vermilion Street parking garage, this project will build upon the energy created by new and long-standing businesses at the corner of Vermilion and Lee. Some of the property’s complementary neighbors include the Children’s Museum of Acadiana, The French Press, Agave Mexican Grill & Cantina, Wild Child Wines, Hideaway on Lee, Sans Souci Gallery, and Pop-A-Licious Gourmet Popcorn. The property is also within walking distance of the new Vermilion Lofts mixed-use development that includes 24 residential dwelling units.
“We are beyond elated to announce Hub City Holdings’ acquisition of the former Don’s Seafood property,” said Anita Begnaud, CEO of Downtown Development Authority. “This is a wonderful opportunity to breathe new life into an iconic spot our district has been known for nearly 100 years.”
She continued, “We look forward to continuing the momentum to activate more areas off of Jefferson Street, and we’re confident this redevelopment will drive even more people to this corner of Downtown.”
The purchase includes the old restaurant building and adjacent parking lot at the corner of Lee Avenue and Vermilion Street and the large parking lot bordered by Lee Avenue and Vermilion and Jackson streets. Hub City Holdings plans to redevelop the property in phases — beginning with the existing building and adjacent parking lot.
“Our top priority is to create something vibrant that fits into the context of our urban environment and is both a huge success for our investors and for Downtown Lafayette,” said Gus Rezende.
Check out the commercial listing here for more information on leasing space in this development. Please direct any additional questions to Gus Rezende with Hub City Holdings at gusrezende13@gmail.com.
Downtown is the place where Acadiana comes to celebrate culture AND do business! Here at Downtown Lafayette Unlimited our goal is to help orchestrate these celebrations. Not only are we celebrating our community this fall with events such as Downtown Alive! and ArtWalk but over the past month, we have celebrated new ownership of beloved historic buildings as well as 10-year business milestones and more!
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Drainage construction will begin in downtown Lafayette at the intersection of Jefferson Street and Lee Avenue in front of the old city hall building, according to a spokesperson Lafayette Consolidated Government’s (LCG) Public Works Department.
Read Clair Taylor’s article for The Acadiana Advocate here.
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricanes Laura and Delta impacted the construction, the developers behind the old federal courthouse redevelopment in Downtown Lafayette knew the project would take a lot of work. J. Dyke Nelson, the architect behind the project, said he had to wear a hazmat suit the first time he came out and saw the property.
Perficient, a digital consulting firm with an office in downtown Lafayette, hired 50 graduates from its training bootcamp held last fall.The second Bright Paths Program, an initiative designed to advance STEM education and career opportunities for underrepresented constituencies and communities, was offered at its Lafayette and Detroit locations. Students completed software engineering coursework, learned about the consulting business, connected with mentors, and engineered their own innovative applications, company officials announced Thursday.
Tim Skinner has been a business owner in Downtown Lafayette for almost 30 years. While he has made an investment in the area, Skinner said he is thrilled to see other taking a vested interest as well. “This is the first big project that we see coming that will enhance east of Main,” Skinner said. “When the streets are improved and sidewalks are improved, the more accessible they are it’ll encourage people to invest money in new properties and renovating older properties. ”
SchoolMint will move into a temporary space in downtown Lafayette and could soon land a permanent home possibly later this month. Company CEO Bryan MacDonald said the company will move into the first floor of the Lemoine building, 214 Jefferson St., and hopes to have employees working there on Feb. 1.
The Downtown Development Authority is proposing construction of a performing arts center in downtown Lafayette to replace the 61-year-old Heymann Performing Arts Center, which landlocked Ochsner Lafayette General wants to buy. Referring to the idea as “the type of investment that tips the scale,” DDA CEO Anita Begnaud introduced the proposal at the board’s monthly meeting Thursday morning.
Parc San Souci has been the go-to place for people living in Lafayette for nearly twenty years. It has served as a place to host events, play and listen to live music, as well as take an iconic photo, but the Downtown Development Authority believes that it’s missing something.