Apartment Development on Jefferson Highway Faces Road Block

By Eliza Theiss, Associate Editor

The 315-unit mixed-use Cedar Lodge Apartments project planned on Jefferson Highway might not take off from the drawing board, according to the Greater Baton Rouge Business Report. According to the report the reason for this is the inability to provide more than one access way into the development. The only access that can be implemented might place too much pressure on Jefferson Highway.

Two other projects were cancelled earlier this year for the same reasons: mega-church Bethany World Prayer Center and The Preserve, an apartment complex. Cedar Lodge Apartments is a 315-unit mixed-use apartment complex with 56,000 square feet of retail space. Phil Witter is the developer of the project.

While Cedar Lodge faces an uncertain future, high-profile luxury mega-development The High Grove is making up for time lost due to unfavorable weather, according to the Greater Baton Rouge Business Report.

The project, which broke ground in late March, is one of the most ambitious projects attempted in Baton Rouge. The High Grove is the centerpiece of The Grove, a traditional neighborhood development (TND) developed by Baton Rouge-based Carmouche Development. The 118-acre project located along 1-10, east of the mall of Louisiana, will create a mixed-use community in a village-centered layout. Retail, commercial and office space will blend with single-family homes, senior housing, luxury rental housing as well as a full-service hotel. Forty-two acres will be preserved as green space.

The High Grove features 198 luxury one-and two-bedroom apartments at a projected development cost of $28 million. High-end fixtures, granite finishes, walk-in closets, washers and dryers will be found in all units. Most residences will contain balconies and terraces.

Community amenities will include a resort-style pool with a soaking deck, green lawns, an outdoor fireplace, gas grills and cooking areas, an indoor/outdoor lounge area, cyber café, media center, state of the art fitness center,  theatre, tanning room and meeting room and other features. Parking will be ensured by onsite garages and carports, which will be installed with photovoltaic panels. The property will apply for LEED Silver Certification. Other green features of the property include energy-star lighting and appliances, high-efficiency HVAC systems, water-conserving appliances and fixtures, landscaping with low-water consumption and wiring for future electric car-ports.

Phase one is set to be completed by May 2013, and phase two by October 2013.

Photo credit: highgrovebr.com