Visit Baton Rouge acquires deal to secure new headquarters at Downtown historic building
Overview: Visit Baton Rouge has announced they will be moving headquarters to a historic building on Lafayette Street. The vacant building is located across from the Hilton Hotel (originally renovated in 2006) and next door to Hotel Indigo (originally in 2011 and updated again this year). 232 Lafayette has been a building with extreme potential surrounded by successful businesses, yet remained vacant and on the market for years.
232 Lafayette St.
History: The beginning of this building dates back to 1923 when it was originally constructed and later owned by Joe and Clare Ramires, owners of the Ramires-Jones Printing Co. Margaret Tyler, a relative of the former owners of the building spoke to WAFB back in 2019 about the history of the building starting with her great uncle, Joe Ramires, president and founder of the Ramires-Jones Printing Co. The printing company originally operated in a building on Lafayette Street located in the parking lot of the 232 building.
Photo Credit: Margaret Tyler and WAFB 2019.
However, it was not until Ramirez met his future wife, formally known as “Clare Bates” who would give him this legacy building. “Bates’ was known for being a ‘member of one of the most prominent families in Baton Rouge,’” Tyler states. “She was the daughter of Capt. JW Bates, sheriff of the parish from 1878-1888.”
Capt. JW Bates, photo credit: familysearch.org
According to Tyler, the Bates owned the 232 property and actually transformed it into their home initially. They also had a residence at 212 Lafayette St. which is where the Shaw Center for the Arts is located. The Bates home at 232 Lafayette St. later became the new location for the Ramires-Jones Printing Company.
Photo(s) Credit: Margaret Tyler and WAFB 2019.
According to an article in the Advocate published after Ramirez’ death, he states he "erected this structure at the time as proof of his confidence in Baton Rouge’s future." Bates took over the business before unexpectedly passing in 1937. Prior to her passing, she sold the company to Thomas J. Moran’s sons of New Orleans.
Joe Ramires, photo credit: Margaret Tyler and WAFB 2019.
Since then, the building went through other businesses/owners before architectural firm, The Trahan Properties took ownership in 2005 in hopes to renovate and transform into an office building. In 2009, Trahan Properties submitted an application to have the building approved for historic tax credits from the Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation with the purpose of enhancing downtown and transforming the Arts Block. The application was approved.
Unfortunately, the project plans were set aside and never took off. However, many businesses took interest in the building in hopes this historic building could be transformed into a downtown asset.
On the market: The listing price was at $1,009,000 while still qualifying for Historic Tax Credits in an Opportunity Zone.
232 Lafayette St. for sale sign
Sealed the deal: It was announced last week that the Louisiana Bond Commission approved a plan proposed by Visit Baton Rouge for them to borrow a $7 million loan at an interest rate (not to exceed 6%) at a term of less than 20 years. The proceeds will be used to purchase the abandoned, historic building on 232 Lafayette St. and become Visit Baton Rouge’s new home base.
Visit Baton Rouge, is currently located at the corner of Third and Laurel in a 7,000-square-foot space and will be upgraded to ±14,268 square feet after 20 years of residing in the Third Street location.
Visit Baton Rouge on the corner of Third and Laurel Street
“We are beyond thrilled to see this building renovated and returned to commerce," said DDD Executive Director Whitney Hoffman Sayal. "It makes it all the more exciting and special that Visit Baton Rouge, our community partner, is spearheading the project.”
The design phase and renovation will begin once the purchase is complete. The project will be completed in 2026 if all goes to plan.
Research: Article from Samantha Morgan, 2019 WAFB
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