LAFAYETTE, La. — The iconic building that used to be the home for Don’s Seafood and Steakhouse in Downtown Lafayette now has new owners who say they have big plans for it.
The purchase includes the building, plus an adjacent parking lot. The transaction was done by Hub City Holdings, who plans to redesign the space to have shopping, restaurants, living and shared spaces under one roof.
The CEO of the Downtown Development Authority says she believes the purchase will have a large impact on redeveloping downtown Lafayette.
“We are sad to lose Don’s,” said CEO Anita Begnaud. “It was an iconic part of downtown Lafayette’s, but we are thrilled that a group that cares so much about downtown Lafayette, is going to be a part of that site’s future. “
The members of the new group of owners gathered at Don’s to celebrate the purchase. They said it would be a small gathering with close friends and family to show the space.
“We've been working on this project for about a year, in the middle of the pandemic,” said Gus Rezende, one of the new owners. “To see it come through and to see it actually happening today, has been very humbling and rewarding, and we can't wait to get to work.”
The DDA says that it will take some time until the finalized plans for the distribution of the space is announced.
“They’ve done a lot of due diligence leading up to the sale today,” said Begnaud. “I think in the next year you will be able to see a clearer picture of where they want to go. But really, it depends on who’s interested in being a part of the development project.”
The space will serve a combination of new purposes.
“We hope to activate anywhere from residential to commercial to communal space,” said Rezende. "We look forward to doing a set of different things."
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