The heart of downtown Lafayette is set to experience a significant revitalization with the recent groundbreaking of the 83-room Hotel Lafayette. This landmark Lafayette Hotel Project signals a new era for the city’s core, occupying the historic site that once housed the beloved Don’s Seafood Hut. The commencement of construction on July 30, 2025, marks a pivotal moment for Downtown Lafayette, promising a blend of modern hospitality and a nod to the area’s rich heritage.
The journey to this momentous occasion began years ago, as vividly recalled by Gus Rezende, a key figure in the ownership group. He recounts the precise moment in March 2020 when the opportunity arose to acquire the property from Don’s Seafood and Steakhouse, an unexpected turn just before the onset of widespread business shutdowns. This crucial acquisition laid the foundation for what would become a transformative development.
Just over five years later, the collaborative vision has materialized. The ownership collective, comprising Gus Rezende, Ryan Pecot, BJ Crist, and John Peterson, joined forces with prominent elected officials, including Mayor President Monique Boulet-Blanco, for the ceremonial groundbreaking. This collective effort underscores a significant private-public partnership aimed at fostering robust Economic Development within the city.
Mayor President Monique Boulet-Blanco expressed profound excitement for the hotel, articulating its potential to usher in “a whole new dynamic” for the area. She emphasized that the project is expected to spark innovative thinking and further contribute to Lafayette’s continuous evolution and growth, attracting visitors from across the globe. This major investment is poised to significantly bolster Louisiana Tourism and the broader Hospitality Industry.
The Thrash Group, a Hattiesburg, Mississippi-based development company with a long-standing interest in the Lafayette market, is spearheading the hotel’s design. Their commitment to integrating the city’s unique history and culture into the architecture and ambiance ensures the hotel will resonate deeply with the local identity. Strategically located next to Magnolia Pantry, an eagerly anticipated local business opening in the historic Sans Souci building, the hotel will be at the nexus of downtown’s burgeoning vibrancy.
A significant draw for the new establishment is the inclusion of Bayou Teche Brewing, the celebrated Arnaudville-based brewery, which will occupy a substantial 4,500-square-foot space on the hotel’s first floor. This development marks the culmination of a decade-long endeavor for Bayou Teche Brewing to secure a downtown Lafayette presence, overcoming previous challenges related to location and state regulations.
Karlos Knott, owner of Bayou Teche Brewing, reflected on the perseverance required to bring his brewery downtown, acknowledging past hurdles. He stated that while an earlier plan to move into the former Don’s building was exciting, the integration with a new hotel truly “elevates the whole project,” offering an unparalleled opportunity for the business known for its wood-fired pizzas and crafted tiki cocktails.
To further support this substantial undertaking, the Hotel Lafayette will benefit from strategic financial incentives. These include significant breaks on the one-cent sales tax within the downtown economic development district and the two-cent parishwide hotel tax over its initial seven years of operation. The project is slated to recuperate 100% of generated sales tax in its first two years, alongside 100% of the 2% hotel tax for four years, and 50% for the subsequent three years, highlighting a concerted effort to spur Economic Development.
As construction progresses, the Hotel Lafayette stands as a testament to strategic urban renewal and ambitious private investment. This 83-room addition to the city’s skyline, deeply rooted in its location’s history yet poised for a dynamic future, is anticipated to become a cornerstone of Downtown Lafayette‘s continued growth and a vibrant new hub within the Hospitality Industry, drawing both locals and tourists alike to experience the evolving charm of the area.
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