A new four-story, 83-room boutique hotel, set to be named Hotel Lafayette, is coming soon to downtown Lafayette at the former Don’s space located at 301 E Vermilion Street.
Valued at an estimated $19 million, construction for the new boutique hotel in downtown Lafayette is set to begin in early 2025. The hotel will feature 83 rooms, including 2 premier suites. Additionally, there will be an outdoor pool, a unique pool bar concept, and pool-facing rooms. The hotel will also offer state-of-the-art event spaces totaling nearly 2,500 square feet, and will maintain the iconic entrance located at the corner of Vermilion St. and Lee St. For parking, the hotel will utilize the Vermilion garage as needed.
See the initial purchase of the property: https://developinglafayette.com/wp/hub-city-holdings-local-development-team-acquires-the-former-dons-seafood-in-downtown-lafayette/
The original plans for the former Don’s downtown included condos alongside commercial space on the ground level. However, those plans have now been revised to address a more urgent need for hotel accommodations in the city’s center. The updated plans still feature commercial space on the ground level, which has already been leased to a restaurant concept that will be announced later this year.
See initial plans from 2023 for the former Don’s downtown, then named Ashby Crossing: https://developinglafayette.com/wp/ashby-crossing-new-downtown-project-in-the-works-for-former-dons-seafood-space/
Current Don’s facade set to be demoed
The project is supported by Sans Souci Properties, The Thrash Group, and Tandem Hospitality Group. The Thrash Group, located in Hattiesburg, MS, is recognized for its boutique hotel designs and has a collection of hotels called Origin, which includes properties in several cities across the country, including Baton Rouge, LA. Tandem Hospitality Group will manage the day-to-day operations with a focus on transparency and innovation. Sans Souci Properties, managed by Gus Rezende, Ryan Pécot, BJ Crist, and John Peterson, is dedicated to the growth and development of Lafayette’s Downtown District and will play a significant role in bringing this project to completion.
“Lafayette is the cultural heart of Acadiana, and we’re excited to develop a property that reflects the unique character of the region,” said Joe Thrash, Partner at The Thrash Group. “The hotel will be a destination where both visitors and locals can gather and experience the best of what Lafayette has to offer.”
This project will serve as a catalyst for further growth in the Lafayette area. With the increasing number of events, businesses, and visitors coming to downtown year-round, it is essential for the district to offer sufficient hotel space within walking distance.
“Downtown Lafayette attracts millions of visitors every year, whether it’s for large-scale events like Festival International and Mardi Gras, or the everyday traffic of business visitors in the central business district,” said Kevin Blanchard, CEO of Lafayette’s Downtown Development Authority. Guests and patrons of the hotel will be just a short walk away from more than 35 locally owned restaurants, dozens of retailers, and live music and nightlife venues.”
Tentative construction for the new boutique hotel in downtown Lafayette is scheduled to begin in early 2025, with an expected completion timeframe by the summer of 2026.
