TownePlace Suites by Marriott
90-room TownePlace Suites by Marriott under construction near I-10 and College Drive intersection. Features fully furnished kitchens in each room, continental breakfast, and fitness center. Room rates planned at $110-150 per night. $9.6 million development by Patel Construction of Lake Charles.
Big Mike’s BBQ Smokehouse
Flagship location for Big Mike’s BBQ Smokehouse featuring 7,700 square feet with live music venue, bar, and outdoor recreational space. Construction broke ground late last year.
Pathway Café
Non-profit venture featuring both a cafe and professional car wash, serving po-boys, wings, bagels, and grits. Provides employment for folks in recovery and those reintegrating after incarceration. Currently undergoing interior renovations.
Elisa’s Cuban Coffee & Kitchen
Cuban food trailer expanding to brick-and-mortar restaurant with 80-seat dining room, full bar, breakfast service, and drive-thru. Owners took over the truck in July 2025 and are converting a former po-boy shop into a tropical-themed Cuban restaurant.
Raising Cane’s
Renovated Raising Cane’s location reopening in Lafayette after renovation
Kenji Kazoku
Upscale Japanese restaurant backed by former LSU and NFL wide receiver Malachi Dupre in collaboration with Chef Matthew Nguyen. Will serve Japanese dishes including dry-aged fish and wagyu steak, plus sake and craft cocktails. Third location after Kenji Omakase in New Orleans and Casa Kenji in Houston.
Sports Illustrated Resort
Conversion project of existing 11-story hotel downtown on Mississippi River near LSU campus. Will feature vacation ownership, hotel and whole ownership units. Renovations begin early 2027 with completion expected late 2027.
Coushatta Casino Resort
Eight-story hotel tower expansion adding 204 guest rooms and 100 luxury suites to existing casino resort. Will bring total room count to over 1,000. Connected to gaming floor, dining, and entertainment amenities.
Omni Headquarters Hotel
Planned $500 million modern hotel with 1,000-room capacity and 100,000 square feet of meeting space, located across from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Project is part of New Orleans’ bid to host the 2031 Super Bowl.
The Cake Lounge
New brick-and-mortar extension of Crazy Cakes By Becky, a dessert lounge offering artisanal sweets, macarons, cookies, light café-style food and non-alcoholic beverages in former Gracious Bakery location