The project began in 2004 with Wampold’s purchase of a decade-old, incomplete concrete shell that originally was planned to be a dormitory. Together, Wampold and Davidson undertook a complete redesign, resulting in significant interior and exterior work that transformed the proposed dormitory into a high profile, 256-room luxury hotel. Davidson provided overall development consulting, as well as construction supervision, purchasing, and installation of all operating supplies, FF&E and IT systems to the project. Davidson now will operate the hotel under a long-term management agreement.
“The Renaissance Baton Rouge is the first full service hotel to be built in suburban Baton Rouge in more than two decades,” said Steve Margol, chief investment officer of Davidson. “It is important to this community and a significant addition to our portfolio as it marks our return to Louisiana, a market with which we are intimately familiar, and our first project with one of the state’s most prominent developers, Wampold Companies.”
“Davidson has southern roots, and a national presence with tremendous experience working with Marriott-branded hotels,” noted Mike Wampold, chairman & CEO, Wampold Companies. “Their management expertise, coupled with local ownership, will be a winning combination in this market.”
“The Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel’s proximity to LSU Tiger Stadium, the State Capitol, the region’s medical hub, downtown Baton Rouge and upscale shopping makes this an ideal locale for business guests and group travelers, as well as for weekend getaways and tailgating,” Margol added. “This hotel blends the area’s rich local colors and flavors in a hotel that is both contemporary and provides up-to-the-minute technology. It’s a one-of-a-kind hotel for a city with its own unique character.”
The 256 guest rooms, including 63 luxury suites, are furnished with king or double queen beds, flat screen televisions, iPod docking stations and Aveda bathroom amenities. The Concierge Club Level offers 28 spacious guest rooms with dramatic views and access to a private Club Lounge, plush bathrobes and slippers. The hotel provides room service, self and valet parking, high-speed Internet access in all guestrooms and a top-of-the-line business center.
The 206,000 square-foot hotel also offers a fully equipped fitness center, a courtyard style outdoor pool that includes a lounging deck accented by fire and water features, and 13,000 sq. ft. of flexible, state-of-the-art meeting space, including a 7,500 sq. ft. ballroom and 8 large meeting rooms.
Tallulah, a casual upscale restaurant named for the town of Tallulah, Louisiana, offers indigenous cuisine from around the state, while featuring house-crafted menu items that interpret local flavors in fresh and unique ways. Meals are paired with 32 wines by the glass, fresh juice cocktails and assorted local brews. The restaurant serves all meal periods and features private dining for intimate meetings and an outdoor terrace for entertaining.
Located one mile south of Interstate 10 at the corner of Bluebonnet Boulevard and Anselmo Lane, the Renaissance Baton Rouge is conveniently situated between the Mall of Louisiana, the area's major regional shopping mall, and Perkins Rowe, a popular upscale lifestyle center, as well as numerous health service providers, including Our Lady of the Lake Regional Hospital, Baton Rouge General Hospital, Ochsner Hospital, and various other medical facilities. It also is only minutes from LSU Tiger Stadium.
ABOUT RENAISSANCE HOTELSRenaissance Hotels is an upscale brand with more than 140 properties in 28 countries that speaks to passionate travelers in search of authentic local discoveries when traveling for business or leisure. Renaissance Hotels has recently welcomed several new "gems" to its global collection – the ultra‐modern Renaissance Paris Arc de Triomphe Hotel, the chic Renaissance New York Hotel 57 in Manhattan and the beautifully restored historic Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach. These hotels join a rich portfolio defined by distinctive and well‐known icons such as The Mayflower Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C., the Blackstone Renaissance Chicago Hotel, The Shelbourne Renaissance Dublin Hotel and the Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel. To make reservations and obtain more information about Renaissance Hotels, please visit www.renaissancehotels.com.
ABOUT WAMPOLD COMPANIES
Wampold Companies (www.wampold.com), founded in 1981 by Mike Wampold, has built a solid reputation of proven performance in the areas of real estate development, construction, major capital renovations and property management.
ABOUT DAVIDSON HOTELS & RESORTS
Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., Davidson Hotels & Resorts is an award-winning, full-service hotel management company that provides management, development/renovation, acquisition, consulting and accounting expertise for the hospitality industry. The company’s portfolio encompasses 49 upscale, full-service independent and branded hotels with nearly 13,900 rooms across the United States, including such affiliations as Renaissance, Marriott, Hyatt, Westin, Sheraton, Hilton, Embassy Suites, Doubletree, Radisson, Crowne Plaza, Hilton Garden Inn and Courtyard. Additional information on Davidson may be found at www.davidsonhotels.com.