Photography by Paul Broussard
The building formerly known as the Elk Medical Plaza, right off of Canal Street in the CBD, is rounding the bend of its $20 million makeover and 144 Elk Luxury Lofts—96 rental units, seven floors of indoor parking, a rooftop pool, fitness center, and 8,500-square-feet of ground floor retail space—is on track for a summer opening. Baton Rouge-based developer Mike Wampold scooped up the vacant property in 2011, just before the downtown development boom, and told Curbed NOLA that deposits are already coming in, sight unseen. The 17-story Elk Place structure is still in construction mode (it should be open to the public in the next couple weeks) but we were able to sneak a peek at some of the finished units. Come inside and don't miss this view!
Pricing: Depending on the square footage and balcony action, one-bedroom, one-baths are $1,150 to $1,860; two-bedroom, two-baths range from $1,995 to $2,495; with three-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath corner units with balconies fetching $3,870 to $4,195. As far as rooms with a view go, Wampold noticed that lack of outdoor space is one of the big bummers of high-rise living, so 80 of the 96 units have private balconies. Floor plans and leasing info this way.
The 8,500-square-feet of available retail space: No one has signed the dotted line to take over the ground floor retails spots, so the guessing game continues. Wampold said he's concentrating on the apartment side of the things right now, but last year he told the BR Biz Report peeps that he hopes for a restaurant, coffee shop, or wine bar.
Transportation Hub: Eighteen bus lines roll through the Canal Street and S. Rampart/ Elk Place and Tulane Avenue area and the 144 Elk Place development is front and center. There's a severe lack of amenities for public transit riders at the city's largest and busiest transportation hub and Wampold said a permanent hub "needs to happen." He said he's "working very closely" with the city and the Regional Transit Authority, so do stay tuned.
Apartment details: All apartments have 12 and 13-foot ceilings, stainless steel appliances, washer/dryers in the units, dishwashers, granite counter tops, and high-speed internet.
· Elk luxury lofts set to open this summer with 96 rentals [Curbed NOLA]
· Luxury highrise taking over deserted Elk Medical Plaza [Curbed NOLA]
· 144 Elk Luxury Lofts [official site]
· Downtown Developments coverage [Curbed NOLA]