Baton Rouge’s Changing Skyline: See What a Difference a Decade Makes in These Incredible Now-and-Then Photos

Once a sleepy southern city, Baton Rouge is now a booming metropolis. The new IBM office building has brought 800 new jobs to the area, and more and more people are choosing to live downtown, taking advantage of the growing number of restaurants, bars, and businesses. According to the Downtown Development District, over 300 apartments will be completed this year in the downtown area alone, and there are plans for even more public greenspaces as part of Plan Baton Rouge II’s Central Green concept.

But it’s not just downtown that’s growing; the university area also has several new apartment complexes for students going up, as well as a new hotel for their visiting families. So how exactly has Louisiana’s state capital changed? Well, with the help of Google’s Street View, we here at RentCafe have created these now-and-then slides to highlight some of the amazing new developments that are shaping how Baton Rogue residents now live, work, and play in their city by the river!

Simply drag the arrow bar back-and-forth to view the old and the new images.

1. 19th Judicial District Courthouse – Beauregard Town

Year Completed: 2010

Located in downtown Baton Rouge, on the corner of St. Louis Street and North Boulevard, the 19th Judicial District Courthouse serves East Baton Rogue Parish. There are two public parking garages within two blocks of the courthouse, along with metered street parking.

Link to Street View

Use the code below to embed the image on your website:

<iframe src=”https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/62/2016/05/1-19th-Judicial-District-Court.html” width=”100%” max-width=”570″ height=”540″ frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no”></iframe>

2. II City Plaza – Beauregard Town

Year Completed: 2009

II City Plaza is a stunning new twelve-story commercial building in Downtown Baton Rouge. Made of granite, glass and stone, the building offers over 260,000 square feet of Class A office space as well as onsite management, laundry, a bistro, coffee shop, and a large parking garage. But what really captures the hearts of its tenants are the gorgeous views of the Mississippi and the convenient location: blocks to the State Capitol Building, easy access to Interstates 10 and 110, and only eight miles from the Baton Rogue Metropolitan Airport.

Link to Street View

Use the code below to embed the image on your website:

<iframe src=”https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/62/2016/05/2-II-City-Plaza.html” width=”100%” max-width=”570″ height=”540″ frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no”></iframe>

3. 525 Lafayette – Beauregard Town – Check Availability

Year Completed: 2015

The recently-completed riverfront complex at 525 Lafayette contains the new IBM Center offices as well as 85 luxury residential units. The modern apartments have quartz countertops, custom-built kitchens, SMART home technology, and balconies with sweeping river views. A fitness center, library, and rooftop pool are just some of the many amenities residents can enjoy. Plus, getting to work has never been easier! And tenants of 525 Lafayette can take advantage of downtown Baton Rogue’s restaurants, shops, and exciting nightlife.

Link to Street View

Use the code below to embed the image on your website:

<iframe src=”https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/62/2016/06/3-525-Lafayette.html” width=”100%” max-width=”570″ height=”540″ frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no”></iframe>

4. Belle of Baton Rouge Casino & Hotel Garage – Beauregard Town

Year Completed: 2009

Finding parking downtown is no longer a problem! Seeing the need for more downtown-area parking, The Belle of Baton Rouge Casino & Hotel built this 24-hour parking structure on Mayflower Street. The garage has 750 spaces and offers both valet and free self-park to customers.

Link to Street View

Use the code below to embed the image on your website:

<iframe src=”https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/62/2016/05/4-Belle-of-Baton-Rouge-Casino-Hotel-garage-2008.html” width=”100%” max-width=”570″ height=”540″ frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no”></iframe>

5. IBM Center – Beauregard Town

Year Completed: 2015

The new IBM Center has brought over 800 new jobs to the Baton Rogue area. With its floor-to-ceiling windows, this beautiful new building has 360-degree views of downtown, including the Mississippi and the Capitol Building. The building design includes art-deco-style paneling, similar to other buildings in the downtown area. Inside, the walls are painted bright, cheerful colors, and the floor plan is open and inviting with classrooms, break rooms, and conference rooms with stunning city and river views.

Link to Street View

Use the code below to embed the image on your website:

<iframe src=”https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/62/2016/05/5-IBM.html” idth=”100%” width=”100%” width=”100%” max-width=”570″ height=”540″ frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no”></iframe>

6. Hampton Inn & Suites Baton Rouge Downtown – Beauregard Town

Year Completed: 2012

The new Hampton Inn & Suites is a charming, upscale boutique hotel that offers luxury and amenities at reasonable prices. It is the only hotel downtown that has private balconies with river and city views, and from the highest floors guests can see all the way to LSU’s Alex Box Stadium. The hotel is minutes away from LSU, and a short walk to the LSU Museum of Art, Old State Capitol, and Louisiana State Capitol – not to mention restaurants, bars, casinos, and attractions! Guests can stay in unique circular suites overlooking the Mississippi and enjoy free high-speed Internet and high-definition TVs with HD channels. Plus, there is a 24-hour fitness center, convenience store, and business center, all on-site.

Link to Street View

Use the code below to embed the image on your website:

<iframe src=”https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/62/2016/05/6-Hampton-Inn-Suites-by-Hilton-Baton-Rouge-Downtown.html” width=”100%” max-width=”570″ height=”540″ frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no”></iframe>

7. Sterling Burbank – Plantation Trace – College Town

Year Completed: 2015

These luxury off-campus apartments next to LSU offer one-, two-, four-, and even five-bedroom modern-design apartments with rents starting as low as $649 a month. In warm weather, Sterling Burbank residents can enjoy the lazy river pool, pool courtyard with sound system, outdoor amphitheater, putting green, sand volleyball court, stand-up tanning domes, bike share program, and BBQ area. When the weather turns cooler, there’s a heated pool and covered cabanas as well as a 24-hour fitness center. And when it’s time to get work done, residents can take advantage of the private and group study spaces and cyber café.

Link to Street View

Use the code below to embed the image on your website:

<iframe src=”https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/62/2016/06/7-Sterling-Burbank.html” width=”100%” max-width=”570″ height=”540″ frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no”></iframe>

8. Staybridge Suites Baton Rouge – Plantation Trace – College Town

Year Completed: 2011

Staybridge Suites is the premiere place to stay for those visiting Louisiana State University. The hotel is within walking distance of LSU and area restaurants, and only five miles from downtown Baton Rogue. The hotel is pet-friendly and 100% nonsmoking. It offers free laundry facilities, a fitness center, an outdoor pool, and a convenience store, as well as free breakfast each morning! All rooms have full kitchens with full-size refrigerators, microwaves, dishwashers, and all the dishes/utensils needed so you can make yourself at home.

Link to Street View

Use the code below to embed the image on your website:

<iframe src=”https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/62/2016/05/8-Staybridge-Suites-Baton-Rouge.html” width=”100%” max-width=”570″ height=”540″ frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no”></iframe>

9. The LSU Strength and Conditioning Facility – Louisiana State University

Year Completed: 2015

Also called the LSU North Stadium weight room, it is here at the LSU Strength and Conditioning Facility that LSU athletes come to train. The 10,000-square-foot facility used to house all of LSU’s sports teams, but now it is home to men’s and women’s basketball, gymnastics, softball, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, and the men’s and women’s tennis teams.

Link to Street View

Use the code below to embed the image on your website:

<iframe src=”https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/62/2016/05/9-LSU-Strength-and-Conditioning-facility.html” width=”100%” max-width=”570″ height=”540″ frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no”></iframe>

10. University Edge – South Baton Rouge

Year Completed: 2014

University Edge is a student apartment community that is a 10-minute walk from the LSU campus and one block from the Tiger Trails bus stop. Two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments are available – and each bedroom has its own private bath! Apartments have in-unit laundry and come fully-furnished, with rates starting at only $599 a month. The community at University Edge offers a fitness center, a pool, a gameroom and lounge, study spaces, tanning beds, and social events. And even pets are allowed in select apartments.

Link to Street View

Use the code below to embed the image on your website:

<iframe src=”https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/62/2016/05/10-University-Edge.html” width=”100%” max-width=”570″ height=”540″ frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no”></iframe>

How do you feel about the recent changes that swept through Baton Rouge? What’s your favorite addition to the city’s skyline?