Called the “Center for Economic Development,” the 10,800-square-foot building—which is about 2,000 square feet larger than the original headquarters—is being billed by BRAC as a “hub where entrepreneurs from the private sector can gather to determine growth plans and new innovations.” It features a new courtyard, conference center, meeting rooms and high-tech presentation space.
“The new, modern space demands attention and poses itself as the anchor facility for the Capital Region’s business community,” says BRAC President and CEO Adam Knapp. “With finishing touches underway, we look forward to sharing the space and opening our doors to the public soon.”
During the remodel, BRAC’s roughly 30 employees worked from a temporary space on the 10th floor of the Chase South Tower. No one is currently slated to move into the now-vacant 5,800-square-foot space, says Gary Black, the tower’s leasing agent.
The chamber has been located at the Laurel and 6th streets site for more than 50 years, and the building had not been updated since the mid-1980s. Milton J. Womack was the contractor and WHLC was the architect.
BRAC isn’t the only organization moving from one downtown address to another. Last week, the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge announced it would move into the so-called Triangle Building on St. Ferdinand Street, twice the size of the council’s longtime Laurel Street office.