Belle of Baton Rouge Scraps Plans to Demolish Historic Building Near Casino

Posted on: July 25, 2024, 04:56h. 

Last updated on: July 25, 2024, 04:56h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

The parent company of the Belle of Baton Rouge has folded on its plans to demolish a historic building near its casino hotel.

Belle Baton Rouge Louisiana casino
The Belle of Baton Rouge had asked local permission to demolish a historic brick building adjacent to its hotel. After backlash from preservationists, the casino has opted to keep the building as is. (Image: Google Maps)

The Queen Casino & Entertainment Inc., the owner of the Belle of Baton Rouge, is amid a $141 million overhaul of the riverboat that will result in a new land-based casino. The investment will additionally cover each of the 250 hotel rooms being renovated.

With a larger forthcoming brick-and-mortar footprint, Queen Casino had filed plans with the East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council to demolish a building it had recently acquired at 103 France Street. The property is the Maritime II, a more than 100-year-old historic building.

After hearing from preservation advocates and an application denial from the Baton Rouge Historic Preservation Commission, Queen Casino opted to withdraw its demolition plans. The Baton Rouge Historic Preservation Commission serves the parish council in an advisory capacity only.

“We applaud the Belle of Baton Rouge for withdrawing their application/appeal to demolish the 100+ year old Maritime II building. The group of downtown citizens and leaders that came together to advocate and preserve our cultural and historic identity are to be commended,” read a statement from Citizens for Downtown Progress, a grassroots coalition of residents opposed to Maritime II’s demolition.

Community Partner

Queen Casino & Entertainment and its landlord, Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (GLPI), are bankrolling the $141 million inland relocation of the Belle of Baton Rouge. GLPI is funding the bulk of the investment — $111 million — while Queen Casino is responsible for the remaining $30 million.

The partners hope to bring new life to the casino hotel and transform the area into a downtown destination that’s popular with locals and travelers to the capital city and nearby Louisiana State University campus. The $141 million project had planned to replace the Maritime II building with a parking lot.

Boo Thomas, one such preservation advocate, thanked the casino for its change of heart.

They are going to gain so much more by doing this and being a real partner with us citizens,” Thomas declared.

Casino reps said they initially thought they needed to demolish Maritime II to add about 75 parking spaces to meet the city’s code for the forthcoming casino. It was later determined that the hotel’s 10-level parking garage and ample surface parking surrounding the property are already adequate.

Project Timeline 

The Belle of Baton Rouge riverboat remains in operation as the hotel room makeover and renovation of the property’s atrium to become a land-based casino continue. The riverboat presently offers 380 slot and video poker machines, plus electronic table games.

The forthcoming land-based casino will feature 750 slots, 24 live dealer table games, and a sportsbook. The renovation is expected to be completed by September 2025.

The Belle of Baton Rouge at that time will undergo a rebranding, with Queen Casino hinting that the new name will pay homage to the casino being located in “Catfish Town.”