New developments coming soon to Lake Area
Published 10:26 am Monday, February 17, 2014
The promise of new Lake Area industry has prompted a housing study, but Robert Daigle, Southern Lifestyles Development Company, isn’t waiting for the final data. “We’ve had our eye on the Lake Charles market for some time,” he said. “We believe that there will be a shortage of housing in the coming years that we can address.”
The company is moving forward with several communities. In Lake Charles, there is Oak Grove and Audubon Oaks near highways 14 and 397, and The Lakes at Morganfield and The Village at Morganfield are the developments planned for the cleared acreage along East McNeese Street and Corbina Road. Belle Savanne is in Sulphur on Hwy. 27 east of Carlyss Drive.
“Infrastructure for The Lakes at Morganfield and Belle Savanne will be complete in about six months,” said Prescott Bailey, development associate for Southern Lifestyle.
The Lakes at Morganfield and Belle Savanne will include almost 400 acres and sites for 1,500 homes, according to Bailey. These structures will include a range of housing options such as apartments, townhomes, cottages and estates.
Daigle is the developer behind Lafayette’s River Ranch Community, a TND or traditional neighborhood development. For such communities, walkability and communal green spaces are key issues. The Village at Morganfield will be such a place. In addition to living areas, the development will include retail and office space.
Bailey said, “Being able to walk to the grocery store or a restaurant is something that we find our residents in our other communities really appreciate.” Talks have started with possible retailers, according to Bailey.
He said that Lake Charles’ influx of workers requires “housing products” with different price points. However, these products will be offered in a “smart growth ideal” neighborhood that includes accessible lakes, parks, jogging trails, playgrounds and pools.