Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter said real estate developer Green Coast Enterprises will take on the task of redeveloping the historic property at 710 Ryan St. (the old Zephyr’s nightclub).

The investment totals $16 million, and will involve turning the 3-story, 40,000 square foot building into a commercial space. The ground floor will house food and beverage tenants while the upper floors will be turned into office space.

Jackie Dadakis, CEO of Green Coast Enterprises, said she and her team are excited to bring eco-conscious economic development to Lake Charles. “We are excited to expand into Southwest Louisiana, and into the Lake Charles market in particular,” she said. “We found a beautiful, historic building on the Ryan Street corridor that we get to return to commerce.”

“It’s the perfect project for us. As with all Green Coast developments, partnerships with local businesses and building green are important to us and this project will exemplify those qualities.”

Green Coast Enterprises was founded in 2007 with the mission to “increase economic vitality, environmental health and social activity through development and partnership with public, private, non-profit and community organizations,” according to their website. Currently, the company has aided in developing properties worth over $200 million in New Orleans.

Hunter stated that partnering with Green Coast is an honor. “We are thrilled to welcome Green Coast Enterprises to the City of Lake Charles,” he said. “Their reputation and track record is stellar, and we are honored to have them invest in Lake Charles.”

For Hunter, proper downtown development is vital for Lake Charles to flourish. “A thriving and growing downtown corridor is critical to the overall health of a city.”

He continued by stating that this development will lead to an increase in commercial possibilities downtown. “Green Coast Enterprises’ work to restore this historic structure while providing new options for retail, dining and office spaces will be an incredible addition to a block that is already an anchor for Downtown experiences,” he said. “We look forward to seeing this development progress.”

Green Coast is working with MPM Developers and Chase Marshall Architects. Development is estimated to begin at the start of 2023 and to be completed in the summer of 2024.

Those that are interested in becoming tenants can contact Rafe Ravalais, vice president of Real Estate Development for Green Coast, at rafe@greencoastenterprises.com.