The Marcel Contraband Point Development project is full steam ahead, in more ways than one.

“We’re dealing with heat just like everybody else,’ said Vernon Veldekens, Marcel founder and owner of VMV Construction. “In the next 60 days we expect structures to be dried in. The interior build out will go from there. Office spaces will be available at the end of September, restaurant spaces and the sports bar, later this fall.”

Despite 96 degree temps Monday, the rat-a-tat-tat of the nail gun could be heard as construction workers started nailing skin to the bones of the red iron of the buildings erected on the 12-acre site.

The project is located on Contraband Parkway, near the Russell T. Tritico Sr. roundabout at Holly Hill/West Prien Lake Road. (Contraband Parkway winds around to connect with where Nelson Road dead ends to the north.)

Phase one, the Town
Center, includes a two-story office building, Apex Executive Suites, Atelier Salon, Perfect Round and large food hall.

The Executive Suites will offer snacks, water and coffee for free, conference rooms and a receptionist, according to Veldekens.

Atelier Salon is a high end salon offering its services and high end brand hair and beauty products.

Perfect Round is a golf-simulated sports bar – and Veldekens described the bar as a “real mixology type.”

“The simulated golf will be better than being on a golf course, especially in this crazy heat we’ve been dealing with,” Veldekens said.

The Conservatory is a food hall with six different kitchens. It will include a turfed pavilion area and big screen TVs, a great place to watch a game and grab food for all tastes and age groups.

Sterling Properties will be handling office space leasing.

“People are going to like what they see,” Veldekens said. “They’ll appreciate how we’re going to help them get their business started and the incentives offered.”

Phase 2 of the Marcel Development could include a multi-family or single-family residential project.

“Every project we do is organized around a grand central park, known for walkability and it is family oriented,” Veldekens said.

The developer was transparent about the challenges to developing the property purchased in 2021. Mid-year, inflation surged. On the upside, in America, economic hardship has proven to be the right time for some entrepreneurs to start a new business, lease new space.

“Right now, I think you have to be cautious,” he said.

Developers, and not just Marcel, experienced a 42 percent increase across the board in every single category.

“We have seen materials drop, just a little bit,” he said. “But we haven’t seen labor drop yet. Across Texas, leasing activity is high. “That’s the spirit of the American people, I think, when things get tough they open businesses.”

The Nelson Road Extension is going to be a game changer, Veldekens said. With the announcement of the bridge, all the hotels in the area teamed up together to build a boardwalk to connect the hotels to our Town Center and Shucks, a Louisiana restaurant that began as a small oyster bar in Abbeville in 1973.