When The Lake Charles Capital Tower Is Gone, What Do You Think Should Replace It?

(Lake Charles, Louisiana) - The Capital One Tower is scheduled for demolition on September 7, 2024. On that day the Lake Charles downtown skyline will be forever changed. The 22-story tower was designed by Lloyd Jones Brewer Associates of Houston with 400,000 square feet of space situated on a four-acre lot. The layout included a suspended bridge for pedestrians that was attached to a parking garage across the street.

The construction crews F. Miller and Sons of Lake Charles and Houston's Miner-Dederick broke ground on the project in January 1982 and the tower opened in 1983. The cost was an estimated $45 million.

Heavily damaged by Hurricane Laura in 2020 the tower's owner Hertz Investment Group filed a 140 million lawsuit against its insurer Zurich American Insurance. The fate of the tower was left hanging in the balance with Hertz facing millions of dollars in repairs. The lawsuit would drag on for four years. Mayor Nic Hunter said of the ongoing legal battle,

"The best case scenario is to see the “iconic building rehabilitated. The worst case scenario was for the building to remain in its current form for an extended period of time with no end in sight.”

But ultimately the city of Lake Charles was left with the decision to tear the building down. Lloyd D Nabors Demolition, LLC out of Dallas was given the task. The process began in July and so far the main atrium of the building, and bridge are gone. September 7 is the tentative date to bring the remaining tower down. When it's gone, that space will leave a big hole in the Lake Charles skyline.

I gotta admit I hate to see it go myself. One thing's for sure. it was built to last. Since 1983 there have been dozens of hurricanes that have hit Lake Charles. That building withstood every one of them! What do you think the city should do with the property? What would you like to see put in its place? Please leave your idea in the comments section so everyone can see it.

MY IDEA

• Build a bigger, better tower.
• Make it part hotel & spa and part luxury condo living.
• Since there is only one hotel in all of Downtown Lake Charles, we could use at least one more or two more.
• Include a couple of restaurants, stores, and shops on the main floor.
• Put another parking garage and walking bridge to accommodate hotel guests, condo tenants, and visitors.