“Meet Me in The Square!” The Story Behind Our Newly Revitalized Social Hub

Everyone at St. James Place knows that The Square, our original main building, is the heart of our community’s vibrant social scene. Its storied halls have set the stage for 40 years of dining, celebrating and mingling with friends. However, several years ago folks began to notice that decades of great times had left The Square in need of some TLC.

 Tonya Dixon, director of active lifestyles, explains what happened next. “For the past 14 months, we’ve embarked on a massive effort to restore The Square to its original glory … and then some,” she beams. “And the results are absolutely fantastic, unlike anything that Baton Rouge has seen in a long time.”

A True Community Effort

A project of this magnitude comes with a price tag, and the budget for renovating The Square was estimated at about $3 million. Our board of directors was 100% committed to the effort, but raising the funds would also take a herculean effort from residents and the Baton Rouge community.

 Annette Fitzgerald, director of the St. James Place Foundation, led the fundraising effort. “Our goal was to raise $1.35 million through the foundation, so in 2021 our committee of six created a promotional package for residents, family members and friends,” she explains. “We also met with business associates and vendors, who were very enthusiastic about helping us make the dream a reality.”

 So did the foundation meet its fundraising goals? Actually, it exceeded them. “The final tally was more than $1.65 million toward the renovations,” Fitzgerald reveals. “We originally thought we’d have to divide the project into two or three phases. But thanks to an outpouring of generosity, we were able to get everything done at once—including adding a patio and fire pit to the pool area.”

Attention to Detail, Down to the Last Chair

How did we know that the new St. James Square would live up to resident expectations? We asked for their expectations. “Residents wanted the renovation to be elegant, but homey,” Dixon stresses. So we arranged for them to meet in person with the artisans, interior decorators and others working to bring the space to life.”

The renovation team also considered the specific needs of the residents. One of Dixon’s favorite stories involves fixtures that often get overlooked: chairs. “When you get older, it’s more difficult to get into or out of chairs that have deep seats or rollers,” she explains. “So we brought some residents to a warehouse and had them ‘test drive’ the different chairs we were considering.” 

Dixon gives special props to Kevin Cheatham, director of buildings and grounds. “Kevin and his team worked closely with the architect and construction company,” she says. “Because The Square was originally built in 1983, it also needed updates like new wiring, Wi-Fi routers and hearing assistance software. They really had their hands full for 14 straight months.”

The Big Reveal

On November 2, more than 250 St. James Place residents came together to experience their new Square for the first time. After they strolled past a wall of photos celebrating life in our bustling community, they marveled at the abundant dining options, a new marketplace, gathering places and more. “Folks used words like ‘beyond expectations.’ They couldn’t believe how grand and elegant it was,” Dixon says.

Two popular spots, the theater and the club room, were redesigned from top to bottom. “The theater was reimagined with a purple and gold theme evocative of LSU,” Dixon explains. “And we expanded the game room with extra tables and chairs, as well as a fireplace. It’s beautiful.”

Down the hall, we transformed our convocation room into an elegant venue for art shows and concerts. And when it’s time for religious services, two grand doors open to reveal a stately altar that can be used by clergy of all faiths.

And the dining! Residents can savor chef-prepared delights at Belle Fontaine, our newest restaurant, which overlooks a glorious year-round fountain. The Blue Heron Bistro, where good food and drink mix with lively conversation, always draws a crowd as well. As an extra touch, the wallpaper there is graced with images of our community’s beloved Duplantier Oak.

Fitzgerald can hardly believe the electricity in the air as folks enjoy The Square’s new amenities. “In the mornings, almost every table in the bistro is filled and the club room is packed with people playing mahjong and poker,” she says. “You can really feel how much fun people are having.”

A Grand Jubilee

What better way to celebrate The Square’s revival than with a festive party, one that just happened to coincide with our community’s 40th anniversary. The St. James Place Foundation organized the event, which was funded by a silent auction and a fantastic slate of sponsors.

“We decided to call it our Ruby Jubilee, because a ruby is the traditional gift for a 40th anniversary,” Fitzgerald explains. The 500-person guest list included dignitaries, politicians and officers from other nonprofits in the Baton Rouge area. Shannon Rogers Duckworth, the Episcopal Bishop of Louisiana, was also on hand to deliver the invocation. 

But Fitzgerald’s favorite moment was the chance to honor the generous residents, vendors and others who have donated to the foundation over the years. These included past and present members of both the St. James Place board and the foundation’s board.

“We were especially delighted to recognize three founding board members from 1983 who are still with us,” Fitzgerald says. “And family members of other founding board members were on hand to accept the honor on behalf of their parent or grandparent. It was beautiful to see that they still maintain ties to our community.”

There’s so much to do and see in the newly renovated St. James Square, but one thing is still missing: you. If you’d like to take your own stroll through The Square and get a taste of our friendly, active community, call (225) 215-4510 today to schedule a tour.