A New Development on St. Charles Avenue
The former Rite Aid on St. Charles Avenue will become a new live, work and play development.
The Besthoff family has owned the property ever since the original K & B drugstore was there over sixty years ago. The family is excited to get construction going on the project. 
The plans call for redeveloping close to the entire city block of St. Charles and Louisiana Avenues, and Carondelet and Delachaise Streets. The new 200,000 square feet development will have two apartment buildings, and 18,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. The development is one of the many new projects that are along St. Charles Avenue.
So far, 3401 St. Charles, LLC, the name of the Besthoff’s company, has approval from the Historic Districts Landmarks Commission and the city Board of Zoning Adjustments. They have also settled a lawsuit with the Garden District Association over the height of one of the apartment buildings. The next step will be to obtain permits from the city and finalize financing for the more than $55 million project. The company hopes to break ground later this year.
“We are lining everything up and are optimistic we will be ready once we get our permits, which we know will take some time,” the statement said.
They have purchased the land that was once Ochsner Health Center and will demolish the center along with the drugstore to make way for the two apartment buildings. One of the buildings will be U-shaped in design and house one, two and three bedroom units. The complex will have a swimming pool, dog park and enclosed parking garage that will all be for residents only. Retail space will fill the ground-floor area that will hopefully house retail, a local restaurant and a local coffee shop.
The other apartment complex will have 20 units on three stories and will be permanent housing with no short term rentals. Along with the buildings and amenities they will add new street lights, landscaping, outdoor seating and protected bike lanes.
“Everyone wanted something on that corner, other than a vacant old Rite Aide. So, we are hopeful they will do a quality development that will benefit not only them but the neighborhood,” comments Garden District Association President Allain Hardin.
