Construction is expected to begin soon on a new housing complex near Southern University, where developers plan to convert a blighted building into student living space.
Jaguar Colosseum, a $1 million development announced by Southern alumnus and project developer Dexter Henderson, will sit along Scenic Highway a couple of miles from the university’s campus, repurposing a long-vacant building.
The new student housing will have at least six fully furnished, four-bed, two-bath apartments for more than 20 students. The apartments will come stocked with a full kitchen and high-speed internet. The site also will include community and study spaces.
The developers have no plans to knock down the building, and instead are opting to gut the inside and build up from within. Architects believe the concrete building, which is rumored to have once held fireworks, is one of the strongest structures in the city, Henderson said.
“If there was some bad weather or something happened in Baton Rouge, that would probably be the safest building in Baton Rouge,” Henderson said.
Henderson is a 1983 graduate and former football player for Southern who says he wants to give back to the school after finding success in his career. He started with providing support to the university’s STEM programs, but Henderson saw a need for housing and wanted to help by creating Jaguar Colosseum, which has been in development for about a year, Henderson said.
“Knowing that Southern had an issue with housing for students, I thought it would be a great opportunity, a great investment, not only in the community but also to help Southern grow,” Henderson said.
Community leaders and developers on the project believe the project will be the next step in the revitalization of the Scenic Highway and north Baton Rouge.
"This is exactly the type of investment our community needs,” said Metro Council member Anthony Kenney, who represents Scotlandville. “The Jaguar Colosseum transforms blight into opportunity while creating new housing options that support Southern University and strengthen North Baton Rouge.”
With permits secure, construction is expected to be completed for opening in early 2027.