BATON ROUGE, La.--KTGY Group Inc. and JTS, a Baton Rouge-based developer, have announced the development of Rouzan Village, a mixed-use project located in the historic Southdowns neighborhood of Baton Rouge.

The first phase of the new community will feature approximately 80,000 square feet of retail anchored by Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, and up to 220 residential rental units including live/work studios.

"We have designed Rouzan Village as a regional destination for culture, commerce and entertainment," KTGY principal Sy Perkowitz told GlobeSt.com. "It is a neighborhood of discerning bon vivants, and living proof that the new can be as charming and full of character – and as desirable – as the old."

According to Perkowitz, the architectural design of the buildings will be inspired by the Gulf Coast-style typically found in historic New Orleans. Each of the three buildings will have ground-level retail with three-stories of residential rental units above. The live/work studios will be designed to have potential retail/commercial space on the lower portion, with living above. The residential units are expected to include one- to three-bedroom apartment homes ranging in size from 700 to 1,400 square feet. Two parking structures and street parking will provide parking for approximately 900 cars to accommodate shoppers, movie patrons and apartment residents. New infrastructure is planned as a part of the development and will include public improvements such as a park and public art.

"In Rouzan Village's design, KTGY artfully addresses the complex challenges of combining residential, retail and office spaces into one building," says Rouzan developer Tommy Spinosa. "It is great to work with an award-winning firm that has the expertise to design both the residential and retail/commercial components in a way that creates a more vibrant neighborhood and invigorating pedestrian experience. We are very excited about this project and what it means to this community."

Austin-based Alamo Drafthouse Cinema's local partner Cojeaux Cinemas will open the 33,000-square-foot theater, the first one in Louisiana. Anthony Coco, president and CEO of Cojeaux Cinemas, says that the theater will have seven screens and approximately 850 seats. Food, beer, wine and liquor will all be available before, during or after the film.

The theater is expected to begin construction next year and open in mid-2016. Village Center's residential component is expected to break ground in mid-2015 and take approximately 14-18 months to complete.