Trappey Riverfront District

The transformational redevelopment of the abandoned Trappey Cannery on the banks of the Vermilion River in Lafayette, Louisiana leverages creative program, branding, architecture, and planning to create an iconic sense of place while successfully integrating complex programmatic needs with a thoughtful mix of preservation, re-interpretation, and new construction. The project includes the adaptive reuse of the nationally registered historic Trappey Cannery Complex, the renovation of three larger existing public parks, and enhanced public connectivity that collectively create a mixed-used riverfront district that revitalizes and activates the Vermilion River while providing amenities to the local community.

The transformational redevelopment of the abandoned Trappey Cannery into the reimagined Trappey & Bayou Vermilion Waterfront District Vision Plan leverages creative programming, branding, architecture and planning to create an iconic sense of place while integrating a thoughtful mix of preservation, re-interpretation and new construction. This reimagining seeks to repair the environmental and social damage caused by the routing of the elevated Evangeline Thruway through the district while introducing density and mixed-use opportunities to reknit the district back into a remarkable composition of open space and natural resources. The project is the result of a collaboration between both a public and private client group (the City of Lafayette and Trappey Riverfront Development LLC).

NAVIGATING THE DISTRICT

Vehicular Connectivity

The district will feature 21.5 acres of urban mixed-use riverfront area with programming including 775,000 SF of multifamily residential, 170,700 SF of hospitality, 133,400 SF of commercial office space, 150,900 SF of retail/dining, a 21,500 SF market and parking for 1,760 vehicles.

NAVIGATING THE DISTRICT

Bicycle Trail

A major tenet of the new plan is the idea of reconnecting and unifying the communities to the east and west of the development and uplifting a holistic planning framework for new construction that reinvigorates existing underutilized parks as well as the Vermilionsville Historic Village.

NAVIGATING THE DISTRICT

Pedestrian Orientation

Pedestrian corridors break down the scale of the blocks, with two major circulation spines tying together and energizing the center of the community. The plan also revitalizes and reactivates existing public spaces such Lil’ Woods Park, a city-owned playground and neighborhood destination.

EMBRACING TRADITION

Parade Routes and Access

Together, the community, city, developer and design team prioritized connectivity – outlining different uses and areas of activation within the site as well as connections outward to three significant public parks. Parades, local events and festivals, which are a unique and special part of Louisiana’s culture, were considered in the design, with the reimagined district expanding existing routes to engage the neighboring river and communities.

Process

Historical and Existing Images

In the early 1800's Indigenous native American tribes inhabited the area.
In 1920's The Texas Company (Texaco) leased the property to Baldwin Lumber and Star Salt.
The flood of 1927 brought 10' of water and destroyed portions of the buildings.
From 1930-1981, B.F. Trappey's Sons Inc operated the business including a cannery, electric plant, boiler house, canned goods warehouse, storm room, receiving shed and several platforms.

Building upon existing conditions, the main goal is to activate the river and create internal open spaces that create activity throughout the site. Program is placed accordingly to activate open spaces.