The five-story residential community will bring 251 apartments to the heart of Jefferson Parish’s largest commercial corridor.
ELMWOOD — Vertical construction is underway on The Francis, a five-story, 251-unit multifamily development on the site of the former Kmart at Elmwood Center. Developer Lauricella Land Company, partners Felicity Property Co. and Setpoint Ventures, and builder RNGD joined Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (JEDCO) and other parish officials at a September 30 groundbreaking ceremony.
The multifamily development will transform a long-underused retail property into an active residential community in the heart of Jefferson Parish’s largest commercial district. Residents will live within walking distance of Elmwood’s shops, restaurants and employers.
The Francis will feature one- and two-bedroom apartments with open-concept layouts and modern finishes. Amenities include a central courtyard with a resort-style pool and landscaped green space, a fitness center, co-working and creative spaces, a resident library, a dog walk, and additional community gathering areas.
“Turning a vacant commercial site into a dynamic residential community requires disciplined coordination and a high standard of execution across every phase of construction,” said RNGD Founder and CEO Wesley J. Palmisano. “Our team and trade partners are proud to help bring the next chapter of Elmwood Center to life.”
The development team estimates the project will generate about $3 million in construction permitting fees and building material sales tax revenue during construction and support more than 200 construction and permanent jobs.
Hancock Whitney Bank is providing project financing. The Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (JEDCO) worked with the Jefferson Parish Council and the development team on economic incentives, including a Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) structure. LRK is serving as architect, Parallel is leading interior design and RNGD is the builder.
Lauricella Land Company is also planning a 70,000-square-foot expansion of Elmwood Center’s retail and dining options next to The Francis.
The Francis is named for Francis “Hank” Lauricella, a longtime New Orleans businessman, developer and public servant who played a major role in Elmwood’s growth. He served Jefferson Parish for more than three decades in the Louisiana House of Representatives and State Senate. An All-American at the University of Tennessee, he finished runner-up in the 1951 Heisman Trophy voting and was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.
Construction is on track for completion in spring 2028.
About RNGD
RNGD is a top-tier national leader in construction services and one of the fastest-growing businesses in the Southeast U.S. Since the company’s founding in 2013, RNGD has challenged the status quo and brought an entrepreneurial mindset to the construction industry. Repeatedly honored by Inc. magazine, Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) and Engineering News-Record (ENR), RNGD is reimagining construction for revolutionary results. To learn more, please visit www.rngd.com.