A major new development spanning two city blocks in the heart of Belhaven is just around the corner, bringing with it a unique blend of restaurants, retail options and office and residential space.
The estimated $20 million development to the east of Baptist Medical Center officially entered phase one on Monday when developers and business owners introduced the “Belhaven Town Center” to the public.
Belhaven development idea in the works for several years
The center will cover 3.56 acres and offer close to 120,000 square feet of office, residential, retail and restaurant and entertainment space.
It will span two full city blocks, bordered by North Street to the west, N. Jefferson Street to the east, Carlisle Street to the south and Poplar Boulevard to the north.
“This represents the fabric of the community. It’s a neighborhood town center representing Belhaven,” said David Turner, one of four developers behind the development.
Turner, the owner of David Turner Companies, is the project construction manager and general contractor. He is partnering with Reed Hogan Sr., his son Reed Hogan and Ruffin Lowry — all Belhaven residents — on the multimillion-dollar project.
The idea for the center has been in the works for at least the last seven years, Turner said. It is based on what’s called the urban magnet theory, or an overall design that reflects the character of the neighborhood. This includes keeping the architecture historically accurate as well as providing a place for the community to gather for activities.
Many of the business owners will be from the Belhaven neighborhood, Turner said, ensuring the center will keep a local flare and include their unique talents.
The development is purposely located off the beaten path, about a block away from the more heavily trafficked North State and Fortification streets. It’s away from the hustle and bustle, but also close to the residential expanse of Greater Belhaven which has more than 1,000 homes to draw from.
The town center is also close enough to Millsaps College and Belhaven University to bring in the college-aged crowd, plus health care professionals at the nearby Baptist Medical Center, Turner noted.
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Campbell’s Craft Donuts opens Saturday as part of Belhaven Town Center
The first of three restaurants — each offering unique fare — will open Saturday. Campbell’s Craft Donuts, owned by pastry chef Mitchell Moore, will offer craft donuts, gourmet coffee and tacos.
Moore is the owner of Campbell’s Bakery in Fondren and Campbell’s Bakery in Madison.
The building at the intersection of Manship and North Jefferson streets was once a dilapidated, abandoned apartment building. It was renovated and rebuilt “in the same footprint,” Turner said.
The second floor will now offer nine offices with a conference room and shared kitchen. Turner said all of the spaces have been leased out, possibly a good sign of what’s to come.