CenLamar | Est. 2006

  • Alexandria’s Tallest Buildin’

    In order to provide some context, this is the former Guaranty Bank and current Capital One Bank building, located across from the “new” Alexandria City Hall and the Hotel Bentley. It is the tallest building in Rapides Parish and a cornerstone of Downtown Alexandria.

  • Down with City Hall!!

    …the building people…I’m talking about the building! Kudos to Lamar for the great bit on the Bentley. It truly is the centerpiece of our area and the crown jewel of any successful effort — whatever eventual form it may take to develop our downtown. However, there is one stark reality that needs to be addressed quite openly and seriously regarding downtown development and the viability of the Bentley in general — City Hall. Although the photos on the previous story are great and truly reflect the glamour of our gran dame hotel, the photo above captures the reality of the…

  • Historic Alexandria: The Hotel Bentley

    PLEASE NOTE: This post will be a constant Work In Progress. Despite its trials and tribulations throughout the past 100 years, the Hotel Bentley is arguably the most important, historic, and architecturally significant structure in the City of Alexandria. During the previous decade, the hotel has been closed more often than it has been open. Currently, the hotel is owned by Baton Rouge entrepreneur (and Alexandria native) Bob Dean, who closed for business back in December of 2004. The Hotel Bentley was constructed in 1907 by Joseph Bentley, a native of Pennsylvania who became wealthy in the lumber industry in…