Striking a balance between modern convenience and natural beauty is the biggest challenge of any new real estate development, but that’s exactly what St. Francisville residents can expect from the forthcoming Parker District. 

West Feliciana’s new mixed-use development promises historically-influenced home designs and commercial amenities set amid mature trees and expansive greenspace. After two years of planning, The Reserve at Parker District is finally taking shape, offering 50 exclusive homesites for single-family detached homes, cottages, and townhomes, on a tract between US Highway 61 and Commerce Street on the edge of St. Francisville's Historic District. The residential community incorporates more than eight acres of natural open space, in addition to all-underground utilities—including the fastest fiber Internet in the country for your new home office.

Future commercial development is planned for the Highway 61 end of the Parker District tract adjacent to the McDonald's. The commercial development will include a collaborative business conference area, which will be available to property owners within The Reserve at Parker District.

"The project has been a labor of love that began over two years ago when we first conducted planning meetings with local residents, government officials, and other stakeholders," says Discovery Real Estate and Development owner Scott Sanchez. "We are excited to offer the first new home community within the town of St. Francisville in decades."

The Reserve at Parker District residential community encompasses some 16 of the development's 30 acres. Lots are currently available for purchase with low-cost financing offered through Bank of St. Francisville for qualified borrowers. (Interested in purchasing? Click here to learn about the special terms we can offer as the preferred lender for Parker District.)

“Parker District will blend seamlessly into what people expect of St. Francisville,” says Sanchez, a St. Francisville resident. “We maintained a majority of the trees and topography, which was so important to the community.”

The new development will feature modern, mid-sized homes and a large natural area that will include walking and jogging trails, a dog park and an exercise circuit.

Parker District is situated on a thirty-acre swath of land between Burnett Road and Commerce Street, on the west side of Highway 61. It’s positioned near existing amenities including Audubon Market, the West Feliciana Parish Library, West Feliciana Parish Hospital and other commercial and retail establishments. Its proximity to Highway 61 and situation at the southerly end of the parish look likely to make it highly desirable for prospective residents working in Baton Rouge.

Sanchez, a twenty-five-year veteran of the regional commercial real estate business, is embarking on the development in response to the need for more housing in the community. The architectural style of the homes will be “historic St. Francisville,” Sanchez explains, with projected house sizes ranging between 1600 and 2500 square feet. Some will be single-family detached houses, while others will be multi-family attached townhomes. Parker District will also feature a fitness center anchoring the commercial portion of the property that fronts Highway 61—an amenity requested by St. Francisville residents during community planning meetings.

“It will be a large facility including top-of-the-line treadmills, fitness equipment and free weights and will be available twenty-four hours, seven days per week,” said Sanchez.

Sanchez has spent his career developing garden-style office parks, small community retail centers and single-family detached subdivisions throughout greater Baton Rouge. Twelve years ago, he and his wife moved to St. Francisville. He says they were drawn by the town’s charm, school system, and recreational opportunities.

While Sanchez recognized St. Francisville’s need for additional housing, he also understands the community’s ongoing concern for responsible growth and the importance of preserving St. Francisville’s well-known natural beauty. He held a series of meetings with community members to solicit feedback on the project’s design.

To finance Parker District, Sanchez has worked with Bank of St. Francisville. His relationship with the bank dates from 2008, when the national downturn in real estate caused a lender to pull out of one of his development projects. BSF stepped in to replace the lender, and within a year, the project was profitable.

“I have always greatly admired Bank of St. Francisville’s commitment to the St. Francisville community and to their customers,” said Sanchez. “As we move forward with Parker District, the financial support provided by Bank of St. Francisville will be vital in the execution of the development plan for the community.”