What’s to become of the vacant Lafayette Street building across from the Hilton Capitol Center? – What’s up with that?

A: Only architect-owner Trey Trahan knows

While the Hilton Capitol Center’s stellar renovation continues to win fans and accolades (it’s up for an elite four-diamond rating from the American Automobile Association), the building across the street remains gutted, its future uncertain.

Downtown renovation guru Danny McGlynn sold the building at 232 Lafayette Street to his friend, award-winning architect Trey Trahan. “I sold the building to Trey with the intent that he was going to do something with it quicker than I could,” McGlynn says.

That was four years ago.

Trahan paid $900,000 for the building in 2005. He plans an extensive makeover for the 1920s-era building, which has housed a print shop and later became a warehouse and was owned by former state Sen. J.E. Jumonville Jr. Renovation plans include offices for Trahan’s architecture firm and residential living space on the top floor and rooftop.

Trahan’s firm has had its hands full in recent years designing sports stadiums and other projects. But he assures 225 he’s already in the design phase of the building.

“I haven’t decided yet in what direction I want to take it,” he says. “If I decide soon, construction can start in six to nine months. The entire project would probably take about a year.”

An architect of international renown, Trahan has yet to put his uniquely creative fingerprint on an urban Baton Rouge streetscape, and some observers say this just may be the one.

Either way, Trahan may get some gentle nudging from his friend McGlynn. “If he doesn’t do something, I want to buy it back from him,” McGlynn says.