River Ranch

Premier neighborhood. Prime location. Luxury homes. All of these terms are frequently used to describe Lafayette’s River Ranch community. But what none of those phrases can convey is the feeling of being part of this 900-household planned development. It’s modeled after traditional neighborhood patterns, which are designed around a town square, and has taken its architectural inspiration from the iconic mansions and Creole Cottages of New Orleans. The community is split into two districts, each of which has its own charms like dedicated green spaces, shopping centers, restaurants and walking trails. In fact, the neighborhood was created with walkability in mind and select streets are pedestrian only.

“This is the first planned live-work-play residential and commercial development in the heart of Lafayette. It includes a variety of building styles, some Mediterranean and some with New Orleans flare,” says Tyler Albrecht, a Realtor with Keaty Real Estate. “Every fall and spring they have Rhythms on the River, a free concert experience on Thursdays when the weather gets nice.”

Arla Slaughter, a Realtor with Latter and Blum, says, “River Ranch has everything you need. It’s got some of the nicest housing options in Lafayette with many businesses and shopping at your fingertips (or a golf cart ride away). And the location of River Ranch in Lafayette itself is convenient – near hospitals, big box shopping like Costco and Whole Foods, and nestled in the curve of the Vermillion River.”

Because it’s built around a centralized community space, most people will pass through the Town Center at least once a week. There you’ll find various boutiques and diverse dining options, in addition to grocery stores and banks. But one of the most lovely and unique features is the River Ranch gazebo. This beautiful structure plays host to several festivals and numerous events throughout the year, including Rhythms on the River, a seasonal concert series, and The Big Easel, an open-air art festival featuring artists from across the region.

The homes, townhouses and apartment buildings have taken their architectural cues from Louisiana’s rich cultural heritage. Strolling along the generously sized sidewalks, you’ll encounter New Orleans-style mansions, Creole Cottages and more. The entire area occupies just over 300 acres, making it spacious yet accessible. Some homes even have views of the bordering Vermillion River. Prices vary for townhouses and condos while houses in River Ranch sell for between $475,000 for a four-bedroom cottage to $1.4 million for an estate home on an oversized lot.

Students will have their choice of private or public schools including Broadmoor Elementary, Edgar Martin Middle or Ovey Comeaux High. Home of the bears, Broadmoor Elementary is not only a School of Academic Distinction, but also a National School of Excellence. Edgar Martin Middle has earned a B grade from the education ranking website, Niche. It has a dedicated Deaf Education program as well as teaching English as a Second Language courses. O. Comeaux High is an academy for performing, visual and applied arts. The diverse facility has numerous extracurriculars like Speech Squad, Robotics and Science Club.

Being located in South Louisiana, part of the neighborhood’s easy living attitude comes from the richness of its eating establishments, and River Ranch has no shortage of exciting places to dine. Pour Restaurant and Bar makes creative and seasonal New American cuisine. It sources its ingredients from local producers and prides itself on the freshness of its dishes. The bar is no less impressive. With a list of handcrafted specialty cocktails like the Rumspringa, Lady Rosa, and Peach Fuzz, Pour has one of the happiest hours in town.

Ruffino’s on the River trades the relaxed, casual atmosphere of Pour for an environment of easy elegance. Ruffin Rodrigue had an unusual reason for wanting to create an eatery where all of life’s experiences could be celebrated. Growing up, he worked with his father preparing graves in the local cemeteries. Realizing early life is worth enjoying, Rodrigue opened his dream establishment in 1998. Today, it has some of the most lauded meals in Lafayette. The restaurant also has interactive culinary experiences where guests can help prepare a five-course meal with step-by-step instructions from a team of chefs.

River Ranch offers residents a return to a more connected way of life among beautiful buildings and friendly neighbors.

Written By

K.T. Phillips

Video By

Brian Bernhard