50 Cent's G-Unit buys two buildings in downtown Shreveport. See what they are. (2024)

It's official. Two family-owned buildings in the 200 block of Texas Street in downtown Shreveport, have been sold to , LLC,attorney Richard John told The Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate.

The buildings are 218 Texas St., the former Drake Building, and 205 Texas St., which has housed a number of night spots — Chicky's Boom Boom Room, Aura Allure Lounge, and more recently, the Inferno Cigar & Hookah Lounge.

John, an attorney and a member of the family who sold them said, "We didn't give the buildings away, either— they (G-Unit) spent money on them." The buildings had been listed at $395,000 for the 7,200 square-foot 205 Texas St., and $333,000 for the 13,388 square-foot 218 Texas St. Though 218 Texas is larger, it has been vacant longer and will require more rehab.

John said that neither side was present at the closings, and he was not told what the buildings' uses might be. Beth King, a commercial real estate broker specialist, represented the sellers. "It's good to see investments on Texas Street and it's encouraging the amount of activity that we're seeing," she told us. "When people see others investing, it sparks additional investment in downtown." John was also happy that his family's buildings would see use again. "This is all good, it's time to move forward and for these buildings to become occupied."

The buildings, though across the street from each other, are in two different downtown zoning sub-districts. The 205 Texas St. location, the former lounge, is in the entertainment sub-district. It is on a block in which there have been several clubs, there is an attorney and other offices, a building for sale for possible condo conversions and The Standard 509 apartment building.

On the north side of the street, 218 Texas is in the central business district sub-district. It is surrounded by office towers, a children's educational non-profit, an art gallery, offices, residential, and a single nightclub.

The Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate contacted 50 Cent's public relations specialist Amanda Ruisi about G-Unit's plans for the buildings and have not yet received a response. A city representative shared that it appeared the rapper's plans for 205 Texas was for it to remain a bar/club.

Jackson's company has a 30-year lease with the city of Shreveport on the former Millennium Studios at 300 Douglas St. G-Unit is currently awaiting final approvals on a similar lease of the former Expo Hall/Stageworks facility at 400 Clyde Fant Parkway.

According to the as-yet unsigned Expo Hall lease with the city,"G-Unit Film & Television Louisiana, LLC ('Tenant') desires to operate a sports and entertainment event venue to include, but not be limited to, amateur and professional basketball and volleyball leagues and tournaments, amateur and professional boxing and MMA matches, seminars, conventions, auto shows, concerts and general business meetings."

Jackson has stated that he plans to hold a Humor & Harmony festival in Shreveport in August. City officials confirm that G-Unit has asked to hold the event in a large air-conditioned inflatable structure to be erected in the parking lot at Commerce and Travis Streets, just behind the former Expo Hall.