Successful Grand Opening of New Walgreens Marquee Store on Magazine Street

Pictured Left to Right – Lewis W. Stirling III (Executive Vice President, Stirling Properties), Peter Aamodt (Vice President of Development, Stirling Properties), Kim Treece (Market Vice President, Walgreens), Troy Menard (District Manager, Walgreens), Councilwoman Susan Guidry, Mayor Mitch Landrieu, Chris Sperling (Store Manager, Walgreens)

Mayor Mitch Landrieu, Councilwoman Susan Guidry, area retailers, members of Stirling Properties and representatives of American Legion Post #307 recently participated in a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Walgreens marquee store at 5518 Magazine Street. The site is the original home of the Ed Brauner American Legion Post #307 and portions of the building date back to 1947. After a full renovation, the new 13,000 square-foot store has a drive-thru window, full-service pharmacy and a Look Boutique specializing in high-end cosmetics.

“The way we’re going to make the best city in the world is through partnerships,” emphasized Mayor Landrieu, in reference to the community involvement in the planning of the new marquee store.

As developer for the project, Stirling Properties worked closely with Magazine street business owners, neighborhood associations, and World War II Veterans to create a vision of what this distressed building could become. “This project was a group effort from start to finish, and because of this approach everyone involved deserves a great deal of credit and can be proud of the finished product”, stated Peter Aamodt, Vice President of Development for Stirling Properties.

To pay homage to War Veterans and the building’s former use as a meeting spot for them, several American Legion images and symbols were incorporated into the new store’s design. Following the Grand Opening, the Veterans in attendance unveiled a bronze plaque in tribute to the American Legion Post #307.

Bill Detweiler, the Past National Commander of the American Legion and Local Post #307 and the Veteran’s representative on the project team, thanked Stirling Properties for their recognition of the building’s history. Mr. Detweiler mentioned that he and fellow Veterans wanted a good, productive neighbor for the Uptown community…”A business who would take care of this building.”

The design of the new building was achieved after numerous meetings with the design team, local retailers, area residents and the City of New Orleans. The front and rear facades of the building were replaced and the interior fully demolished. The new design features large windows to showcase the building’s interior, a pedestrian entrance on Magazine Street, and a rear parking lot with a drive-thru window.

See below for before & after pictures:

Walgreens Magazine Before & After – Front Facade

Walgreens Magazine Before & After – Rear Facade

Walgreens Magazine Before & After – American Legion Tile

Walgreens Magazine Before & After – Interior

Walgreens Magazine Before & After – Interior

Walgreens Magazine Before & After – Interior