Stirling Properties Announces True Food Kitchen as Tenant of The Julia at Saint Charles in New Orleans
Health-driven restaurant brand to anchor new mixed-used development in Warehouse District
Stirling Properties commercial real estate company is pleased to announce that True Food Kitchen will be the anchor tenant in The Julia at Saint Charles, an upcoming mixed-use development in New Orleans’ Warehouse District. This marks the first Louisiana location for the Arizona-based restaurant brand.
True Food Kitchen is a health-driven, seasonal restaurant merging nutrient-rich ingredients with a flavor-forward menu that rotates regularly to let guests experience great tasting food and thoughtfully crafted beverages—shared in an environment of infectious positivity. Founded by a passionate collective of accomplished chefs, visionary restauranteurs and a renowned doctor of integrated medicine, the restaurant brand is rooted in a belief that delicious dining and conscious nutrition can go hand-in-hand, without sacrificing flavor, creativity or indulgence. Its menu caters to nearly every food preference with a variant of gluten-free, naturally organic, vegetarian and vegan offerings.
Founded in 2008, True Food Kitchen currently has 23 locations in 10 states including California, Texas, Arizona, Georgia, Florida, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. The restaurant brand plans to double the number of restaurants it operates over the next three years. True Food Kitchen in New Orleans will occupy over 6,000 square feet of space in addition to a 2,000 square foot outdoor patio located on the corner of Julia Street and St. Charles Avenue. It is expected to open in the summer of 2019.
The Julia at Saint Charles will feature over 16,000 square feet of ground floor commercial space including an exciting mix of local, national, and international retail tenants. In addition to the commercial area, the project comprises almost 200 luxury apartments and enclosed parking facility, which will be available to both the residents and public. Construction is underway, and suite delivery is slated for the 4th Quarter of 2018. The development is set to open in the 2nd Quarter of 2019.
Joe Gardner, CCIM and Carly Plotkin, Sales & Leasing Executives with Stirling Properties, are the listing agents for the retail portion of the property, along with Stuart Zall and Gerardo Aguinis with The Zall Company. John Middleton of MJK Advisors represented True Food Kitchen in the lease transaction. The project is being developed by Audubon Capital Partners of Boston, MA, and Woodward Design + Build.
“We are thrilled to welcome True Food Kitchen as the anchor tenant to The Julia. This is an exciting new-to-market concept—not only for New Orleans but the entire Gulf South region,” said Plotkin. “True Food Kitchen’s innovative food experience will fit perfectly in New Orleans’ vibrant culinary scene, and further solidify our area as an attractive retail destination. We look forward to announcing more great tenants to the development very soon.”
For commercial leasing information, contact Joe Gardner, CCIM at jgardner@stirlingprop.com / (504) 620-8140 or Carly Plotkin at cplotkin@stirlingprop.com / (504) 620-8120.
Stirling Properties to Serve as Exclusive Tenant Rep for Planet Fitness in Greater New Orleans Area
Stirling Properties has recently been awarded the exclusive commercial tenant representation for United PF Partners, a Planet Fitness Franchisee Group, in the greater New Orleans area.
Planet Fitness has become one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the U.S. by number of members and locations. With more than 1,600 locations in 50 states, Canada and Latin America, Planet Fitness has continued to spread its unique mission of enhancing people’s lives by providing an affordable, high-quality fitness experience in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment.
United PF is the largest Planet Fitness Franchisee Group in the nation and growing at a pace of over 20 new clubs per year. There are currently seven Planet Fitness locations in the greater New Orleans area, including Covington, Gretna, Kenner, Metairie, New Orleans (Crowder Blvd.), River Ridge, and Slidell. Moving forward, United PF’s expansion goal is to ensure total market penetration, allowing convenient and affordable fitness access for all consumers in the market.
Ryan Pécot and Carly Plotkin, Stirling Properties’ Sales and Leasing Executives, are the exclusive tenant representatives for United PF and are working to secure new retail locations for the fitness franchise.
“We are thrilled about our latest partnership with Stirling Properties. With their additional expertise, we look forward to inviting new community members into our clubs and increasing convenience for our members in the Greater New Orleans region,” said Seth Parker, VP of Club Development for United PF.
“Planet Fitness is one of the leading fitness center franchises in the country, and they are planning an aggressive expansion targeting Southeast Louisiana,” said Pécot. “Stirling Properties is excited to have the opportunity to partner with Planet Fitness to help them identify and select the optimal locations to exceed their real estate goals. We look forward to announcing new locations to serve the greater New Orleans area very soon.”
For leasing information, contact Ryan Pécot at rpecot@stirlingprop.com | (337) 572-0246 or Carly Plotkin at cplotkin@stirlingprop.com | (504) 620-8120.
Stirling Properties helping to build Next Generation of commercial real estate professionals
In partnership with ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) Foundation, Stirling Properties’ team members have been actively involved in leading efforts to help create and maintain a pipeline of strong and diverse talent for the future of the commercial real estate industry. Two main areas of focus are centered on professional and academic development.
Next Generation is ICSC’s educational, networking, and mentoring program specifically designed for emerging retail real estate professionals who are seeking to develop and advance their careers and build relationships in the commercial real estate industry.
Townsend Underhill, Stirling Properties’ President of Development, is serving as the Southern Division Chairman for Next Generation—he is also Past Louisiana State Director for ICSC. Recently, his volunteer committee hosted the very first fundraising event for the Next Generation Fund of the ICSC Foundation during the ICSC Next Generation Conference in Toronto. More than $7,000 was raised to help support a professional education scholarship fund designed for up-and-coming professionals who are interested in progressing their skills in retail real estate.
Carly Plotkin, Sales & Leasing Executive with Stirling Properties, was awarded one of the first two scholarships from the Next Generation fund! Plotkin is also currently serving as the ICSC Next Generation State Chair for Louisiana and on the national Board for ICSC Next Generation.
“Stirling Properties is extremely proud of our work on this front. We are equally proud that one of our very own agents was awarded a professional development scholarship. No one is more deserving of this honor than Carly,” said Underhill. “Assisting new professionals in our industry to succeed—and even excel—in their careers is crucial for the future of our business. So we must be proactive in ensuring that we are not only attracting and retaining the brightest talent base available, but also equipping them with the tools they need to be prosperous.”
ICSC also supports numerous student academic programs, such as annual student membership opportunities, conference attendance, scholarships and experiential opportunities, as well as mentoring and job assistance.
Stirling Properties’ Vice President of Finance, Justin Landry, serves on the ICSC Foundation Talent & Education Committee, which focuses on identifying, attracting, and developing young people with interest in the retail real estate industry. The committee’s primary goal is to increase student engagement in ICSC, and focus on job placement within the industry.
Landry was selected to serve on the ICSC committee due to his background working with college-level students at LSU (Louisiana State University). He works as an instructor for the university teaching Finance 7720 (Commercial Real Estate Investing).
Over the past few years, Landry has been instrumental in introducing LSU students to academic scholarships and career placement opportunities, such as the ICSC Maurin-Ogden Foundation LSU Scholarship Award, funded by Jimmy Maurin and Roger Ogden, founders of Stirling Properties. Through the scholarship, students receive all-expense-paid attendance to ICSC RECon in Las Vegas, the world’s largest retail real estate convention. Each year, Stirling Properties hosts LSU Award Recipients at the conference, offering the students valuable exposure to industry leaders and potential employers.
Now, working with the ICSC Foundation Talent & Education Committee, future academic engagement strategies include developing and increasing student-focused events at major ICSC conferences; building relationships with universities and establishing/enhancing Real Estate Clubs; identifying and expanding educational opportunities such as internships and case competitions; and career placement programs such as career fairs and targeted recruitment sessions.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity for us to invest in the future of our industry, while also supporting local communities,” said Landry. “ICSC has been on the front lines leading this charge, and Stirling Properties is proud to be able to partner with them to advance their efforts. Collectively, we are developing strategies that will lead to job creation for students, economic growth for local communities, and talent retention within our industry. These are the next generation of executives and brokers that are going to lead our companies—it’s critical that we make them a priority.”
#StirlingProud
Fresh Food Eatery, Coffee Shop and Clothing Boutique to Open in LSU’s Nicholson Gateway
LSU and Stirling Properties announced today that Frutta Bowls, Starbucks and Private Stock apparel boutique will be retail tenants in the university’s new Nicholson Gateway Development Project, currently under construction on a 28-acre site of the Nicholson Drive Corridor, between West Chimes Street and Skip Bertman Drive.
The three tenants join anchor retailer Matherne’s Market and fast food restaurant Wendy’s in the roughly 50,000-square-foot retail component of Nicholson Gateway, which will serve residents of the project, the LSU community and visitors, as well as the surrounding Baton Rouge area.
“We are thrilled to have Frutta Bowls, Starbucks and Private Stock join Matherne’s Market and Wendy’s in our campus community. I’m confident these new neighbors will enhance the Nicholson Gateway living experience for the more than 1,500 students who will call this new space home in just a few weeks,” said LSU Assistant Vice President of Residential Life Steve Waller.
Opening its first Louisiana location, Frutta Bowls is a quick-service eatery offering acai, pitaya, oatmeal and kale bowls topped with fresh ingredients like fruit and granola. Their menu also includes smoothies, protein bites, kombucha and grab-and-go items.
Private Stock offers a selection of upscale sneakers and trendy apparel in a fashion-forward, hip atmosphere. Owner Donnie Alfred is a graduate of LSU and former LSU Track and Field sprinter, and is excited to move his Baton Rouge, La., store location closer to students.
Starbucks will operate a licensed location at LSU with indoor and outdoor seating to be a neighborhood gathering place for Nicholson Gateway residents, all LSU students, faculty, staff and visitors.
The LSU Property Foundation, an affiliate of the LSU Foundation, is facilitating Nicholson Gateway. Stirling Properties is serving as the retail developer and leasing broker on the project, working with the prime developer, Georgia-based RISE Real Estate, which specializes in student housing. Stirling Properties will also handle ongoing retail property management.
Opening this month, Nicholson Gateway will include 763 units of apartment-style housing for over 1,500 students, with associated residential support spaces, such as lounge spaces, study areas, community gathering places and retail food service. The project, focused on the largest underdeveloped tract of university-owned property that is adjacent to the campus core, will turn what has traditionally been the back of the campus into an exciting new gateway district while responding to demands for on-campus housing and supporting student success, improving the campus living experience for both undergraduate and graduate students.
For retail leasing information, please contact Dottie Tarleton, CCIM at dtarleton@stirlingprop.com / 225-922-4253 or Rhonda Sharkawy at rsharkawy@stirlingprop.com / 504-620-8145.
For student leasing information, visit lsu.edu/nicholson. Information about the overall project is available at nicholsongateway.com.
New Tenants Coming to Premier Centre in Mandeville
Stirling Properties commercial real estate company is pleased to welcome new tenants to Premier Centre in Mandeville, Louisiana.
- Jose Balli Jewelry will occupy 1,200 square feet of retail space in the former Aéropostalelocation. The southern Louisiana-based jeweler features award-winning gold and sterling silver designs, including Bayou State motifs, such as seafood, alligators and fleurs de lis. This will mark the 5th Louisiana location for the popular jewelry store. It is anticipated to open this December.
- J.Jill women’s apparel, accessories, and footwear is leasing the remaining 3,800 square feet of space to complete the retenanting of the building. J.Jill is a national omnichannel retailer and currently operates four additional locations in Louisiana, including Shreveport, Baton Rouge, Metairie, and Lafayette. The anticipated opening date is scheduled for early spring of 2019.
Rhonda Sharkawy, Senior Retail Leasing & Development Executive, is the exclusive commercial broker for Premier Centre and worked with both tenants to secure their new locations.
Premier Centre, anchored by Whole Foods Market, is located at the corner of U.S. Hwy. 190 & N. Causeway Blvd. in Mandeville, Louisiana, on the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain in St. Tammany Parish. It consists of approximately 273,000 square feet of retail and restaurant options and is currently 99% leased. Stirling Properties developed Premier Centre, and manages and leases the property.
Tenants include: Whole Foods Market, Bed Bath & Beyond, T.J.Maxx, Stein Mart, Forever 21 Red, Barnes & Noble, Old Navy, Rack Room Shoes, Gap/Gap Kids, Victoria’s Secret, American Eagle Outfitters, Banana Republic, LOFT, Blu Spero, Buckle, Bath & Body Works, H.W. Rosenblum, Earthsavers, Motherhood Maternity, la Madeleine, and Pinkberry. Electric car charging stations are also available in the parking lot near Whole Foods.
Stirling Properties has developed more than 21.3 million square feet of property totaling $1.8 billion, almost exclusively in Louisiana. Other Stirling Properties developments in the area include Fremaux Town Center (Slidell), River Chase (Covington), Northpark Corporate Center (Covington), and Hammond Square (Hammond), to name a few.
For leasing information, contact Rhonda Sharkawy at rsharkawy@stirlingprop.com or (504) 620-8145.
Stirling Properties To Manage and Lease Seaway Plaza in Gulfport, Mississippi
Stirling Properties commercial real estate company has assumed the property management and leasing contract for Seaway Plaza in Gulfport, Mississippi.
Seaway Plaza is a 33,982 square foot, two-story office building located at 14055 Seaway Road, minutes from the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, Gulfport Premium Outlets, and a variety of restaurants and hotels. The multi-tenant office building is approximately 70% leased and tenants include New Coast Cardiology and Progressive Insurance Company.
Stirling Properties has been assigned full management responsibilities including operations, accounting and brokerage services.
For information on property management & leasing, please contact Jason Scott at jscott@stirlingprop.com / (251) 342-7229 or Jill Meeks at jmeeks@stirlingprop.com / (251) 342-7229.
Stirling Properties manages more than 19.5 million square feet of commercial real estate with over 400 million square feet of property and land for sale or lease. Other Stirling Properties management projects in the area include Orange Grove and Hardy Court shopping centers in Gulfport, Choctaw Plaza in Waveland, and Academy Sports + Outdoors and Lakeview Village II & III in D’Iberville, among others.