#LouisianaStrong
This is a challenging time for South Louisiana. Many of our family and friends have experienced unprecedented devastation and loss resulting from disastrous flooding in the area. At least 40,000 homes have been damaged and thirteen people lost their lives.
The historic flooding resulted from record ‘1,000-year’ rainfalls produced from an unusual series of slow-moving thunderstorms that dumped tremendous amounts of water on an isolated area in excess of 30 inches in 48 hours. It was more than rivers and drainage systems could possibly hold.
Though the devastation was severe, we are thankful that the vast majority of South Louisiana is safe. In large part, those of us that have previously flooded were spared, and areas that have never seen flooding before were inundated.
While some are still struggling, conditions are improving. Louisianans are resilient—as we’ve seen time and time again—and efforts are already shifting to recovery and progress. People are returning home, businesses are reopening. Cities and communities that were not directly impacted have the opportunity to pay it forward with relief efforts to assist our neighboring residents in need.
Stirling Properties is directing our energy and resources to our employees and surrounding communities that were affected by the flooding. We’re collecting and distributing emergency assistance supplies and basic needs items for victims, and our team members are volunteering with clean-up and recovery efforts. We’re partnering with many local organizations and have made financial contributions to several nonprofits to assist with relief efforts, as well as providing emergency housing.
Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the people, businesses and communities affected by this horrific event. Stirling Properties is committed to South Louisiana and the surrounding areas, and we will be here to help in the recovery efforts, both short- and long-term.
Thank you to everyone that has reached out to us and offered your support and assistance. We are truly grateful for your generosity.
Stirling Properties Takes the Gold During 2016 Stirling Olympics
Stirling Properties has its own version of the premier sporting event! Employees and agents recently celebrated the 4th Annual Stirling Olympics, an event hosted by the Stirling Stewardship Committee to raise money for charitable causes. The event was a HUGE SUCCESS, raising $57,000 for local nonprofit organizations!
Funds raised benefited The ALD Foundation, which strives to raise awareness and supports the research of Adrenoleukodystroply, a genetically determined neurological disorder that affects young boys between the ages of four and ten, as well as The Miracle League of Greater New Orleans, which works with mentally and physically handicapped children so they can participate in everyday sports. Representatives from each organization were on hand to accept a check for $28,000 each.
With funds from Stirling Olympics, The Miracle League is now one step closer to constructing a new field for its Northshore division, where children will have access to a safe playing environment!
Here are a couple of comments from the recipients:
“Special thank you to Stirling Properties for selecting us as a beneficiary of their Olympics this year. Their contribution to the construction of the new field pushed us over the halfway mark to being fully funded!” -Representative, Miracle League
“Stirling welcomed the Adrenoleukodystrophy Foundation and honored us with extreme generosity. The best I can offer to each employee who outdid themselves is thank you. Going forward, the commitment I have already made is to give in a manner that elicits a similar response. Leading with love and care is the best possible path any of us may traverse. Thank you Stirling.” -David Cry, Founder of The ALD Foundation
Throughout the day, teams battled one another in 10 quirky competitions – Basketball with a Football, Musical Chairs, Separation Anxiety with M&Ms, Junk in the Trunk with Kleenx boxes and ping pong balls, Tick-Tac-Toe, Flashdance Pedometer Race, Hula Hoop Chain, Plinko, Heads Up and Team Relay. Scores were tallied and individual medals were given for each event.
Teams were also awarded medals for top overall, top fundraising, most team spirit, most creative, and best sportsmanship. Events were judged by Chris Roig (Netchex), Caitlin Scanlan (VOA of Greater NO), Christi Zito, Steve Zito (Zito Russell Architects), and Steve Serio (Fishman Haygood law firm).
The Gold Medal overall went to The Walking Dead! Congratulations to Carrie Creel (Team Captain), Beezie Landry, Cyndie Quave, Dominick Constanza, Jill Meeks, Paul Blackwell, Paul Mastio, Rachel Jerkins, Samantha Marshall and Elaine Fullerton.
The Silver Medal was awarded to Wonka’s Wild Things – Chris Abadie (Team Captain), Gaines Seaman, Heather McGowin, Hilary Creamer, Justin Toomey, Carly Plotkin, Rachel Fonseca, Shelley Collins, Jeff Barnes and Saban Sellers.
The Reasonably Eccentric Degenerates took home the Bronze Medal – Marty Mayer (Team Captain), Donna Allsup, Griffin Lennox, Jaime Burchfield, Jeanne Taravella, Johnny Tolson, Mark Salvetti, Peggy Foots, Sabrina Narcisse-Lewis and Robin Day.
At the end of the day, in an effort to raise even more money, the owners participated in a surprising and crazy lip-syncing contest, resulting in an additional $8,500 for the Stewardship Committee. This additional money will be used by the Stewardship Committee to donate to additional nonprofits throughout the year.
A heartfelt thanks to our supporting sponsors, including Richard Price Contracting Company, Brasfield & Gorrie, Fishman Haygood Phelps Walmsley Willis and Swanson, First NBC, Vinson Guard Service, Walker & Dunlop, Adam Ifshin, Arkel Constructors, Associated Building Services, Bellingrath Wealth Management, Berkadia Commercial Mortgage, BH Management Services, CBRE, Duplantis Design Group, Fidelity Bank, Gladstone Jones, IBERIABANK, Jake Netterville, Jones Walker, Kean Miller, Kent Design, Longnecker & Associates, Precision Waste Solutions, Regal Construction, Rotolo Consultants, Rozas Ward Architects, Whitney Bank, Zito Russell Architects. Thank you to our in-kind sponsors Whole Foods Market and Panera Bread.
And a big shout-out to the Stirling Stewardship Committee for all their hard work organizing the event and making it happen! You all deserve a round of applause!!
#StirlingProud
Stirling Properties Names Carly Plotkin as Sales and Leasing Executive
Stirling Properties commercial real estate company is pleased to announce Carly Plotkin as Sales and Leasing Executive for its Commercial Brokerage Division. She will work from the company’s New Orleans office located in the Pan-American Life Center at 601 Poydras Street, Suite 2755.
Plotkin has extensive knowledge in the commercial real estate industry, with a primary focus on tenant and landlord representation, and a strong interest in the retail and hospitality market. She has worked with national, regional, and local clients in both marketing and leasing capacities.
Previously, Plotkin worked with The Howard Hughes Corporation, where she led local marketing and development efforts for the overhaul of the former Riverwalk Marketplace into the nation’s first downtown outlet center, The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk in New Orleans.
Prior to that, she served as Marketing Manager at the historic Hotel Monteleone and headed marketing efforts for projects such as the hotel’s 125th Anniversary, and The Carousel Bar & Lounge redesign and reopening.
A native of Winter Park, Florida, Plotkin is a graduate of Tulane University with a Bachelor’s degree in Consumer Behavior/Marketing and Management. She obtained her real estate license in 2015.
Plotkin is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and currently holds the role of ICSC’s Next Generation Committee Chair for the state of Louisiana. She is also a member of the Retail Broker’s Network (RBN) and NOMAR CID (New Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors Commercial Investment Division). Plotkin is affiliated with several nonprofit organizations, including Loyola University Executive Mentor Program, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Ochsner Cancer Institute and French Quarter Festival, Inc. Most recently, she was accepted into the Anti-Defamation League’s 2016-2017 Glass Leadership Institute program.
Carly Plotkin can be reached at (504) 620-8120 or cplotkin@stirlingprop.com.
Stirling Properties to Develop Medical Facility in LaPlace
Site Work Commences On New Home to Ochsner Medical Complex
Stirling Properties is pleased to announce the acquisition of 11.93 acres of land in St. John the Baptist Parish for development of a new medical facility and additional commercial development. The site is located at the northwest corner of W. Airline Highway and N. Sugar Ridge Road in LaPlace, Louisiana.
Phase I of this development includes a lease to Ochsner Clinic Foundation for a roughly 20,000-square-foot freestanding emergency room and diagnostic center on approximately 3.5 acres of land. Ochsner Medical Complex-River Parishes is relocating from Rue de Santé to this new facility at 1900 W. Airline Highway. Site work commenced the second week of July and completion is slated for the second quarter of 2017.
Ochsner is southeast Louisiana’s largest nonprofit, academic, multispecialty healthcare delivery system, encompassing numerous owned, managed and affiliated hospitals and neighborhood health centers across the region, and is consistently ranked among the top healthcare providers. Ochsner is also one of the largest employers in the area and a major economic contributor to the Gulf South region.
“Health care is a major growth sector, creating demand for medical facilities, office space and retail support,” said Townsend Underhill, Senior Vice President of Development for Stirling Properties. “Freestanding clinics and targeted medical service facilities are the future of health care and commercial real estate—this new development in LaPlace will not only bring services closer to our communities, but also create new jobs and economic opportunities.”
The adjoining +/- 8.4 acres of the LaPlace facility are currently available for additional commercial development. The property is zoned commercial and is open to compatible use expansion, e.g. office, hospitality, retail, medical, etc.
Stirling Properties has been at the forefront of commercial real estate investment and development in Southeast Louisiana and the Gulf South region, and is committed to bringing quality development and top-notch tenants into local neighborhoods. Since 2010, Stirling Properties has developed more than 3.7 million square feet totaling $465 million, almost exclusively in Louisiana.
For sales and leasing information, contact Beezie Landry at (985) 246-3781 or blandry@stirlingprop.com.
Change in Management and Leasing of Perkins Rowe In Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Stirling Properties announces that Texas-based Trademark Property has purchased a minority ownership interest in Perkins Rowe mixed-use retail center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and will be taking on daily management and leasing of the property effective August 1, 2016.
Trademark will be joining Crawfish LLC in the ownership of the high-profile property. Trademark is a full-service real estate firm focused on investments, development and institutional services of experiential, mixed-use and daily needs properties, and will be bringing services of Perkins Rowe in-house.
Stirling Properties currently holds the contract for leasing, sales, and property and construction management services at the center and will be transitioning daily responsibilities to Trademark.
Stirling Properties has managed Perkins Rowe since 2013 and is credited with bringing the property to its full potential. Plagued by a challenging history of financial, legal and construction challenges, Perkins Rowe today is a one-of-a-kind community, shopping and residential center. Stirling Properties successfully increased retail occupancy to nearly 90% and office occupancy remains high at nearly 100%. Property apartments and condominiums are complete and in commerce, and all litigation issues have been resolved. Perkins Rowe is now a leading destination in the metro Baton Rouge area. No other property offers the convenience of living, shopping, eating, and entertainment, without ever getting in your car.
“Our goal was to turn the property around and achieve a positive return on investment for the ownership group. We are extremely excited about where Perkins Rowe is today, and believe this is a great place to turn over management,” said Donna Taylor, Senior VP of Asset Management & New Business Development with Stirling Properties. “We’ve committed a tremendous amount of time and resources to this project—along with the ownership’s financial commitment—to ensure that Perkins Rowe would shine as the premier up-scale mixed-use project it was originally envisioned to be.”
Perkins Rowe is a roughly 710,000-square-foot premier mixed-use retail, office and residential development located at the corner of Perkins Road and Bluebonnet Boulevard in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Opened in 2007, Perkins Rowe is a strong mix of retail brands and soft goods retail stores, entertainment venues and restaurants.
President’s Message: Do Something.
Lately, there are days when it is extremely challenging for me not to get discouraged and disgusted by the barrage of tragic news continuously pouring in from around the world, our country, and most recently, our great state of Louisiana. Increasing violence, deafening angry voices, and escalating hatred are sadly becoming the new normal and all too frequent.
But then, there are days when I am reminded about the virtuous things. Days when my faith in humanity is restored and I remember what is truly important.
One of those days came last Friday at our annual Stirling Olympics, a company-wide fundraiser for local nonprofit organizations. Our incredible Stirling Team joined together to enjoy some friendly competition and good-natured rivalry. We competed in ridiculous games, crazy lip-syncing contests and clumsy relay races. But the most amazing moment was witnessing the genuine pride in our team when the funds were presented to the recipients.
This year, we set a lofty goal of raising $45,000 through Stirling Olympics and I am pleased to say that we surpassed that goal, reaching $57,000! Funds raised from the event benefited The ALD Foundation, which strives to raise awareness and supports the research of Adrenoleukodystroply, a genetically determined neurological disorder that affects young boys between the ages of four and ten, as well as the Miracle League of Greater New Orleans, which works with mentally and physically handicapped children so they can participate in everyday sports. What a perfect day!
For those of you that know me, I have an extensive collection of quotations from famous authors, celebrities and business leaders that inspire and motivate me in one way or another.
There is one on my office wall right now by basketball coaching legend, John Wooden, that is particularly meaningful to me and relevant today:
“You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.”
Yes, we can have good days when we celebrate our business successes and growth, or even personal accomplishments and material possessions. But in order to achieve living a perfect day, it must include a selfless act for the benefit of someone else.
What if we all devoted a little more time doing something to help someone else, rather than creating divisiveness, turmoil and tearing each other down? Could we accomplish more perfect days?
I am very proud of our Stirling Team for their hard work and generosity last week. They were equally proud to have made a difference in someone else’s life—especially those children from the Miracle League and the families from The ALD Foundation that joined us.
I know that we can’t change the world or solve all of life’s problems, but we can do our part, no matter how large or small. A kind gesture as simple as a smile can bring hope in those days of discouragement and disgust.
So my message today is to please go out and do something. Go out and do something—anything—kind for someone who will never be able to repay you. And let’s just see what happens.
#StirlingProud!
