Field of Dreams Comes To Fruition
The Miracle League Northshore recently celebrated the ribbon cutting of its new Children’s Hospital & Brees Family Miracle Field located at Coquille Parks and Recreation in Covington, Louisiana!
The Miracle League works to provide disabled children and young adults, regardless of their level of disability, the opportunity to play league games and enjoy the emotional and physical benefits of being part of a team. The group promotes the health and well-being of children with disabilities, provides opportunities for non-disabled children to learn about and interact with children with disabilities, and develops community awareness and support for athletes with disabilities through organized sports leagues.
Previously, the children played on a natural-grass field, but the dirt and grass design was challenging and unsafe to maneuver from a wheelchair or with crutches used by many Miracle League participants. Coquille Parks and Recreation donated land, and after a years-long fundraising campaign, the group was able to raise enough money to build a brand new special-needs field.
The new Miracle Field is a specially constructed surface that uses a cushioned, synthetic turf to accommodate wheelchairs and other walking-assistance devices that, along with appropriate support facilities, is designed specifically for use by children with disabilities.
Stirling Properties is proud to have played a small role in this significant accomplishment. In 2016, we selected the Miracle League Northshore as one of the beneficiaries of our annual Stirling Olympics fundraiser, raising $28,000 to help fund the new playing field! Additionally, Team Stirling members—Griffin Lennox and Bradley Cook—have been active volunteers and ambassadors with The Miracle League since 2015.
Lennox also serves as a “buddy” for participants with The Miracle League to help encourage learning and fun. “Stirling Properties is grateful to have had the chance to participate in such a rewarding project and see the Miracle Field finally come to fruition. Every child deserved the opportunity to play sports and have fun interacting with other children—and this new field offers a supportive environment to do that. Being able to work with The Miracle League over the last few years has been incredibly rewarding. The excitement and determination you see on our players’ faces are truly inspirational,” said Lennox.
Stirling Properties was one of the many supporters to help bring the project to fruition, but the two major sponsors, Children’s Hospital and the Drew Brees family, really knocked it out of the park! Together, they gave more than $400,000 of the $900,000 it cost to complete the facility.
Now, let the games begin! The inaugural spring baseball games have kicked off. Visit miracleleaguenorthshore.org to learn how you can get involved. Volunteers and financial support is needed for continued operation of the Miracle Field.
#StirlingProud
Stirling Properties Welcomes Mike Rayburn as Sales & Leasing Executive
Stirling Properties commercial real estate company is pleased to welcome Mike Rayburn as Sales & Leasing Executive for its Commercial Brokerage Division. He will work from the company’s Baton Rouge office located at 8550 United Plaza Boulevard, Suite 303. This marks Rayburn’s second stint with Stirling Properties, having worked for the company from 1988 to 1994.
Rayburn brings more than 30 years of successful commercial real estate experience with various transaction types, including the sales and leasing of retail and office properties, new developments and redeveloped properties.
He has extensive capability working in a transactional and advisory capacity for a broad range of national, regional and local clients, private portfolio owners and managers, and investors.
From market research and site selection to identifying opportunities and value-add for problem properties, Rayburn has a strong background in forecasting goals, strategy development, and implementation necessary to grow and maintain revenue stream and asset life for clients.
Prior to joining Stirling Properties, Rayburn served as Senior Leasing Representative with Commercial Properties Realty Trust in Baton Rouge, the for-profit arm of Baton Rouge Area Foundation (BRAF). In this role, he worked on commercial real estate ventures that created long-term value and impact for the Capitol Region. He was part of the team that facilitated notable revitalization projects such as Bon Carré retail redevelopment, Acadian Village—home of Louisiana’s first Trader Joe’s, the Hilton Capitol Center, and the IBM Service Center, just to name a few.
Rayburn is an active member in the Commercial Investment Division (CID) of the Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors and the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).
Mike Rayburn can be reached at (225) 329-0277 or mrayburn@stirlingprop.com.
Club 4 Fitness continues to flex its muscle across the Gulf South
Club 4 Fitness continues a rapid expansion effort across the Gulf South region with the addition of four new locations in Alabama and Louisiana. Justin Toomey, Broker Associate with Stirling Properties, and Kenneth Herring, Broker with Kerioth Corporation, worked with the all-inclusive fitness facility to identify and secure the latest retail locations.
Club 4 Fitness will occupy 47,061 square feet of retail space in McGregor Square located at 3930 Airport Blvd in Mobile, Alabama, and plans to open in the second quarter of 2019. Buff Teague and Leigh Dale Younce with JLL represented the landlord at McGregor Square.
The Club is also leasing 26,500 square feet of space in Wildwood Center located at 265 Lakeshore Parkway and 30,187 square feet at Brook Highland Plaza in Birmingham, Alabama, as well as 33,387 square feet at Country Club Plaza in Slidell, Louisiana. These three locations are expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2019 or early 2020.
The company currently has 14 fitness facilities operating or coming soon throughout Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, with more on the way. Plans are in place for an aggressive expansion effort across the southeastern region over the next few years.
“Stirling Properties is proud to work with Club 4 Fitness to bring its quality fitness concept to our local markets in the Gulf South,” said Toomey. “As consumers continue to prioritize health, the fitness industry is growing faster than it has ever before—a trend creating significant opportunity for the commercial real estate sector and property owners trying to backfill empty retail space.”
Fitness and health clubs have morphed into a more than $30-billion-a-year industry in the U.S., with growth by at least 3-4% annually for the last ten years. According to research, there are currently more than 36,000 health and fitness facilities across the country boasting more than 60 million members.
Spending in health clubs is growing
(Compiled data from ICSC)
“We anticipate these numbers to grow even more—possibly double over the next 10-15 years—further signifying a very successful future for Club 4 Fitness and other fitness facilities,” said Toomey.
For leasing information, contact Justin Toomey at jbtoomey@stirlingprop.com or (251) 342-7229.
Exciting Residential Improvements Coming to River Chase & Fremaux Town Center Multifamily Properties
Stirling Properties announces exciting new residential improvements planned for the Retreat at River Chase in Covington and Retreat at Fremaux Town Center in Slidell’s multifamily apartment communities. The $1 million upgrades will be spread across both properties with an emphasis on enhanced residential amenities and revitalized common spaces.
Retreat at River Chase in Covington, Louisiana
Construction work has begun on the installation of state-of-the-art seafood and grill stations. Large pavilions will be erected and equipped with grills, seafood boil space, and granite counter tops with built-in waste receptacles for discarded seafood shells. The space will also include lounge areas with fire pits and yard games. The pool area will be upgraded to include a more resort-style setting with furniture, landscaping and pull-down projection screens to watch sporting events. All amenities will be accessible for residents of the properties on a first come, first served basis.
Additionally, parcel pending lockers, also known as “smart” lockers, will be installed in central areas of the facilities to collect delivered packages and e-commerce orders for residents. A property manager will receive all deliveries, assign the packages to an individual lockbox that alerts tenants of the delivery and provides a digital access code for easy, convenient retrieval. The lockers are designed to eliminate clutter due to the overwhelming amount of daily delivered packages to residential properties and to provide an extra layer of security for parcels otherwise left unattended on doorsteps.
Work has already commenced on the projects, and anticipated completion is planned for the end of March.
Retreat at Fremaux Town Center in Slidell, Louisiana
Justin Landry, Vice President of Finance for Stirling Properties, noted that the demand for high-quality apartment properties continues to be strong, especially in high population growth areas such as St. Tammany Parish and the Northshore region of New Orleans. However, demographic shifts and technological advancements are affecting housing, and tenant expectations are becoming increasingly sophisticated in the multifamily residential market sector—they want luxury living, ample amenities, open and active public spaces, all at affordable prices.
“The Retreat at River Chase and Retreat at Fremaux Town Center are both strategically located in mixed-use developments that encompass the prevalent live, work, play environment that has grown in popularity, especially among the large millennial demographics,” said Landry. “These new residential amenities will enhance the community connectivity of our existing properties and make them much more attractive in the market as new multifamily options come online every day.”
The Retreat at River Chase (formerly Springs at River Chase) is a 296-unit luxury apartment community located within the 253-acre River Chase mixed-use development at Interstate 12 and LA Hwy. 21 in Covington, Louisiana. The Retreat at Fremaux Town Center (formerly Springs at Fremaux Town Center) is also a 296-unit multifamily community located within the Fremaux Town Center mixed-use project at Interstate 10 and Fremaux Avenue in Slidell, Louisiana. Stirling Properties’ residential portfolio includes 1800 multifamily units totaling more than 1.5 million square feet of properties throughout South Louisiana.
President’s Message: In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity
There is an old Chinese proverb that says, “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.”
To some, today’s relentless pace of change can seem like chaos. At Stirling Properties, we embrace it as an opportunity to grow, diversify and evolve.
2018 was another such year of opportunity for our company as we continued to translate our talent, resources and skills into new and diverse projects, properties and challenges.
Take a look at just a snapshot from 2018.
So, what comes next? More chaos, more change and more opportunities—we at Stirling Properties are excited and ready!
– Marty Mayer
Stirling Properties Mobile Office Market Survey 2018
Stirling Properties is pleased to release our
Mobile Office Market Survey for 2018.
The assessment—compiled by Jill Meeks and Jack Conger, Sales & Leasing Executives with Stirling Properties—reiterates the continued growth rate of the Mobile area, particularly among the industrial sector. The office segment remains stable, with office investment activity for both the Central Business District (CBD) and West Mobile attracting attention. However, many new prospects are eyeing our region, and we anticipate a considerable increase in occupancy over the coming years.
Additionally, we are seeing the conversion of numerous historic buildings into new uses, such as retail and office space, which is another strong indicator of increased occupancy. Although many existing office buildings in Mobile are mature properties, owners who update or consider innovative uses for their assets may experience increased leasing activity and improved tenant retention.
These are exciting times for Mobile indeed! Companies, business leaders, and individuals with vision, who embrace the ability to adapt to changing times, will help to keep this momentum going! We say, “Let the good times roll!” Happy New Year and Happy Mardi Gras to all!
Click here to view and download the complete 2018 Mobile Office Market Survey.
Please contact Stirling Properties or one of our team members for any questions or comments.
We appreciate the information provided by all of the various property owners, leasing agents and other individuals that makes this survey possible. Thank you.
