Stirling Properties Opens New Office in Pensacola, Florida, To Further Expand Gulf South Presence
Stirling Properties is pleased to announce the opening of a new office in Pensacola, Florida, in SunTrust Tower at 220 West Garden Street, Suite 802. As the company’s first location in Florida, the office joins 12 other offices located in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama to further strengthen Stirling Properties’ presence in the Gulf South. Will Barrois, Vice President and Regional Manager of Alabama/Florida, oversees all business development throughout the region.
“Stirling’s expansion into the Panhandle of Florida is yet another important step in the long-term strategic plan of servicing the entire Gulf Coast market,” stated Marty Mayer, President and CEO of Stirling Properties.
Stirling Properties will continue to handle the full-time management and leasing of SunTrust Tower. The 9-story, 95,000 square-foot office tower has been the premier office address in the downtown market for 40 years. Jason Scott, Senior Sales and Leasing Executive/Property Manager, transferred from Stirling’s Mobile office to the Pensacola office, where he will oversee the management and leasing of SunTrust Tower. Holding a broker’s license in both Alabama and Florida, Mr. Scott will also be responsible for expanding third party brokerage and management opportunities in Northwest Florida. With over 35 years’ experience in commercial real estate, Mr. Scott began his career in Pensacola and is excited to be part of Stirling’s expansion into Florida.
“Handling the management and leasing of SunTrust Tower gives us a great opportunity to expand Stirling’s footprint into the Florida Panhandle,” stated Will Barrois. “We are looking forward to serving our existing clients and expanding the full complement of property management, brokerage, acquisitions and development from our new Pensacola office.”
For your commercial real estate needs in Florida, contact Stirling Properties at the new office located at 220 West Garden Street, Suite 802, Pensacola, Florida, or call (850) 418-6792.
Property Management, Information Technology and the New Paradigm
Used to be that technology was an afterthought, if it was a thought at all, when it came to property management. No one thought twice about putting file servers, telephone systems, sharing the office Wi-Fi with the public and having each management office a self-contained island unto itself. We’re long past the days, when we could put a desktop at a managed property office and simply forget that the computer was there until the computer died or a user complained. While the most important element of property management is still the right property manager, with the advent of Internet-connected building automation, Voice Over IP (VOIP), cloud offerings, server virtualization, software as a service (SaaS), desktop as a service (DaaS) and the well-publicized complete lack of security on the Internet, it’s time to pay attention to how property management offices are utilizing technology, how the offices are secured and how we are maintaining the infrastructure.
Here at Stirling we’ve taken over a lot of management contracts in the last few years and the thing that strikes us from the IT-perspective is how little attention has been paid to the automation and the office systems. Even from the large, national property service companies, we’ve seen file servers and desktops systems at managed properties that are past end-of-life such that the manufacturers are no longer providing security updates. We’ve seen automation systems, directly connected to the Internet with no firewall and still running default system credentials, leaving not only that system, but the entire office vulnerable to attack. Accounting or Point of Sale Systems on the same network as the HVAC or Automation Systems without network segmentation or firewalls is simply asking for trouble.
While other industries have been quick to embrace technology, it sometimes seems that Commercial Real Estate as an Industry has gotten a half-step or two behind where we need to be in maintaining our technology. Overhauling systems doesn’t necessarily have to be a large expense. In a lot of cases, the savings from removing the maintenance costs associated with outdated systems will go a long way towards modernizing and securing your infrastructure. Just as everyone knows and can do the calculation on a commercial real estate’s return on investment, there’s also a return or a savings with Information Technology deployed and maintained correctly.
- Still have an outdated DSL connection to the Internet? Fiber has proliferated in the last couple of years. Look at dedicated bandwidth with a Next Generation Firewall.
- Sharing your Internet with the public? Stop! Or at the very least, make sure your management office network is segmented to protect your critical systems.
- Same with automation. If your HVAC, access card or automation systems are connected to the Internet, change the default credentials and segment away from your office computers.
- Are your servers on the same network as your Wi-Fi? Segment and firewall the network so if your Wi-Fi gets hacked, they don’t have a clear path to the rest of your equipment.
- Still running Windows Server 2000 or 2003? Server 2000 was retired on July 13, 2010 and Server 2003 is ending on July 14, 2015 which means no security patches and a huge vulnerability for you. It’s time to ditch the server and connect to your back office virtually.
- Still have a Windows XP computer or a POS with embedded Windows XP? XP’s end of life was April 8, 2014, leaving your systems vulnerable. It’s time to upgrade your systems or virtualize your desktops.
- Still have an analog telephone system with roll over lines? With dedicated bandwidth and quality of service, you can take advantage of Voice Over IP – sometimes at a substantial savings to what you’re paying for your system now.
- Do you have separate banking computer that you use only for banking? Absolutely no general Internet surfing? Might want to consider dedicating a computer to banking.
- Are you setup with Positive Pay with your bank? This is an important first step.
- Still using an old POP service for email? It’s time to switch to an Exchange-style email system. Setup with your management company or contract online for hosted Exchange or Zimbra email.
Contracting with a property services firm that has a dedicated technology staff makes your life easier and allows you to take advantage of the economies of scale inherent in that relationship, but if you have the time and the wherewithal to work through the vulnerabilities, you can go a long way to securing your systems and leveraging technology for the value it will bring to your property.
Stirling Properties Awarded Contract for Leasing, Sales and Property and Construction Management of Perkins Rowe
Stirling Properties has been awarded a contract to provide comprehensive leasing, sales, property and construction management services for Perkins Rowe in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which includes 364,648 square feet of retail, 126,000 square feet of Class A office space and upscale apartments and condominiums.
Opened in 2007, Perkins Rowe is a strong mix of retail brands and soft goods retail stores, entertainment venues and several restaurants. Stirling Properties will be working in conjunction with the current management company to complete the transition.
Exciting information regarding this project will follow in the near future!
Summer Celebrations for Mom and Dad at the Square
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day remind us to say “Thanks” for everything our parents have done for us over the years. Hammond Square wants to also take part in saying thanks to the moms and dads that take their kids to the Square for new school outfits, frozen treats at Menchie’s, sporting goods at Hibbets and Foot Locker, and whatever else that finds you driving down Palace Drive.
Hammond Square partnered with North Oaks Health Systems, the local hospital, to put on a free Women’s health event the weekend before Mother’s day. The heart and stroke screenings helped make sure Mom was on track for many Mother’s Days to come. We had some great tenant participation, with Dillard’s free bra fittings, their cosmetics extravaganza, and a summer fashion show! We brought in a Pampered Chef representative to show Moms and people shopping for Mom some new gadgets for the kitchen. A financial planning representative from Primerica was set up to answer any financial health questions anyone may have had.
We made sure to have some fun activities for everyone. North Cypress, a local health club close to the mall, hosted two free fitness classes, Zumba and Body Combat. Unfortunately, we found out most people out for a day of shopping are not ready for a professionally-led athletic class! North Cypress is a great partner to work with, we just have to try something different for the next health event. Painting With A Twist was another free activity we had for the day. An art instructor teaches everyone, from kids to adults who have never picked up a paint brush, how to paint a scene in 1 hour. We had moms, kids, and dads as art students for the day in this fun and relaxing activity. All who participated were excited to head home with their very own Louisiana sunset work of art!
We knew we had a little more of a challenge to honor dads for Father’s Day. Most men don’t think of heading to a shopping center to have some fun with the kids, so we had to get creative…and we had to break out the big toys! This Saturday, June 15th, the day before Father’s Day, Hammond Square is working with Louisiana Cat, Volvo Rents, Evergreen Tractor, the local Police and Fire Department to host Dad’s Day at the Square. In the parking lot across from Albasha from 10 am to 2 pm, we will have large construction machines, tractors, ATV’s, a new police car and a fire truck. This is Dad’s chance to get up close to the machines and even see a couple of big toys he might want to add to his collection!
Dad won’t walk away empty handed from the event. We have a craft table where little ones can make their Dad some great gifts from a giant fish, to a fancy guitar, and even an oversized tie. From Hammond Square, 100 Dad’s will receive mugs and 100 kids will get hard hats!
We want to bring out the silly side of Dad as well. Hammond Square brought in fun photo stand in’s. Dad can become a surfer man, a giant hot dog, a captain of a boat and a few other fun adventure scenes you’ll have to come by to see. The best thing is you use your own camera to take dad’s picture so no waiting to get something back. It is Facebook ready instantly if your dad, or you, are into social media.
Our Mother’s Day event was an overall success. We hope to say the same thing about our Dad’s Day at the Square. See you this Saturday! Shop local. Shop Tangi!
Business is Hopping along at the Square!
March was a very successful and busy month for the Tenants and Management of Hammond Square. We have not seen official sales reports yet, but according to casual conversations with the Tenants and completely full parking lots at times, we expect great numbers.
Our big Easter event was Saturday March, 30th and the Square was really busy! At 8 am we had classic cars pulling into the lot near Albasha Greek & Lebanese Cafe and East of Italy for the annual Cars for Kids Fundraiser put on by the Golden Oldies Motor Club. They raised a record-breaking amount for Children’s Hospital during their show. 155 show cars were onsite for the event with trophy winners in multiple categories: Best of Show, Best Paint, Best Interior, Best Engine, and Kid’s Choice. The Golden Oldies also had a stage with live performers and vendors set up in the area.
At 9 am we had bunnies from Magic Happens Rescue Group out of Baton Rouge in the space next to Kay Jewelers. The younger crowd enjoyed petting the rescue bunnies and learning facts like how long the average bunny lives and why their ears are so important.
Also happening at 9 am, we had our regularly-scheduled Tangi Humane Pet Society dogs and kitties arrive at a new spot between Dillard’s and Maurices. This was the most successful adoption event to date! Nine dogs and one cat were adopted. According to the manager of Maurices, they enjoyed having all of the animals close to their store. Patrons would bring their children in strollers to the windows while shopping so the kids could watch the animals from inside the store.
The main Hammond Square event, an Easter egg hunt, started promptly at 9:30 with areas divided for children based on age: 4 and under were in an area near Dillard’s, 5 and older were in front of Charming Charlie and Zales. With over 700 eggs to hide, we finished just in time for the start of the hunt! We plan on enlisting the help of more people to hide the eggs next year. After all the planning and hard work, all of the eggs had been gathered in only 5 minutes! The snack table with low-sugar punch, Ring Pops and Rice Krispy Treats was a big hit with the kids. It took longer to give out the snacks than the actual hunt. Another giveaway by Hammond Square was crayons for the kids and bags they could color…a great place to put eggs for the kids who did not bring baskets.
Most of the Tenants specializing in the sale of children’s items had lines of customers waiting for the 10am store openings. Our Easter Bunny pictures were nonstop for multiple hours after the egg hunt as well as our Shopping Center train ride. So far, the majority of the feedback from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. We’ve received a few messages of thanks on Facebook and over the phone from members of the community. Many are saying they remember the old Mall having events, but that was back when they were children and they appreciate having these types of events close to home again.
What is next on the agenda? Hammond Square has partnered with North Oaks Health System for an event to Celebrate Women’s Health on Saturday, May 4th from 10am to 4 pm. This event has already become bigger than what was originally thought when the concept was first explored. North Oaks is providing heart and stroke screenings as well as child safety seat checks. North Cypress is teaching mini yoga/aerobics classes. Dillard’s has a fashion show and cosmetics event going on that day too. Multiple local health-related vendors will be set up at tables throughout the Center to provide people with information and promote their products. North Oaks and Hammond Square have also put together 100 bags filled with coupons and goodies from the Tenants and vendors that will be handed out exclusively to people participating in the events.
Looking ahead to June, we will have a big event to celebrate Father’s day. Most people don’t think about a shopping center catering to that holiday for an event, but we look forward to surprising the community with an event that Dads and kids will thoroughly enjoy.
Remember to Shop Tangi to have your sales taxes benefit the community where you live! 
Stirling Properties Awarded Property & Construction Management & Office Leasing Contract for Louisiana Boardwalk
Stirling Properties has been awarded a contract to provide comprehensive property and construction management and office leasing services for Louisiana Boardwalk, a 562,250 square foot retail/mixed-use development on the waterfront of Bossier City, Louisiana. Garrison Investment Group of New York recently acquired Louisiana Boardwalk and will relaunch the retail center as The Outlets at Louisiana Boardwalk.
The Louisiana Boardwalk was developed along the Red River, directly across from Shreveport. The twin cities of Shreveport and Bossier City, the state’s third largest market, hosts a bustling convention center, numerous casinos and hotels, which draw over 11 million visitors each year.
Opened in 2005, the project is anchored by the only Bass Pro Shop within a 3 ½-hour drive. A strong mix of outlet retail brands and soft goods retail stores, additional entertainment venues and several restaurants complement the anchors.
The development features approximately 69,000 square feet of 2nd story office space, and a high performing Marriott Courtyard Hotel. The Margaritaville Hotel and Casino will open this summer, adding 400 hotel rooms and a significant additional draw to the project.
For information about office leasing opportunities available, contact Stacy Odom at sodom@stirlingprop.com or Karen Hannigan at khannigan@stirlingprop.com or call 318-797-4393.
For more information about Stirling Properties’ management services, please contact Donna Taylor at 985-246-3758 or via email at dtaylor@stirlingprop.com.
About Garrison Investment Group
Garrison Investment Group is an asset based investor with more than 60 years of experience in shopping center acquisitions, development, leasing and asset management. Headquartered in New York City, Garrison owns a total of 38 shopping centers comprising 8.2 million square feet of leasable space in regional malls, lifestyle centers and neighborhood community shopping centers across 12 states. For more information, please visit www.garrisonretail.com.
