New Orleans’ Office Market Taking Shape
Gaines Seaman, Sales and Leasing Executive for Stirling Properties, recently contributed an article for Southeast Real Estate Business magazine’s Market Highlight section. The insightful article, entitled “Following Massive Conversions, New Orleans’ Office Market Is Taking Shape,” profiles the bustling office market activity in downtown New Orleans. Check out the excerpt below and click here to read the full article.
“In the past 12 to 18 months, more than 1 million square feet of what used to be considered office space in downtown New Orleans has been converted to retail, hotel, residential or multifamily use. Projects such as 225 Baronne Street, the 1100 block of Tulane Avenue, 600 Carondelet Street, Factor’s Row redevelopment and approximately 130,000 square feet of space at 1250 Poydras Street (a 423,000-square-foot, Class A tower) are just a number of examples. More of this space was unoccupied than occupied at the time of the conversions. The most recent of these conversions, 600 Carondolet Street, resulted in the largest absorption of Class A office space in the market. Additionally, URS, now AECOM, leased approximately 70,000 square feet of space in 1515 Poydras, a 530,000-square-foot building located across from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. In the central business district (CBD), Class A office occupancy is a healthy 90 percent and average rental rates have increased in the past 12 to 24 months to approximately $19 per square foot. Recently, notable longterm commitments to New Orleans include Shell Oil Co. and FM Services (Freeport McMoRan), both through 2026. Shell Oil anchors One Shell Square, the largest office tower in New Orleans, and committed to occupy half of the 1.3 million-square foot building in 2015. FM Services occupies 210,000 square feet of the 510,000-square-foot Freeport McMoRan Building, also on Poydras Street. Ochsner Health System recently finalized a deal to lease the entire Lord & Taylor Building, measuring 115,000 square feet. The building will be retrofitted, against the current trend in the CBD, from former retail space to office space for Ochsner’s occupancy. The term is estimated to commence in late 2016.”
New Orleans Named Among 2016 Markets to Watch
At the recent Urban Land Institute (ULI) Fall Meeting held in San Francisco, the keynote speaker Andy Warren of PwC presented the Emerging Trends in Real Estate® 2016. This year’s release marks the 37th edition of the Emerging Trends in Real Estate®, which is undertaken jointly by PwC and ULI based on insights from hundreds of industry leaders.
Mr. Warren included the below slide in his presentation on the Real Estate Markets to Watch in 2016. The New Orleans region was included on that list. I have attended these meetings for many years and this is the first time that New Orleans was included in such a list. This is yet another validation of the confidence that investors are showing in our region.
Tsunami Sushi Coming to Pan American Life Center in New Orleans
First Tenant Announced for First Floor Conversion
to Retail & Restaurant Space
Stirling Properties is excited to announce the addition of Tsunami Sushi to Pan American Life Center, located at 601 Poydras Street in New Orleans’ Central Business District. Pan American Life Center, a premier Class-A office building located at the prominent corner of Poydras Street and St. Charles Avenue, is set to undergo a first floor conversion to retail and restaurant space with more exterior exposure. Tsunami Sushi is the first announced tenant for the conversion with additional deals under negotiation.
The approximately 6,700-square-foot restaurant will be Tsunami Sushi’s fourth location and will open in late 2016. “We think it’s the perfect location for easy access for the neighboring businesses and residents as well as tourists” says Tsunami owner Michele Ezell. Tsunami Sushi is locally and regionally renowned with the success of their Lafayette location and in Downtown Baton Rouge on the top floor of the signature Shaw Center. “Tsunami will serve as the anchor for our conversion of the first floor to retail and restaurants. We are excited about the concept and the energy it will bring to our Pan Am building,” says Grady K. Brame, Executive Vice President at Stirling Properties.
Exciting information regarding the first floor conversion will be announced soon.
Rhonda Sharkawy and Dan Tate, both Sales and Leasing Executives with Stirling Properties, completed the transaction. Ms. Sharkawy represented the landlord and Mr. Tate represented Tsunami Sushi. For more information regarding Pan American Life Center, contact Gaines Seaman at gseaman@stirlingprop.com or call (985) 620-8187.
Stirling Properties Welcomes Thomas Bryan to the New Orleans Team
Stirling Properties is pleased to announce the addition of Thomas Bryan to the Commercial Brokerage Division as Sales and Leasing Executive. Thomas will work from the company’s New Orleans, LA office located at 615 Baronne Street, Suite 100.
Mr. Bryan began his Commercial Real Estate career in 2007 and has since accrued a wealth of knowledge through leasing, sales and property management experience. He is currently responsible for the marketing and leasing of approximately 350,000 square feet of retail space. In addition to his retail landlord representation, Mr. Bryan has worked extensively with national, regional and local retail clients in a tenant representation capacity, including Lee Nail Spa, Alton Lane, Devon & Blakely, School of Rock, and MetroPCS to name a few.
Mr. Bryan is a native of Richmond, VA where he most recently worked as a Sales & Leasing Associate for CBRE. He is a graduate of the College of Charleston with a degree in Business Administration.
Mr. Bryan can be reached at 504-523-4481 or via email at tbryan@stirlingprop.com.
Stirling Properties Awarded Contract for Management and Leasing of Manhattan Place Shopping Center in Harvey, Louisiana
Stirling Properties has been awarded a contract to provide management and leasing services for Manhattan Place Shopping Center located in Harvey, Louisiana. The 137,315 square foot shopping center includes Target, Ross Dress For Less, Rue21, Lane Bryant, AT&T and more.
For leasing opportunities contact Rhonda Sharkawy at 504-620-8145 or rsharkawy@stirlingprop.com. For more information on Stirling Properties’ management services visit our website at stirlingprop.com/services/PropertyAssetManagement.
Stirling Properties’ Commercial Agents among Top Producers at Annual NOMAR CID Awards Ceremony
Stirling Properties’ commercial agents were honored during the New Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors Commercial Investment Division’s 22nd annual awards banquet held Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at GW Fins.
Leading the way was Rhonda Sharkawy, who received the F. Poche Waguespack Award for having the highest volume of sales and leases in the marketplace for the year. This is her fifth consecutive year to receive this honor and one of only a handful of women to achieve it since it was created back in 1964. Ms. Sharkawy was also awarded with Overall Top Retail Producer, Top Landlord Retail Lease and Most Transactions. Gaines Seaman received the Overall Top Office Producer Award and the Top Landlord Office Lease. Joe Gardner, Ms. Sharkawy and Mr. Seaman were also among Achievement Award recipients. Stirling Properties received 1st Place and 3rd Place for the Largest Transaction Award.
