Stirling Properties’ Commercial Agents Among Top Industry Producers In the Greater New Orleans Area
Stirling Properties commercial real estate agents were recently honored for outstanding industry achievements and transactions during the New Orleans Metropolitan Association of REALTORS® (NOMAR) Commercial Investment Division’s (CID) Annual Achievement Awards virtual ceremony.
Rhonda Sharkawy
Rhonda Sharkawy, Senior Retail Leasing & Development Advisor, was awarded top Retail Broker of the Year for the greater New Orleans area with a sales and leasing volume of more than $45 million in 2019.
Saban Sellers
Saban Sellers, Investment Advisor-Multifamily, was named top Multi Family Broker of the Year with a sales and leasing volume of more than $16 million in 2019. He was also awarded Land Broker of the Year with a total credit volume of $4.3 million. Sellers also received honors for top Land Lease of the Year and Multi Family Sale of the Year.
Carly Plotkin, Advisor, received the award for Retail Lease of the Year. Ryan Murphy, Senior Advisor, and Bradley Cook, Advisor, were the recipients of the Office Sale of the Year award.
Melissa Warren, CCIM, Senior Advisor, Lee de la Houssaye, Senior Advisor, and Bradley Cook, Advisor, were among Silver Production Award recipients for obtaining total commercial credit sales and leasing from $2.5 – $4.9 million.
Carly Plotkin and Ryan Murphy received the Gold Production Award for commercial credit sales and leasing from $5 – $9.9 million.
Rhonda Sharkawy and Saban Sellers were awarded Diamond Production Awards for total commercial sales and leasing volume of over $15 million.
With 53 agents and nine offices spanning the Gulf South region, Stirling Properties’ brokerage team specializes in all aspects of commercial real estate, including retail, office, industrial, healthcare and multifamily sectors. In 2019, our commercial brokers completed 787 transactions totaling 6.9 million square feet, with a total commercial volume of over $555 million.
Stirling Properties Names Brad Stillwagon As New General Manager of Pan-American Life Center in New Orleans
Stirling Properties announces Brad Stillwagon as the new General Manager of the Pan-American Life Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. He will be stepping into the role upon the retirement of the building’s long-term General Manager, Nancy Rome.
Stillwagon has been with Stirling Properties since early 2019, serving as both an Asset and Property Manager of more than 2,000,000 square feet of retail, medical and office properties across the Gulf South. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Business Administration from Washington and Lee University and is actively involved in the W&L New Orleans Alumni Chapter. Stillwagon holds the designation of Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) and is active in the Louisiana CCIM Chapter. He is a Young Leader with CoreNet Global, a network of corporate real estate executives focused on the strategic real estate needs of Fortune 500 Companies, and is pursuing a Master of Corporate Real Estate with a specialization in Workplace Strategy (MCR.w).
Prior to joining Stirling Properties, Stillwagon served as Vice President – Real Estate Team Lead with Hancock Whitney Bank, where he worked in Asset and Transaction Management. He currently resides Uptown with his wife and three sons.
In addition to his General Manager duties, Stillwagon will continue to serve as the Asset Manager for many of Stirling Properties’ Southshore properties, including Mid-City Market, Offices at Mid-City Market, Magnolia Marketplace, Old Metairie Village and Oakridge Place.
“Stirling Properties is pleased to announce Brad Stillwagon as the new General Manager of the Pan-American Life Center. We have a great group of talented professionals and building engineers working closely with Brad to ensure a smooth transition. We are confident our team will continue to provide first-class service and support for the office tower and building tenants,” said Grady Brame, Executive Vice President with Stirling Properties. “We’re also excited about the remarkable renovations to the Pan-American Life Center that we believe uniquely positions it as one of a kind in the New Orleans CBD and enhances its long-term success.”
The Pan-American Life Center is recognized as one of New Orleans’ most prestigious office towers, boasting high-quality tenants in addition to housing the national and regional headquarters of many premier corporations. Built in 1980, the granite-clad, Class A trophy tower encompasses roughly 673,000 square feet of office and retail space, as well as an eight-story parking structure. Office tenants include Pan American Life Insurance Group, IBERIABANK, Morris Bart Law Offices, McGlinchey Stafford, Merrill Lynch and Stirling Properties. First-floor retail tenants include Smoothie King, Starbucks, Tsunami and IBERIABANK. Stirling Properties’ affiliates own the property and are the exclusive management and leasing agents for the Pan American Life Center.
Stirling Properties recently completed a $7 million redevelopment of the property, including a renovated café, state-of-the-art conference center and upgraded ground floor lobby to better position the building in the evolving office landscape.
Real estate scholarship fund established for Tulane University graduate students in New Orleans, Louisiana
Stirling Properties announces the Maurin Ogden Tulane Real Estate Fund, a new academic scholarship opportunity for Tulane University graduate students pursuing a real estate or related degree.
In partnership with Tulane University and ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) Foundation, the Maurin Ogden Tulane Real Estate Fund focuses on academic and professional development for graduate students enrolled in the A.B. Freeman School of Business and School of Architecture. Underwritten by Jimmy Maurin and Roger Ogden, founders of Stirling Properties, the new fund will distribute $10,000 a year for academic awards over the next ten years.
As part of the fund, one (1) $5,000 scholarship will be awarded each year for qualified tuition and related expenses. The scholarship recipient will also receive ICSC Student Membership and participation in the ICSC Mentorship Program specifically designed for emerging real estate professionals who are seeking to develop their careers and build relationships in the commercial real estate industry.
In addition, five (5) Conference Awards will be given annually for students, providing all-expense-paid attendance to ICSC RECon in Las Vegas, the world’s largest retail real estate convention, offering the students valuable exposure to industry leaders and potential employers.
Working with the ICSC Foundation, Stirling Properties has been actively involved in leading efforts to help create and maintain a pipeline of diverse and robust talent for the future of the commercial real estate industry. The company established a similar scholarship program at LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where it has been instrumental in introducing students to academic and career placement opportunities over the past several years.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity for us to invest in the future of our industry, while also supporting our local communities,” said Maurin. “We are thankful for ICSC’s partnership in helping us to expand this program to Tulane University students and build awareness for real estate among young people entering the job market. Our goal is to attract and develop the best and brightest talent pool for the commercial real estate industry—the next generation of leaders in our businesses.”
“Thank you to Stirling Properties’ founders, Jimmy Maurin and Roger Ogden, for their generosity and continued commitment to educational and professional development. The Maurin Ogden Tulane Real Estate Fund will create meaningful opportunities for students to connect with industry professionals, access valuable educational resources, and participate in experiential learning. As a recent graduate of the Tulane MBA program, I know how impactful this scholarship and partnership will be, and I am proud to now help with these efforts,” said John Woodard, Development Manager with Stirling Properties.
The Maurin Ogden Tulane Real Estate Fund is expected to be awarded this fall and will be established and administered by Tulane University according to its policies and procedures for non-endowed funds.
Major Renovations Coming to Pan American Life Center in New Orleans’s CBD
Pan American Life Center Lobby Rendering
New cafe and food options, state-of-the-art conference center and upgraded lobby.
Stirling Properties announces major renovations to the Pan American Life Center, a 673,000-square-foot premier office building located at the corner of Poydras Street and St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans, Louisiana. Construction is currently underway for a $7 million redevelopment project that will include a renovated café, state-of-the-art conference center and upgraded ground floor lobby to better position the building in the evolving office landscape. The café and conference center will continue to be managed by Sodexo.
The café-style restaurant will be located on the 11th floor, offering professional food service and enhanced menu options for building tenants, users of the conference center and surrounding customers. The renovation work on the 11th floor will feature a modernized dining area, upgraded furniture, new flooring, LED lighting and an exciting new menu. Construction began in early January and is expected to be complete in the summer of 2020.
Pan American Life Center Cafe Rendering
During the renovation, the existing café is closed; however, a new Café Micro Market has been opened in the lobby on the first floor adjacent to Smoothie King. The Micro Market is open daily, offering hot menu items such as breakfast, soups, salads, grab-and-go sandwiches and gourmet entrees.
A modern state-of-the-art conference center will be constructed on the 11th floor featuring high-tech audio/visual equipment, a tiered-seating auditorium and a variety of attractive catering packages. Following national trends of space utilization and the desire for open, collaborative work environments and flexible seating arrangements, the new conference center will offer multi-purpose meeting space available in various sizes and configurations. Conference room reservations are expected to begin in the second quarter, with the re-opening of the conference center early in the third quarter.
Renovations to the main lobby and building entrance began late last year and are nearing completion. Upgrades include a modernized, inviting lobby with brighter wall finishes, new furniture, LED lighting, renovated restrooms and installation of an electronic directory. Renovation work is expected to be complete just in time for Mardi Gras festivities.
“The renovations underway at the Pan American Life Center will uniquely position the office tower as one of a kind in the New Orleans CBD, offering new and improved amenities for existing and future tenants. These building enhancements will make our workplace more enjoyable, and also attractive in recruiting and retaining employees,” said Jose S. Suquet, Chairman of the Board, President & CEO of Pan-American Life Insurance Group.
“IBERIABANK is looking forward to the upgrades coming to the Pan American Life Center. As a major occupant of the building, we know that these improved amenities, along with the enhanced co-working and common areas, will be a huge benefit to the tenants, our existing and future workforce, and our customers,” said Hunter Hill, New Orleans Market President for IBERIABANK.
“Stirling Properties recognizes the changing office environment. Users want more collaborative, open floor plans, ample amenities and innovative trophy projects. These trends in the commercial industry increase the need for more curated properties,” said Grady Brame, Executive Vice President with Stirling Properties. “This renovation will better position the Pan American Life Center for long-term sustainability. It’s an investment in the future workplace that will make our building more attractive and functional for current tenants and new prospects.”
Pan American Life Center is recognized as one of New Orleans’ most prestigious office towers, boasting high-quality tenants in addition to housing the national and regional headquarters of many premier corporations. Built in 1980, the granite-clad, Class A trophy tower encompasses roughly 673,000 square feet of office and retail space, as well as an eight-story parking structure. Office tenants include Pan American Life Insurance Group, IBERIABANK, Morris Bart Law Offices, McGlinchey Stafford, Merrill Lynch and Stirling Properties. First-floor retail tenants include Smoothie King, Starbucks, Tsunami and IBERIABANK. Stirling Properties’ affiliates own the property and are the exclusive management and leasing agents for the Pan American Life Center.
For more information on the Pan American Life Center, visit www.panam-neworleans.com. For leasing information, contact Gaines Seaman at gseaman@stirlingprop.com or (504) 523-4481.
Chuckles Comedy House Coming to Oakwood Center in Gretna, Louisiana
Marks third national location for new entertainment concept.
Stirling Properties announced that Chuckles Comedy House is coming to Oakwood Center (formerly Oakwood Mall) in Gretna, Louisiana, a part of the New Orleans metropolitan area. This marks the third national location for the new-to-market entertainment concept.
Chuckles Comedy House will occupy 9,855 square feet of retail space located at 197 Westbank Expressway, adjacent to New Orleans Hamburger & Seafood Co. The company is currently finalizing construction plans and is expected to open in the fall of 2020. Chuckles Comedy House features regional and national comedians, as well as a full bar and pub-style fare. Comedians like Paul Mooney, DL Hughley, Monique, Eddie Griffin, Chris Tucker, Bruce Bruce, and more have graced its stage. Chuckles Comedy House currently operates two additional locations in Memphis, Tennessee, and Jackson, Mississippi.
“Chuckles Comedy House was created to fill a void in the entertainment industry. At Chuckles, we know comedy, we know excitement, we know a good time,” said Darvis Harvey, COO of Chuckles Comedy House, New Orleans. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring our exclusive concept to the Gretna community and surrounding New Orleans area, and give the people something we all love, laughter—all year round!”
“We are excited to be able to open our third Chuckles Comedy House in Gretna, and to establish a potential flagship location for our brand here in the greater New Orleans area,” said Michael Ware, Sr., CEO & Founder of Chuckles Comedy House. “We have always had a deep, personal love for the New Orleans region—visiting many times over the years—and we look forward to finally being a part of this vibrant, fun-loving community.”
Stirling Properties’ Senior Advisor Joe Gardner, CCIM represented Chuckles Comedy House in securing the lease and serves as the company’s tenant representative broker. Joe Brown, with Brookfield Properties, represented the property owner in the transaction.
“Stirling Properties is excited to welcome Chuckles Comedy House—the first of its kind in our area—to Oakwood Center and the Gretna community. Today’s consumers want entertainment and unique experiences, and we are confident this innovative concept will be a welcomed and successful addition to the greater New Orleans region, and will greatly complement the surrounding retail and restaurant establishments,” said Gardner.
Oakwood Center is a 907,145-square-foot shopping center located at the foot of the Crescent City Connection, which links the West Bank to downtown New Orleans and the historic French Quarter. The center offers a dynamic shopping experience, with a retail lineup including department stores such as Dillard’s and JCPenney alongside ALDO, Bath & Body Works, H&M, ULTA BEAUTY and more than 80 other retail and restaurant options, as well as a 380-seat foot court and children’s soft play area.
Stirling Properties Adds Two Advisors to Commercial Real Estate Team
Rankin Bihm recently joined the Stirling Properties team as an Advisor, working dually from the company’s Lafayette and Lake Charles offices. He is primarily focused on the sales and leasing of retail properties, with representation of both tenants and landlords. His specific geographical expertise is on the Southwest Louisiana market area.
Prior to joining Stirling Properties, Bihm served as a Multimedia Consultant, where he advised business clients on digital marketing and promotional strategies. He has a strong understanding of market research and analyzing competitor data, which translates to the real estate market, where he helps his clients to effectively locate and market properties. He also has extensive experience in the hospitality and service industry, where he honed superior customer service and relationship-building skills.
Bihm is a graduate of the University of Louisiana-Lafayette with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and was a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. He is currently enrolled in the University of Louisiana-Lafayette MBA program.
Rankin is a volunteer with St. Joseph Parish Vacation Bible School and Keep Lafayette Clean. He is an avid reader and enjoys listening to podcasts—and all things sports.
Blaise Brown also joins the Stirling Properties’ commercial real estate team as an Advisor, working from the company’s New Orleans office. With a geographic focus on New Orleans East and St. Bernard Parish, he specializes in the sales and leasing of retail and industrial properties and raw land.
Brown is a member of the New Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors (NOMAR), the Commercial Investment Division of NOMAR (CID), International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), and Retail Brokers Network (RBN).
Born and raised in NOLA, Blaise is a graduate of St. Augustine High School and currently resides in New Orleans East. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Justice and Peace Studies from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where he played football and was named the Team Captain his Senior year.
While in Washington, Blaise served as a Sursum Corda educational tutor, helping to implicate new techniques of reading for children in the poverty-stricken neighborhoods. He helped to create opportunities and practices of learning between tutors and tutees while acting as a mediator between Georgetown students and Sursum Corda children.
