Stirling Properties Hires Veteran Real Estate Broker Austin Earhart as Senior Advisor
Stirling Properties announces that veteran real estate broker Austin Earhart has joined its commercial team as Senior Advisor. He will work from the company’s Baton Rouge office located at 6160 Perkins Road, Suite 200.
With over 20 years of experience in commercial real estate, Earhart has become one of the region’s foremost retail experts specializing in tenant and landlord representation, lease negotiation, site selection, and dispositions for local and national retailers. He has been a multi-million-dollar producer in Louisiana, and regularly closes deals in all aspects of commercial properties including industrial, office, land, and investment sales.
Earhart’s landlord representation includes institutional and local owners with retail portfolios ranging from 5,000 square feet up to major power centers. He has worked with many of the nation’s leading retailers including Walmart, Lowe’s, Whitney National Bank, AmSouth Bank, MidSouth Bank, FedEx Kinko’s, Starbucks, Xerox, Best Buy, Eatel, Rally’s/Checkers, Walgreens, Papa John’s, Nextel, and Hobby Lobby.
Before joining Stirling Properties, Earhart was an agent with Beau Box Commercial Real Estate company, where he served the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, community for 12 years.
Earhart attended the University of Mississippi and is a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) candidate. He is affiliated with ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) and the National Association of Realtors (NAR). He is also an active member of the Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors (GBRAR), where he serves on the Trends Retail Board Committee and is a past board member of the Commercial Investment Division (CID). He is a regularly published writer as a retail expert in national trade magazines.
“I’m excited to join Stirling Properties. Their excellent reputation, national reach, and comprehensive industry knowledge are attractive—and evident in the more than $1.64 billion worth of third-party transactions they have closed in the last five years alone,” said Earhart. “I look forward to better serving the real estate needs of my clients—not only in brokerage but by utilizing the full gamut of commercial services available through Stirling Properties.”
“Stirling Properties is thrilled to welcome Austin Earhart to our team of commercial advisors. His extensive experience and market insight will help us continue to grow our services in the Greater Baton Rouge region and across the Gulf South, and further position us as a leader in the market,” said Chris Abadie, Vice President and Manager of Commercial Brokerage with Stirling Properties.
Austin Earhart can be reached at aearhart@stirlingprop.com or (225) 926-4481.
Fresh Food Eatery, Coffee Shop and Clothing Boutique to Open in LSU’s Nicholson Gateway
LSU and Stirling Properties announced today that Frutta Bowls, Starbucks and Private Stock apparel boutique will be retail tenants in the university’s new Nicholson Gateway Development Project, currently under construction on a 28-acre site of the Nicholson Drive Corridor, between West Chimes Street and Skip Bertman Drive.
The three tenants join anchor retailer Matherne’s Market and fast food restaurant Wendy’s in the roughly 50,000-square-foot retail component of Nicholson Gateway, which will serve residents of the project, the LSU community and visitors, as well as the surrounding Baton Rouge area.
“We are thrilled to have Frutta Bowls, Starbucks and Private Stock join Matherne’s Market and Wendy’s in our campus community. I’m confident these new neighbors will enhance the Nicholson Gateway living experience for the more than 1,500 students who will call this new space home in just a few weeks,” said LSU Assistant Vice President of Residential Life Steve Waller.
Matherne’s Market currently under construction
Opening its first Louisiana location, Frutta Bowls is a quick-service eatery offering acai, pitaya, oatmeal and kale bowls topped with fresh ingredients like fruit and granola. Their menu also includes smoothies, protein bites, kombucha and grab-and-go items.
Private Stock offers a selection of upscale sneakers and trendy apparel in a fashion-forward, hip atmosphere. Owner Donnie Alfred is a graduate of LSU and former LSU Track and Field sprinter, and is excited to move his Baton Rouge, La., store location closer to students.
Starbucks will operate a licensed location at LSU with indoor and outdoor seating to be a neighborhood gathering place for Nicholson Gateway residents, all LSU students, faculty, staff and visitors.
Nicholson Gateway Rendering
The LSU Property Foundation, an affiliate of the LSU Foundation, is facilitating Nicholson Gateway. Stirling Properties is serving as the retail developer and leasing broker on the project, working with the prime developer, Georgia-based RISE Real Estate, which specializes in student housing. Stirling Properties will also handle ongoing retail property management.
Opening this month, Nicholson Gateway will include 763 units of apartment-style housing for over 1,500 students, with associated residential support spaces, such as lounge spaces, study areas, community gathering places and retail food service. The project, focused on the largest underdeveloped tract of university-owned property that is adjacent to the campus core, will turn what has traditionally been the back of the campus into an exciting new gateway district while responding to demands for on-campus housing and supporting student success, improving the campus living experience for both undergraduate and graduate students.
For retail leasing information, please contact Dottie Tarleton, CCIM at dtarleton@stirlingprop.com / 225-922-4253 or Rhonda Sharkawy at rsharkawy@stirlingprop.com / 504-620-8145.
For student leasing information, visit lsu.edu/nicholson. Information about the overall project is available at nicholsongateway.com.
Developers Break Ground on Nicholson Gateway in Baton Rouge
Stirling Properties was pleased to participate in the groundbreaking of Nicholson Gateway last week, a 28-acre mixed-use housing and retail development located on the northwest corner of Nicholson Drive and Skip Bertman Drive across from Tiger Stadium. The development will include a 1,700-bed student housing and athletic dormitory with study areas and green spaces, as well as roughly 50,000 square feet of university focused retail space.
Stirling Properties was selected as the retail developer and leasing broker on the project, working with the prime developer, Georgia-based RISE that specializes in student housing. Stirling Properties will also handle on-going retail property management.
“Stirling Properties is proud to be involved on the development team of Nicholson Gateway. This mixed-use project will not only enhance the LSU campus, but will provide an activity hub for students and visitors,” said Townsend Underhill, Stirling Properties Senior Vice President of Development. ”In addition, this growth is creating much needed on-campus student housing, new job opportunities and economic development for the area.”
Nicholson Gateway is expected to be open to students for the fall semester of 2018. The development will transform one of the largest remaining underdeveloped tracts of university property, turning an overlooked area into an exciting new corridor.
For leasing information, please contact Rhonda Sharkawy at rsharkawy@stirlingprop.com or (504) 620-8145; or Dottie Tarleton at dtarleton@stirlingprop.com or (225) 922-4253.
Golf Fore! Good
Stirling Properties hits a hole-in-one
with its Annual Stirling Invitational Golf Tournament
The 16th Annual Stirling Invitational Golf Tournament was held earlier this month at University Club Plantation in Baton Rouge. More than 120 golfers participated in the scramble event and were treated to a great day of food, fun and fellowship—along with a little friendly competition—all for a good cause.
The tournament was a huge success, raising $30,000 for local nonprofit organizations! In support of Breast Cancer Awareness month, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Foundation received $10,000 from the proceeds. The remaining proceeds were distributed to various local charitable causes.
Representatives from Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Foundation and LSU Tiger Athletic Foundation were on hand to receive a check for their contributions. Grady Brame, Executive Vice President of Stirling Properties (and resident golf expert!), presented a check to Todd Stevens, President and CEO of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center; and to Rick Perry, President and CEO of Tiger Athletic Foundation, during an awards celebration and cocktail reception following the tournament.
Todd Stevens, Jimmy Maurin, Grady Brame
What happens on the golf course does not stay on the golf course—here’s a recap of the days’ activities. The 1st Place Low Net was won by Steven Serio, Tyler Marquette, Lance McCardle and Colin O’Flynn. The Low Gross winning team included Paul Geyer, Rick Perry, Grady Brame and Jimmy Maurin. Additional awards were presented for 2nd, 3rd and 4th Low Gross and Low Net as well as 4 Closest to the Hole prizes, Longest Drive, and Highest Gross Score (we won’t name any names!).
A heartfelt thanks to all of our friends and supporters that participated and contributed to the Stirling Invitational Golf Tournament. This event would not be possible without you.
“The 16th Annual Stirling Invitational Golf Tournament was a tremendous success, and we were once again able to donate to worthy nonprofit organizations that are truly making a difference in our communities. We are grateful for the generosity of our tournament sponsors and thank everyone that came out to support us. We hope to see you again next year!” said Brame.
The Stirling Invitational Golf Tournament has contributed more than $184,000 to numerous organizations over the past 16 years, with Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Foundation being the majority beneficiary of proceeds. Since 2004, $117,000 has been donated to the center in support of its cancer research and care-giving efforts.
#StirlingProud
Additional sponsors include Economical Janitorial Supplies, Grass Unlimited, Calcasieu Mechanical Contractors, Robert Refrigeration, Ryan Gootee General Contractors, Thermal Products, Angelos Landscaping, Big Easy Parking Lot Maintenance, Chrestia Staub, Cost Segregation Services, Inc. (CSSI), Gulf South Electric, ITS Fire Alarm Security LLC, Massengale Grounds Management, Netchex Payroll Services, Precision Concrete Cutting of Louisiana, Republic Services, Inc., Star Service Inc., Trimark, Unit Design, Jones Fussell, BH Management Services, CBL & Associates Properties Inc., CSRS, Inc., Malone Roofing, Premier Service Team, Real Estate Tax Group, LLC, River Parish Disposal, LLC, Robert Levis Development, Southeastern Waterproofing, First Bank & Trust, Moran Construction Consultants.
A huge shout out to Fidelity Bank, Brad Jongbloed and his team, for sponsoring lunch.
Stirling Properties Names Justin Landry Vice President Of Finance
Stirling Properties commercial real estate company is pleased to announce that Justin Landry has been promoted to Vice President of Finance. Landry is a leader in the company’s Baton Rouge office located at 8550 United Plaza Boulevard, Suite 300.
Landry joined Stirling Properties in 2007 and is responsible for evaluating the economic feasibility of new development opportunities for the company. He serves as the lead on all development proforma and financial modeling. In addition, he is lead on debt placement for new developments and refinancing in preparing and soliciting permanent loan packages, and negotiating those loans with lenders. Landry is also asset manager in charge of the company’s entire multi-family portfolio throughout Louisiana.
“Justin is an integral part of our Stirling Properties team, and this promotion is well-deserved,” said Townsend Underhill, Senior Vice President of Development for Stirling Properties. “He has assisted in the placement of more than $1 billion of interim and permanent financing, and has significantly aided with the recent development of Ambassador Town Center. He’s played a key role in major acquisitions such as Turtle Creek Crossing, Retreat at Acadian Point, and Ansley Place, just to name a few. He is certainly worthy of this recognition, and we are proud of his success.”
Landry holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Louisiana State University. He is an active member of ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers). He currently sits on the ICSC Scholarship Committee, and is former Committee Chair for ICSC’s Next Generation – Louisiana Chapter. In addition, he serves as an instructor at Louisiana State University teaching Finance 7720 (Commercial Real Estate Investing). Justin Landry can be reached at (225) 922-4340 or
Justin Landry can be reached at (225) 922-4340 or jclandry@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.
