Forbes: New Orleans #1 for “Brainpower” in the USA
Another ranking was recently announced that reinforces the growing trend of New Orleans being one of the leading places for young people to locate. It is one of the most exciting transformations I have ever seen and one of the most encouraging signs for our future.
Forbes has ranked Greater New Orleans tied for first in America for growth in college grads from 2007 – 2012, earning the title #1 “Brainpower City” in the USA. The New Orleans metro gained 44,000 grads from 2007 to 2012, a 20.3% increase, nearly double the national average of 10.9%. The author of the article, Joel Kotkin, explains that Greater New Orleans is the leader of a broader national trend: “Unable to afford to settle long-term in traditional “brain centers,” educated people are increasingly looking for places that have strong economies but also many of the cultural and natural amenities associated with the traditional meccas for the educated.”
The Top 10 “Brainpower Cities” in the USA are:
1. New Orleans metro
1. San Antonio (tie)
3. Austin
4. Nashville
5. Louisville
6. Houston
7. Denver
8. Salt Lake City
9. Jacksonville
10. Raleigh
You can read the entire article here.
Stirling Properties Celebrates Team Members at Annual Stirling Honors Event
On Thursday, March 27, Stirling Properties hosted the company’s annual Stirling Honors meeting and recognition luncheon at Rosy’s Jazz Hall in New Orleans. Stirling Honors is a day to honor the hard work and dedication of the entire Stirling Team and to award Commercial Production Awards and Service Awards. Keynote Speaker Scott Aiges, Director of Programs, Marketing & Communications of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, spoke about the Foundation’s mission and all of the programs offered in the areas of education, economic development and cultural enrichment. The day’s events also included performances by students and faculty from The Don Jamison Heritage School of Music, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation’s principal music education program. Stirling Properties was pleased to present Mr. Aiges with a donation to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation to help in their efforts to support New Orleans’ education, economy and culture. Commercial Award recipients received recognition for Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond and Ruby production levels based on individual Adjusted Gross Commission numbers for 2013. Included in the awards were special recognitions given to Rhonda Sharkawy, Senior Retail Leasing and Development Executive in the New Orleans office, for the Most Transactions and Top Agent. Also recognized was Seth Citron, Sales and Leasing Executive in the Lafayette office, for having the highest production level improvement over the previous year.
- Ruby Award 2013: Rhonda Sharkawy – New Orleans Office
- Diamond Award 2013: Gaines Seaman – Metairie Office Ryan Pecot – Lafayette Office Charles Cornay – Lafayette Office
- Platinum Award 2013: Seth Citron – Lafayette Office
- Gold Award 2013: Beezie Landry – Covington Office Scott Macdonald – Baton Rouge Office Will Barrois – Mobile, Alabama Office Keitha Marcotte – Shreveport Office
- Silver Award 2013: Roger Bajon – Covington Office Joe Gardner – New Orleans Office Dottie Tarleton – Baton Rouge Office Mike Immel – Lafayette Office Rick Skelding – New Orleans Office Lee de la Houssaye – Covington Office
- Bronze Award 2013: John Arthurs – New Orleans Office Ryan Murphy – Covington Office
Also recognized were employees who achieved special anniversaries with the company. Service Awards were given to 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 year milestones.
- 25 Years Lewis Stirling – New Orleans Office
- 20 Years Paul Mastio – Covington Office
- 15 Years Joe Goudeau III – Baton Rouge Office Barbara Meaux – Lafayette Office
- 10 Years Cyndie Quave – Covington Office Gerry Catanese – Covington Office Peggy Sayler – Covington Office Gena Randall – Covington Office
- 5 Years Joe Gardner – New Orleans Office Doug Ferguson – Covington Office Cheri Pareti – New Orleans Office Tricia Autin – Westpark Storage Office Tammy Cox – Westpark Storage Office Marie Crawford – Covington Office
Stirling Properties Completes Acquisition of Ansley Place Apartments in Houma, LA
Stirling Communities II, LLC, an entity of investors led by Stirling Properties, successfully completed their acquisition of Ansley Place Apartments. Ansley Place is a 246-unit “Class-A”, luxury garden-style apartment community located at 100 Ansley Place Court in Houma, Louisiana. Completed in 2008, the Property encompasses thirteen (13) two- and three-story apartment buildings, one (1) single-story leasing office, and four (4) single-story garage buildings on 21 acres of land. The deal closed on April 1, and involved the assumption of an existing HUD 223(f) loan on the property.
“We believe the frenzied activity at Port Fourchon resulting from the return of Gulf exploration, significant expansion projects currently underway at several key service firms in the Houma area, the fully booked pipelines at the shipyards of Edison Chouest and Bollinger, and the various coastal restoration projects either underway or planned, will lead to a substantial increase in the population and employment base of the Houma area over the next five years. With its excellent location, superior floor plans, and premier status in the market, Ansley Place offers our investors a high quality asset located directly in the path of Houma’s growing economy. ,” said Justin Landry, head of Multi-Family Asset Management for Stirling Properties.
“Multi-family is an asset class that Stirling Properties has grown very bullish on in recent years based upon the demographic and economic trends in the nation,” stated Marty Mayer, President and CEO of Stirling Properties. “With the addition of Ansley Place Stirling Investors’ portfolio has grown to more than1,000 units, a significant milestone considering three years ago they did not own a single unit.”
BH Management Services, based in Des Moines, Iowa, runs the day to day activities of the property as is the case with all of Stirling’s 1,042 units.
For more information about Stirling Properties Acquisition Team and its objectives contact Jeff Marshall at (985) 246-3765 or jmarshall@stirlingprop.com.
Stirling Properties Celebrates Grand Opening of Full-Service Walgreens Drug Store on New Orleans Westbank
Earlier today Stirling Properties celebrated the opening of the new full-service Walgreens drugstore in Terrytown on the Westbank of New Orleans. The celebration was commemorated with a ceremonial cutting of the ribbon by Jefferson Parish Councilman Ricky Templet, Walgreens Representative Bill Hagoort and Stirling Properties Vice President of Development, Peter Aamodt. The Walgreens is located at the intersection of Terry Parkway and Carol Sue Avenue on the site of the former A&P Grocery/Eckerd Drug anchored shopping center.
“This project represents a cooperative effort between Stirling Properties and Jefferson Parish to bring back a distressed commercial property to prominence once again as a viable retail corner that will serve the people of Terrytown”, said Peter Aamodt, Vice President of Development for Stirling Properties.
The larger 17,384 square foot store has a drive thru window and full service pharmacy and will serve as a catalyst for future development to help revitalize an aging retail corridor. Stirling provided pre-development services, including lease negotiation, permitting, financing, design, as well as construction and project management.
As a preferred developer for the Walgreens Company in the Gulf South, Stirling Properties has had a long-standing relationship with the retailer. Last year Stirling completed a full renovation of the former Ed Brauner American Legion Post #307 to a 13,000 square-foot Walgreens Marquee store. Another approved Walgreens site, currently in the early stages of development, is at the intersection of Veterans Memorial Boulevard and Power Boulevard in Metairie, La.
For more information, contact Peter Aamodt, Vice President of Development for Stirling Properties, at paamodt@stirlingprop.com or by calling (504) 523-4481.
Stirling Properties and CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. Celebrate Grand Opening of Fremaux Town Center Phase I
Today, Stirling Properties and CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. (NYSE: CBL) celebrated the Grand Opening of Phase I of Fremaux Town Center in Slidell, Louisiana. The 352,342 square-foot shopping center, with anchors including Kohl’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Best Buy and, T.J.Maxx, is over 95% leased. Phase II, anchored by Dillard’s, will commence construction later this year.
Fremaux Town Center is located on more than 80 acres at the southwest corner of Interstate 10 and Fremaux Avenue in Slidell, LA. Slidell is the largest municipality in St. Tammany Parish on the northern shore of Lake Pontchartrain near the city of New Orleans. The area has experienced significant growth following Hurricane Katrina. With its interstate location and high-visibility, Fremaux Town Center is expected to become a regional destination. “With the opening of Phase I of the Fremaux Town Center here in Slidell, the whole of St. Tammany Parish is the beneficiary,” said Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President. “This economic development endeavor will bring jobs and commerce to Slidell, and provide shopping and dining options for people coming into the Parish from other areas. This development will be another reason for people to Live, Work and Explore St. Tammany.”
“This is a wonderful day for the City of Slidell, one of the most anticipated economic development projects in Eastern St. Tammany Parish for nearly a decade. Stirling Properties is excited to have been able to deliver this center to the City and we look forward to continuing to grow this project with future phases and tenant openings.” said Stirling Properties’ Senior Vice President of Development Townsend Underhill.
Today’s festivities included a ceremonial ribbon cutting, the Slidell High School Band and special guests Mayor Freddy Drennan, St. Tammany Parish President Pat Brister, and City of Slidell Council Members. “We are thrilled to have such a beautiful development in our City,” said Slidell Mayor Freddy Drennan. “I know our citizens are excited about the opening of Fremaux Town Center. I would like to thank Stirling Properties and CBL & Associates for all their efforts in bringing this development to Slidell and we look forward to developing the remaining 400 acres.”
Stirling and CBL also announced a contribution of $10,000 to Keep Slidell Beautiful in honor of today’s Grand Opening. This contribution will fund the construction of signage welcoming visitors to the City of Slidell as they head west on Fremaux Avenue from Interstate 12. This signage and accompanying landscaping will set the benchmark for future entrance signage throughout the City of Slidell. “Keep Slidell Beautiful and the City of Slidell very sincerely appreciate the financial support of Stirling Properties and CBL & Associates Properties in purchasing the new city entrance sign on Fremaux Avenue. We are looking forward to a continued partnership with both of these companies. Keep Slidell Beautiful’s current plan is to take this new sign concept through several more of Slidell’s main entrances,” stated Bill Mauser, Executive Director of Keep Slidell Beautiful.
“Fremaux Town Center will not only provide Slidell and the surrounding area with an outstanding retail destination but will make a positive and lasting contribution to the region. We are thrilled to be partners with Stirling and look forward to bringing additional stores and restaurants to the market,” said Michael Lebovitz, Executive Vice President, Development and Administration of CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.
Tenants Now Open
Kohl’s
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Longhorn Steakhouse
Best Buy
PetSmart
Mattress Direct
Lane Bryant
Kirkland’s
Carter’s
Dressbarn
Rack Room Shoes
Anna’s Linens
Tenants Opening Soon
Massage Envy
Versona Accessories
Starbucks
Cheddar’s
T.J.Maxx
Michaels
Ulta Beauty
Verizon Wireless
Bellagio Nail Spa
GNC
Felipe’s Taqueria
Five Guys Burgers and Fries
Sport Clips
LA Fitness
AND MANY MORE SOON TO BE ANNOUNCED!
For leasing information, please contact Ryan Pecot at 337.572.0246 or email at rpecot@stirlingprop.com; Rodney Gordon at 423.553.8704 or email at rodney_gordon@cblproperties.com or Robert Snetman at 423.490.8333 or email at Robert_snetman@cblproperties.com.
Fremaux Town Center – February Update
The push this week at Fremaux Town Center is to “finish strong”. The buildings are in their final stages of completion with fixturing and stocking of the shelves underway. The parking lot defining stripping and traffic controls wrap up this week with connecting sidewalks and landscaping in their final stages. A large number of the tenants have building ID signage installed announcing openings in March. Stirling Properties and CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. (NYSE: CBL) will be grand opening Phase I of Fremaux Town Center on March 14, 2014. Stay tuned for more updates!
