President’s Message: Optimism and Growth at ICSC
Having recently returned from Las Vegas where I attended my 25th consecutive International Council of Shopping Centers Convention, I am struck by several themes that continued to emerge for me.
The upbeat mood and sense of optimism was widespread and apparent, a stark contrast to the mood two years ago. Convention attendance improved again this year which kept our booth buzzing with retailers, lenders and investors looking to learn more about our properties and services.
The amount of new development activity that we have in progress is incredible. Our colleagues in other regions were amazed to hear about the number of projects we currently have in the pipeline. Our markets are attracting a lot of attention both from new retailers entering for the first time, and from those looking to expand their footprints.
New Orleans, in particular, is in a sweet spot unlike I’ve ever witnessed in my career.
Now, more than ever, the importance of a strong brand is paramount to success in today’s environment. In order to attract capital, gain the confidence of retailers and navigate the complexities of a new development, it is crucial to have a strong track record and a well-respected brand.
I was once again reminded how strong our Stirling brand has become, in every niche we occupy, both locally and nationally.
While there are many uncertainties on the horizon – capital availability and terms, internet sales’ impact on bricks and mortar stores and consumer confidence; I believe we are well situated to weather those uncertainties and continue to experience new growth and prosperity.
Market Research Updates – Rankings and Market Snapshots
Check out all the latest Market Research available from Stirling Properties.
- State of Louisiana
- Greater New Orleans
- Greater Baton Rouge
- Acadiana Market / Lafayette
- North & Central Louisiana
- Houma & Morgan City
- Lake Charles Metro
- Mississippi & Gulf Coast
- New Orleans Southshore
- New Orleans Northshore
- Baton Rouge Metro
- Acadiana Market / Lafayette
- Shreveport / Bossier City
- Mississippi Gulf Coast
For additional market information, contact one of our agents today.
Stirling Properties Salutes Team Members at Annual Stirling Honors Event
COVINGTON, Louisiana —- (MARCH 27, 2012) On Thursday, March 22, Stirling Properties recognized employees and top commercial agents at the company’s annual Stirling Honors. Held at The National WWII Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana, this year’s celebration – “A Salute to You” – not only honored the dedication and commitment of the Stirling Team, but the inspirational journey of keynote speaker and former New Orleans Saints player – Steve Gleason. (more…)
Mid-City Market Groundbreaking Signifies Stirling Properties Milestone
Pictured (L-R): Grady Brame of Stirling Properties, Tommy Buckel of Duplantis Design Group, Chip Verges of VergesRome Architects, Joey Medina of Winn-Dixie, Chip Songy of Stirling Properties, Lewis Stirling of Stirling Properties, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, District A Councilwoman Susan Guidry, Marty Mayer of Stirling Properties, Aimee Quirk - City of New Orleans Mayor’s Office, Townsend Underhill of Stirling Properties, and Jack Donahue of Donahue Favret
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana —- (MARCH 20, 2012) Earlier today Stirling Properties commemorated the groundbreaking of Mid-City Market, the highly anticipated urban shopping center development located along the North Carrollton Avenue commercial corridor in New Orleans, Louisiana. Opening in early 2013, Mid-City Market will complement the proposed Lafitte Greenway pedestrian and bicycle pathway that will border the shopping center.
The 107,713 square foot, Winn-Dixie anchored shopping center represents Stirling Properties continued investment in the New Orleans market and one of the most significant retail developments in the city since hurricane Katrina.
The Honorable Mayor Mitch Landrieu commented that, “Mid-City Market is critical for the continued revitalization of this important corridor. Though they were once blighted and vacant properties, this project will bring properties back into commerce and will interact nicely with Lafitte Greenway, which itself will spur activity and redevelopment across the city. Mid-City Market will bring hundreds of new jobs, new sales and property tax dollars and improved quality of life for Orleans Parish residents.”
“This project embodies the strength of the New Orleans recovery and represents yet another important step in bringing retail back to the city,” stated Lewis Stirling, Executive Vice President of Stirling Properties. “We are pleased to be moving forward with the Mid-City Market project which represents yet another significant milestone in our Company’s history.”
Stirling Properties has a 37 year history of real estate development, management and commercial brokerage throughout the Gulf South. In the past few years investment in the city of New Orleans has become a focus in Stirling Properties development strategy. Since Katrina, the redevelopment of Bultman Funeral Home into Borders Bookstore and later Fresh Market Grocery, the acquisition of the Pan American Life Building, and the company’s current redevelopment of the American Legion Hall on Magazine Street into an upscale Walgreens Drugstore all exemplify Stirling Properties renewed commitment to the City of New Orleans.
Stirling Properties’ Townsend Underhill, Vice President of Development says that, Stirling Properties will continue to work on a number of other potential projects in the city of New Orleans and hopes Mid-City Market will be the springboard to furthering the recovery in New Orleans.
To commemorate the groundbreaking event Mayor Mitch Landrieu, Councilwoman Susan Guidry and Regional VP of Winn-Dixie, Joey Medina, along with Stirling Properties’ Marty Mayer, President and CEO, Lewis Stirling, Townsend Underhill, tenant representatives from the development and the Mid-City Market design and construction team of VergesRome Architects, Duplantis Design Group and Donahue Favret Contractors Inc. were in attendance.
Tenants with executed leases in the development include Office Depot, Neighborhood Pet Market by Jefferson Feed, Felipe’s Taqueria, Pinkberry Frozen Yogurt, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, and Pei Wei Asian Diner. Mid-City Market is 80% pre-leased with other tenant announcements forthcoming. Additional lease space is also available. For more information contact Chris Abadie, Vice President and Manager of Stirling Properties’ Commercial Brokerage Division, at (985) 246-3721 or cabadie@stirlingprop.com.
For more information about the development of Mid-City Market, contact Townsend Underhill at (985) 246-3785 or tunderhill@stirlingprop.com.
Retailers at River Chase Shopping Center Celebrate Store Openings
COVINGTON, Louisiana —- (MARCH 8, 2012) River Chase Shopping Center celebrates the store opening of several national retailers in the development’s newest phase. The first openings are scheduled to occur over the next few weeks with others to open this summer. The store opening schedules are as follows:
- March 12 – ULTA Beauty
- March 16 – Michael’s
- Late March to June – Charming Charlie, Maurices, The Children’s Place, Justice, Carter’s and Chuck E Cheese
Currently there are retail and restaurant outparcels, up to six acres, available for sale or lease. In addition, small shop options are available for lease ranging from 1,800 SF to 4,500 SF. For information about these and other retail sales and leasing opportunities contact Rhonda Sharkawy, Retail Leasing & Development Executive for Stirling Properties, at rsharkawy@stirlingprop.com or call (504) 523-4481. For information about the Offices at River Chase contact Lee de la Houssaye, Leasing and Sales Associate for Stirling Properties, at ldelahoussaye@stirlingprop.com or call (985) 246-3774. For more information about the River Chase development contact Townsend Underhill at tunderhill@stirlingprop.com or call (985) 898-2022.
Stirling Collaborates with Tulane Real Estate Club
Earlier this month, Jordi Goodman represented Stirling Properties on a panel of young professionals in Real Estate in the Greater New Orleans area put on by the newly-formed Tulane Real Estate Club (TREC). The Panel discussion centered on the role of young professionals in the present and future commercial real estate industry in New Orleans. This marked the second presentation from Stirling to TREC and solidified the beginning of an exciting new connection between Stirling and TREC, or broader, between the Real Estate Industry and Higher Education in New Orleans. TREC’s mission is to provide a venue for students and professionals to network and learn through meetings, guest lectures, and site visits.
The Commercial Real Estate industry is evolving very quickly. As it evolves, the range of professions becomes more diverse, expanding the breadth and volume of available opportunities and career paths to recent graduates. Dedicated Real Estate classroom study not only trains the next generation of real estate leaders, but pushes the envelope on studies and best practices within the industry. Stirling cares deeply about the Tulane community and is proud to support its student’s efforts in the study of Real Estate. We are extremely optimistic about having a channel to collaborate with such a meaningful group of students and faculty in the MBA and MSRED programs. Stirling looks forward to becoming active at Tulane and giving back to the Tulane community and the City of New Orleans through leveraging our expertise and sharing our value as a commercial real estate company.
