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 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.
New Orleans Most Improved City for Business in Wall Street Journal
Yet another testament to what is happening in the Greater New Orleans region in such a short period of time. Once rated dead last by this same ranking, New Orleans jumped an incredible 44 spots to become the most improved city in the nation. Wow! Click here to read the full article.
Retail/Commercial Component of Columbia Parc at the Bayou District
Columbia Parc at the Bayou District
Stirling Properties is serving as a consultant for Columbia Parc at the Bayou District and we recently completed a report commissioned by the Bayou District Foundation in New Orleans for the development of the retail and commercial component for the master-planned, mixed use community. The report includes an inventory of existing resources and conditions, identification of retail tenants, preliminary design and programming, identification of funding sources, development budgets, construction timelines, and recommendations on a go-forward strategy. We believe that re-development and re-population of former neighborhoods like St. Bernard will be crucial to the continued recovery of the City of New Orleans and we are pleased to be able to contribute to such a worthy project.
Retail and commercial businesses are a vital and essential component of any mixed-use residential development. The area surrounding the new Columbia Parc development has been historically underserved from a retail perspective. Numerous opportunities exist for retailers willing to locate in this emerging and underserved area and our response from national and local prospects alike has been very positive.
Columbia Parc at the Bayou District is a new $440 million mixed-income redevelopment of the former St. Bernard housing project located on St. Bernard Avenue near I-110 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Since groundbreaking in 2008, the Bayou District Foundation, together with Columbia Residential, has created 515 high quality new mixed-income housing units (of a planned 1,325). One of the largest and most successful urban renewal projects in the United States, the Bayou District has earned nationwide acclaim for its forward-thinking development approach and innovation. A part of the Bayou Foundation’s vision is the development of retail and commercial presence on a 6 acre tract fronting St. Bernard Avenue to serve the residents as well as the entire community.
Related Article from New Orleans CityBusiness “Redeveloped St. Bernard Project Tries to Surpass Community It Was Modeled After”
