Stirling & Level Homes Developing Arabella at Dutchtown Townhomes in Ascension Parish
Through a joint venture with Level Homes, Stirling announces the development of Arabella at Dutchtown Townhomes in Geismar, Louisiana. This project marks Stirling’s continued strategy of, build-to-rent development.
Stirling and Level Homes recently closed on the acquisition of 7.51 acres of property and plan to develop 48 units along with a leasing office and clubhouse. The new development will consist of 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom high-quality, single-family townhomes expressly built for the rental market. The Architectural Studio leads the project design team, and the builder is Level Homes. Construction will begin on the first townhomes later this month, and the development is expected to be complete by the end of 2024.
Through the joint venture, Stirling will be responsible for development, horizontal land improvements, and amenities, in addition to asset management and accounting oversight of the project. Level Homes will be responsible for all vertical building improvements. BH Management will handle daily onsite management and leasing.
“The population of Ascension Parish has grown significantly over the past ten years and is projected to continue, and we believe this is an ideal product type for this market on a site that is extremely well located within the market,” said Townsend Underhill, President of Development with Stirling. “Stirling is excited to continue its commitment to deliver high quality Build to Rent communities. “
“Level Homes is excited to be a part of the Arabella development adjacent to our Belle Savanne, for-sale community. Our company has an extensive track record of developing high-quality, master-planned communities throughout Southeast Louisiana. We look forward to creating value-driven homes and a unique residential experience for the Prairieville area,” said Todd Waguespack, Managing Partner with Level Homes.
This product type is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the U.S. housing market as build-to-rent properties continue to be attractive to seniors, singles, and families alike—as it offers renters the conveniences of homeownership without the financial and maintenance burdens that come with it.
For more information on Stirling’s development services, contact John Woodard, Director of Development and Asset Management, at jwoodard@stirlingprop.com or (504) 523-4481.
Stirling Properties Relocates Baton Rouge Office in United Plaza Office Park
New, expanded office footprint will combine two existing Baton Rouge locations.
Stirling Properties is pleased to announce the merger and relocation of its Baton Rouge offices to United Plaza II located in United Plaza Office Park at 8550 United Plaza Boulevard, Suite 101, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The new, expanded office footprint will combine the company’s two existing Baton Rouge locations into one central office.
The company has moved from its former locations at 8550 United Plaza Boulevard, Suite 303, and 6160 Perkins Road, Suite 200, to combined more than 30 employees, commercial brokers, and building management staff under one roof.
Stirling Properties now occupies more than 9,000 square feet of office space on the 1st floor of United Plaza II. The new office space features a collaborative, open floor concept with a mix of both private and shared office suites, as well as upgraded amenities. The company moved into the new office space in late November and will hold its official grand opening celebration on Thursday, December 5th.
Earlier this year, Stirling Properties and Baton Rouge-based SVN | Graham, Langlois & Legendre (SVN | GLL) announced a strategic merger to combine commercial real estate services in the Gulf South region and expand their presence in the burgeoning Greater Baton Rouge market. Joining forces enabled the companies to compete more efficiently and effectively in the local commercial real estate market and significantly increased market share through an expanded portfolio, service offering and team capacity.
“Stirling Properties is committed to the Baton Rouge area and business community, and we are expanding our presence and service offerings in the market and across the entire Gulf South region. Baton Rouge continues to be one of our most important areas for commercial real estate brokerage, management, development and investment sales,” said Marty Mayer, President & CEO with Stirling Properties. “We are combining offices and expanding into a larger space that will enable us to leverage all the resources of Stirling Properties to help our clients achieve their real estate goals.”
United Plaza Office Park is a 75-acre development encompassing twelve buildings that are home to a mix of national, regional and local companies. Stirling Properties owns, manages, and leases United Plaza I, United Plaza II, United Plaza VIII and United Plaza XII, totaling over 500,000 square feet of office space.
For commercial real estate needs and information in the Greater Baton Rouge area, contact Stirling Properties at (225) 926-4481.
Torchy’s Tacos and AT&T Store Headed to LSU’s Nicholson Gateway in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
LSU and Stirling Properties announced today that Torchy’s Tacos and AT&T will fill two more retail spaces in the university’s Nicholson Gateway Development, a mixed-use project located on a 28-acre site of the Nicholson Drive Corridor, between West Chimes Street and Skip Bertman Drive.
The two new tenants join anchor retailer Matherne’s Market, Wendy’s, Starbucks, Private Stock, Frutta Bowls, The Simple Greek and Baton Rouge General Express Care in the roughly 50,000-square-foot retail component of Nicholson Gateway. With the addition of these two tenants, all the first-floor retail space in the project is now fully leased.
Torchy’s Tacos, a popular Austin, TX-based taco chain, will open its first location in Louisiana in early 2020, occupying more than 4,000 square feet of space on the end cap facing Nicholson Drive. The fast-casual restaurant is known for its Tex-Mex-inspired menu, including a variety of unique tacos and signature cocktails. Torchy’s started in 2006 as a food truck and has since grown to more than 60 locations across Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado and Arkansas.
AT&T will fill 1,675 square feet of retail space next to The Simple Greek, facing Nicholson Drive. The mobile phone sales, service and accessories provider plans to open in January of 2020.
Stirling Properties’ commercial real estate advisors Rhonda Sharkawy and Dottie Tarleton worked with both tenants to secure locations in the retail development. An additional 11,000+ square feet of rooftop space is available for lease.
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 last fall, Nicholson Gateway includes 763 units of apartment-style housing for more than 1,500 students, with associated residential support spaces, such as lounge spaces, study areas, community gathering places. The project turned 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 at dtarleton@stirlingprop.com or 225-922-4253 or Rhonda Sharkawy at rsharkawy@stirlingprop.com or 504-620-8145.
For student leasing information, visit lsu.edu/nicholson.
Part #3 – Retail Site Selection for Drug Stores
Drug Stores Have Unique, Evolving Characteristics
Around the turn of the century, the Drug Store War for “Class-A” corners erupted across the Gulf South. Between the Rite Aid and K&B merger, as well as CVS and Walgreens aggressively competing for market share, the race was fast and furious. I distinctly remember sale prices exceeding $20/foot for the first time, and “Coming Soon” signs appearing on corners on the regular. Most of the drug stores that we frequent today were likely built between 1998-2006.
Unlike convenience stores that rely on traffic counts or quick-serve restaurants that benefit from both traffic counts and proximity to customers, drug stores focus more heavily on population or “warm bodies.” And, even though location and access are important, drug stores can be considered a “destination retailer.”
The reason being, although a large portion of a drug store’s customer base picks up their prescriptions during their P.M. commute, drug stores don’t rely on the impulse consumer dollar.
Extensive studies have shown (in a market size like Baton Rouge, LA) most script fillers will use the drug store located within a five-mile radius of their home.
Further, one-third of a drug store’s gross revenue is generated during off-peak hours, attributed to homemakers and retirees shopping during the day, patients picking up scripts after doctor’s visits, as well as their weekend customer base.
However, with the amount of capital that major drug stores like Walgreens, CVS and their competitors have invested in their marque locations, they in turn, usually have higher overhead and product pricing.
At a time when families have less disposable income and higher healthcare and prescription costs, more and more consumers are starting to sacrifice convenience for cheaper pharmacy alternatives.
Grocery-store pharmacies such as Walmart, Kroger and Sav-On, as well as discount prescription providers, online pharmacies, wholesalers and health clinics have seen a spike in sales, posing a threat to the retail drug store industry.
While existing population is still a key factor in the drug store site selection process, drug stores have started purchasing sites in outlying/rural areas where new home sales, multifamily communities and spikes in population are projected.
We are also seeing drugstore chains looking at more unique locations than they have in the past, capitalizing on mall shoppers, students, office building and hotel users. Some are incorporating smaller footprints with more curated product offerings or expanding in-store healthcare services to enhance their brick-and-mortar customer experience.
As consumer behavior continues to evolve, so will the characteristics and site selection needs of retailers, including drug stores.
Working with a site selection specialist that knows the market trends and projected growth patterns can be an invaluable asset for any retailer looking for sustained growth in a market.
Stay Tuned for Collier’s Next Post!
If you are interested in a site selection specialist, or for questions regarding your commercial real estate property, contact J. Collier Thornton at (225) 926-4481 or cthornton@stirlingprop.com.
Stirling Properties Celebrates the Grand Re-Opening of Cornerview Plaza in Gonzales, Louisiana
Redevelopment of former Kmart into multi-tenant retail center.
Jackie Baumann, Chief Engineer, City of Gonzales; Peyton Gallup, Business First Bank; Sandy Menetre, Business First Bank; Councilman David Guitreau, City of Gonzales; Councilman Tyler Turner, City of Gonzales; Councilman Neal Bourque, City of Gonzales; Scot Byrd, CAO/City Clerk, City of Gonzales; Councilman Kirk Boudreaux, City of Gonzales; Mayor Barney Arceneaux, City of Gonzales; Steve Zito, Zito-Russell Architects; Grady Brame, Stirling Properties; Tommy Chisolm, Zito-Russell Architects; Ryan Juneau, Stirling Properties; Townsend Underhill, Stirling Properties; Willie Robinson, Ascension Realty of Louisiana; Kate McArthur, President & CEO of Ascension Economic Development Corp.; Barker Dirmann, President & CEO of Ascension Chamber of Commerce; Justin Lomax, Brasfield & Gorrie; David Laizer, Duplantis Design Group; Jacob Green, Brasfield & Gorrie
Stirling Properties and Gonzales-area community leaders celebrate the grand re-opening of the newly renovated Cornerview Plaza located at Airline Highway and Cornerview Street in Gonzales, Louisiana. A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony was held with Honorable Barney Arceneaux, Mayor of Gonzales; Councilman Kirk Boudreaux, City of Gonzales; Councilman Neal Bourque, City of Gonzales; Councilman Tyler Turner, City of Gonzales; Councilman David Guitreau, City of Gonzales; Kate McArthur, President & CEO of Ascension Economic Development Corp.; Barker Dirmann, President & CEO of Ascension Chamber of Commerce; Grady Brame, Executive Vice President with Stirling Properties; and Townsend Underhill, President of Development with Stirling Properties.
“What a wonderful day for Gonzales! We are all so excited to be here today at this beautiful new site. Not only does this redevelopment bring exciting, new-to-market retail stores for our community, but it also means more jobs for our people, a much better tax base for our folks, and, let me tell you, that means everything to Gonzales. We appreciate you all being here with us today to celebrate. Thank you to Stirling Properties for facilitating this project and working with us to bring it to fruition,” said Mayor Arceneaux.
Stirling Properties recently redeveloped and re-tenanted the 124,000-square-foot retail center.
Marshalls, ULTA Beauty, Ross Dress for Less and Five Below backfilled the 40-year-old, 86,000-square-foot former Kmart space into a fully renovated, upscale retail center. A 3,500-square-foot outparcel building was also constructed on the property for Aspen Dental. The new retailers join anchor-tenant Rouse’s Market and AT&T. An additional, 2,800-square-foot retail space is available for lease.
Construction on the site commenced in early 2019, and most of the retailers are open and operating. ULTA Beauty is on track to open in early November. Ryan Pécot, Senior Retail Leasing & Development Advisor with Stirling Properties, worked on behalf of the landlord in securing the tenants for the center. Stirling Properties serves as the Asset Manager and exclusive leasing agent of the property and is overseeing the redevelopment project. The company will also continue daily property management operations.
“Stirling Properties is excited to celebrate the grand reopening of Cornerview Plaza and to officially welcome these highly anticipated tenants to the Gonzales market. We are proud to have been a part of this unique development project—reestablishing Cornerview as a major shopping destination and creating economic growth for the surrounding Ascension community,” said Grady Brame, Executive Vice President with Stirling Properties.
“Economic impact trickles through the whole community. New economic announcements like this show that people are coming here, they are shopping here, they’re buying houses here. Every single new project builds a stronger, better economy—not only for the City of Gonzales but the entire Ascension Parish. We hope projects like this will serve as an impetus to even more development in our community,“ said McArthur.
“Thank you for investing in this community, the City of Gonzales and the Parish of Ascension. Thank you to our Mayor and community leaders for your vision and for putting together a comprehensive plan to move this city forward. It shows that we are not just looking at tomorrow, we’re looking 5, 10, 20 years in the future, and that is critical for sustained success,” said Dirmann. “Economic development wins like this directly influence the quality of place in this community and quality of life for our citizens.”
Stirling Properties has developed/redeveloped nearly $2 billion of commercial real estate across the Gulf South region, totaling more than 23 million square feet, including retail, office, industrial, healthcare, residential and mixed-use properties. For leasing information, contact Ryan Pécot at 337.572.0246 / rpecot@stirlingprop.com.
Retail Site Selection for Fast Food Restaurants or QSRs
Retail Trends Have Changed
While smartphones and technological advances have created the convenience for consumers to do just about anything with the simple push of a button, somehow it seems our society has never been busier. We are always on the go. Studies have shown that on average, today’s consumer spends approximately 30% more time in their vehicles than ten years ago.
Part #2: Fast Food or Quick Serve Restaurant (QSR)
The one retail sector that has seen the greatest benefit from today’s hustle-and-bustle society is the Fast Food industry (or Quick Serve Restaurant (QSR)).
As mentioned in Part #1 of this blog series, all retailers rely on traffic counts and accessibility of their location. And, like convenience stores (C-Stores), QSRs benefit greatly from traffic counts, but they must also consider proximity to their customers.
Until recently, very few QSRs focused on the A.M. or “breakfast consumer.” For years, except for a handful of fast-food chains like McDonald’s, most QSRs only focused on the lunch and dinner or P.M. consumer. Therefore, being on the P.M. side of the road was a must.
However, with retail markets becoming heavily saturated with QSRs, coupled with the increased capital tied up in a restaurant, QSRs have been forced to start offering a breakfast menu. In some cases, the small margin of revenue that breakfast sales now provide has become a crucial component in a QSR’s profitability.
The one QSR statistic that has remained a constant, however, is that the P.M. consumer is most likely to visit a QSR within 1-2 miles (5-7 minutes) from their home.
Most experts contribute this trend to two major factors: familiarity of surroundings and being able to eat a hot meal at home. So, unlike C-Stores, proximity to rooftops must be considered when choosing a QSR site. While C-Stores can rely solely on traffic counts, QSRs cannot.
With the addition of breakfast menus, more and more QSRs that once wanted to be on the P.M. side of the road will now select the best site in a desired trade area. Therefore, working with a seasoned site selection advisor can be extremely helpful in determining and identifying the ideal location to best capitalize on the surrounding market.
Stay Tuned… Part #3 – Drug Stores
If you are interested in a site selection specialist, or for questions regarding your commercial real estate property, contact J. Collier Thornton at (225) 926-4481 or cthornton@stirlingprop.com.
