Stirling and Kent Design Build Announce Groundbreaking of New Corporate Headquarters at River Chase
Stirling and Kent Design Build today joined St. Tammany Corporation to announce the commencement of construction for River Chase Office II, a cutting-edge Class A office building spanning over 50,000 square feet, which will serve as the new corporate headquarters for both Stirling and Kent Design Build. This strategic move to the River Chase development reflects the companies’ commitment to growth, innovation, and investment in St. Tammany Parish.
“Relocating our corporate headquarters is a significant milestone for Stirling. St. Tammany Parish is an ideal location for our corporate headquarters, allowing us excellent connectivity to the entire Gulf South Region,” said Townsend Underhill, President & CEO of Stirling. “We are enthusiastic about the opportunities this move presents for our company and our employees. The new building not only signifies our commitment to growth but also positions us for greater achievements in the years to come.”
Stirling and Kent Design Build’s new corporate headquarters, near the intersection of Interstate 12 and LA Highway 21, was designed by Southeastern Louisiana-based architecture firm Eskew Dumez Ripple (EDR). The state-of-the-art design represents an investment of more than $20 million and will include a rooftop terrace, a reservable boardroom for the tenants of the building, and a geothermal HVAC system. The array of advantages provided by this modern workplace facility will bolster the company’s commitment to serving clients and employees.
“St. Tammany Parish is our home, and as a lifelong resident of the Northshore, witnessing the ongoing development of the market area has been truly incredible,” said Kyle Kent, President & CEO of Kent Design Build. “As our company continues to expand, we are proud to continue to invest in our community and work more closely with our partners to deliver world-class projects to the Northshore, South Louisiana, and beyond.”
Both companies have a long history of investing and doing business in St. Tammany Parish. Stirling has had an office in the community for over 40 years, and Kent Design Build has been based in St. Tammany since its founding in 1996. Together, they employ over 200 people in St. Tammany.
“Stirling and Kent Design Build have been tremendous partners for St. Tammany Parish, and they have renewed their commitment to our community with this investment,” said St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper. “When great companies, like Stirling and Kent Design Build, invest in St. Tammany, it not only provides quality jobs for our citizens but also boosts our nation-leading economy.”
“St. Tammany Parish has long been the destination of choice for corporate headquarters and the highly skilled talent that powers their operations,” said Chris Masingill, CEO of St. Tammany Corporation. “These two premier St. Tammany-based companies represent a cross-section of two industry sectors, real estate and construction, that are critical to our local and regional economy, and their reinvestment into our community exemplify our message that businesses can start up, scale, and stay right here on the Northshore and become incredibly successful.”
Renderings of the new facility are below. For leasing information, contact Ryan Murphy at (985) 246-3771 or rmurphy@stirlingprop.com.
Stirling Assists Birmingham Water Works in Acquiring New Industrial Life Science Facility
Stirling Advisors Juhmad M. Hollis and Melissa Warren, CCIM represented Birmingham Water Works (BWWB) in their search to acquire a new building for the development of their new EnviroLab facility. The acquisition marks a pivotal moment in the BWWB’s relentless pursuit of advancing water quality standards in the Birmingham metropolitan area.
Through their collaborative efforts, BWWB acquired the class A R&D facility in Oxmoor South Industrial Park, located at 100 Lucerne Lane, Birmingham, AL. The newly acquired building measures 30,000 SF of office, wet lab, and warehouse space and is situated on 5.7 acres. Upgrades are planned for the facility to incorporate state-of-the-art technology for water-testing laboratory services. The life-sciences facility will serve as a cornerstone in the Birmingham Water Works’ unwavering commitment to ensuring the utmost in water quality for the communities it serves.
Juhmad M. Hollis and Melissa Warren, Advisors with Stirling, guided Birmingham Water Works through the intricate process of acquiring the building. Their profound knowledge of the Birmingham real estate landscape, combined with their skills in life science and industrial transactions, contributed significantly to the successful realization of this venture.
“We are excited to have assisted the Birmingham Water Works in acquiring their new EnviroLab facility,” stated Melissa Warren, Senior Advisor at Stirling. “This accomplishment not only exemplifies our commitment to delivering exceptional real estate solutions but also highlights our collaborative efforts with the Birmingham Water Works’ executive team and engineers.”
“As a commercial real estate advisor, it was an honor to work with Birmingham Water Works to assist them in achieving their goals. Having been born and raised in the City of Birmingham, this was a particularly important project because it impacts my family and the people in my community,” said Juhmad M. Hollis, Advisor, Associate Broker at Stirling. “Stirling has allowed me to not only utilize my Alabama real estate license but also engage in meaningful endeavors that resonate deeply with my roots and empowers me to seamlessly integrate my expertise, making a tangible and positive impact on the city that raised me.”
Will Barrois Promoted to Vice President and Manager of the Commercial Advisory Division
Stirling is pleased to announce Will Barrois’ promotion to Vice President and Manager of the Commercial Advisory Division. Stirling’s Advisory Division features specialists in all aspects of commercial real estate, including retail, office, industrial, healthcare, and investment sales. With offices throughout the Gulf South region, our team of over 50 Advisors is equipped with in-depth industry knowledge and sophisticated market research to identify opportunities for our clients.
“Will has been an integral part of the Stirling family since 2002 when he joined as an Advisor in our Covington Office,” stated Marty Mayer, President and CEO of Stirling. “Over the years, he has displayed exemplary leadership and expertise, making him an ideal candidate to lead the division to new heights.” In 2014, Will was pivotal in expanding Stirling’s operations to the Eastern Region, serving as VP and Regional Manager for the Eastern Gulf South and qualifying broker for Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.
Throughout his journey, Will has demonstrated his ability as an industry leader, holding multiple regional leadership positions in the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), acting as a Trustee for the Alabama Center for Real Estate (ACRE), and graduating from the esteemed Leadership Alabama program, among numerous other accomplishments.
“I am incredibly honored and excited to take on the role of Vice President and Manager of the Commercial Advisory Division at Stirling,” said Will Barrois. “Having been a part of Stirling for over two decades, I have witnessed firsthand the dedication and passion that drives our team. During this period, we have grown to 8 offices, over 50 Advisors, over $2 Billion in commercial sales volume, and over 530 million square feet of commercial properties and land for sale or lease. I am committed to fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation within the division and continuing Stirling’s legacy of excellence in the commercial real estate industry.”
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 Announces Additional Shareholder
Stirling is pleased to announce that effective January 1, 2023, Justin Landry will become a shareholder of Stirling Properties, LLC. Landry joins Marty Mayer, President, and CEO; Townsend Underhill, President of Development; Grady Brame, Executive Vice President; Donna Smith, Executive Vice President; and Paul Mastio, Chief Financial Officer, as part of the company’s ownership team. Justin is also being promoted to Sr. Vice President of Development and Finance.
Landry joined Stirling in 2007, where his primary focus has been to oversee the economic feasibility of Developments and Acquisitions across all of Stirling’s property types. He also manages a $1.2 billion debt portfolio of over 80 real estate loans. Justin has been responsible for the placement of a multitude of real estate debt for our clients. Since 2007, Stirling has closed nearly $3 billion of interim and permanent financings with every type of lender that operates in the Gulf South. Additionally, Justin has played a vital role in Stirling’s move into multi-family real estate.
“After graduating from LSU, Justin joined Stirling and has truly learned debt and equity markets and the Commercial Real Estate industry from the ground up. His growth as a professional and a leader has been an amazing journey. We are excited for the future of Stirling and Justin playing a significant role in our evolution”, commented Townsend Underhill.
As part of the Stirling ownership, Justin will expand his role within the Company’s Development, Finance, and Acquisition functions and help lead the company in expanding its existing business plan, growth, profitability, and strong business connections.
“Justin has proven to be an exceptional leader within Stirling and our industry. And most importantly, he embodies our core values and is a role model for others, “stated Marty Mayer.
Justin is an active member of ICSC (Innovating Commerce Serving Communities), where he has served on their Scholarship Committee and Next Generation Leadership Network. Most recently, he was chosen as Marketplace Council Director for the Southeast Region. In 2020, Mr. Landry was awarded the prestigious CRE® credential by The Counselors of Real Estate®.
Stirling Properties Announces President and CEO Marty Mayer to Retire, Townsend Underhill Named Successor
Stirling Properties announces that after 36 years of service, President and CEO Marty Mayer will retire at the end of 2023. At that time, Stirling’s current President of Development and Partner, Townsend Underhill, will assume the role of President and CEO.
Since joining Stirling in 1986 and assuming the role of President in 2002 and CEO in 2006, Mayer has led Stirling through unprecedented growth, expansion, and diversification throughout the Gulf South.
“Leading Stirling Properties over the past 20 years has been one of the greatest honors and privileges of my lifetime,” Mayer stated. “I will be leaving Stirling with tremendous pride and satisfaction but also the utmost confidence in the company’s future and the great accomplishments yet to come.”
Townsend Underhill states, “Under Marty’s leadership, Stirling has grown and established a unique and outstanding culture, and it will be my top priority to ensure it continues in our organization. Marty’s legacy will live on at Stirling for many years. Our entire Organization is grateful for Marty’s visionary leadership, and we wish him the very best in this next chapter,”
“I am both humbled and honored to be asked to lead Stirling into the future by Marty and our fellow partners,” says Townsend Underhill. Since joining Stirling in 2007 and becoming a Partner in 2012, Townsend Underhill has been involved in most every facet of Stirling while overseeing the Development and Finance divisions. In Townsend’s current role as President of Development, Stirling’s product lines have diversified beyond retail and office to include healthcare, industrial, multi-family, single-family for rent, and more. “With Townsend as CEO and the extraordinary team in place, I am excited to see to what heights he leads Stirling into the next chapter,” stated Marty Mayer.
Over the next year, Mayer and Underhill, along with Stirling’s leadership team, will work together to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
