JCH Development and Stirling Properties Celebrate Grand Opening of Magnolia Marketplace
Today, Mayor Mitch Landrieu joined representatives from JCH Development and Stirling Properties to celebrate the Grand Opening of Magnolia Marketplace, a 106,000-square-foot shopping center located at the intersection of South Claiborne Avenue and Toledano Street in New Orleans’ Central City neighborhood. Councilwoman-At-Large Stacy Head, a representative from Councilwoman LaToya Cantrell’s office and other local officials were also in attendance.
“Magnolia Marketplace is further proof that New Orleans is building back better than before. This redevelopment is creating more jobs, strengthening our local economy and giving residents more retail options right here in the heart of New Orleans,” said Mayor Landrieu. “Magnolia Marketplace is also another example of a strong public-private partnership— celebrating the new way of doing business in New Orleans. The project will nicely complement the nearby Claiborne corridor and help spur activity and redevelopment across the city.”
The project was 100% pre-leased prior to the January 2014 groundbreaking. Open tenants at Magnolia Marketplace include: T.J.Maxx, Ross Dress For Less, PetSmart, Shoe Carnival, ULTA Beauty and Raising Cane’s. Michaels will open on March 20, 2015. The initial phase of Magnolia Marketplace included a 6,000-square-foot development located at the intersection of South Claiborne Avenue and Fourth Street that opened in 2014 and now houses Capital One Bank, Subway and T-Mobile.
“This grand opening is about creating jobs, attracting national retailers, improving quality of life, building economic momentum, and turning Claiborne into a regional commercial corridor,” said Councilmember LaToya Cantrell of District B. “I am excited to celebrate the grand opening of this venture and I believe that it is a sign of future development in this city.”
“This project is evidence of the resurgence of Central City and represents yet another important step in bringing additional retail to the city,” said Townsend Underhill, senior vice president of development for Stirling Properties. “We would like to thank the City of New Orleans and Mayor Landrieu’s Administration as well as the City Council, particularly councilmembers Latoya Cantrell and Stacy Head for being supportive in yet another project that signifies Stirling’s commitment to the City of New Orleans.”
During the ceremony, Tara Hernandez, president of JCH Development, unveiled the Toledano Art Wall, a mural painted by local artists Rontherin Ratliff and his team at YAYA Inc.; Brandan “Bmike” Odums; and, Ellen Macomber. It conveys a story of many historical elements and events from the Central City neighborhood to share some of the area’s proudest moments and accomplishments.
“We are proud to bring a dynamic new retail development to an underserved portion of the city,” said Hernandez.
Magnolia Marketplace is directly south of Harmony Oaks, a 460-unit, mixed-income residential development. The Marketplace will serve one of the city’s busiest corridors, with traffic counts exceeding 70,000 cars a day. Claiborne Avenue also provides a vital connection between Uptown New Orleans and the Central Business District.
These recent commercial projects are significant in light of a 2012 report by the New Orleans Business Alliance (NOLABA) that analyzed the retail spending of Orleans Parish residents. The report estimates that Orleans Parish loses $1.9 billion in retail sales to neighboring parishes and other U.S. cities each year. Since being founded in 2011, NOLABA has focused on attracting retail and development throughout New Orleans. In addition to facilitating smooth progression of the project, NOLABA performed an independent economic analysis on the development before it began.
“Our evaluation revealed that the Magnolia Marketplace development would benefit area residents, people who travel Claiborne Avenue and the City’s general fund through increased sales taxes, particularly because it attracted new national retailers to Orleans Parish,” said Melissa Ehlinger, interim president and CEO of NOLABA. “We always look for better than average returns on public investment, for impact that reaches New Orleanians at a variety of economic levels, and for projects that enhance the city’s attractiveness to future investment. Magnolia Marketplace serves up all of these.”
For more information about Magnolia Marketplace, contact Townsend Underhill at tunderhill@stirlingprop.com or 985-898-2022, or for leasing information contact Rhonda Sharkawy at rsharkawy@stirlingprop.com or 504-523-4481.
JCH Development and Stirling Properties Celebrate Groundbreaking of Magnolia Marketplace
Earlier today JCH Development, Stirling Properties, Mayor Mitch Landrieu, elected officials and other dignitaries commemorated the groundbreaking of Magnolia Marketplace, a 106,000 square-foot shopping center located in New Orleans, LA at the intersection of South Claiborne Avenue and Toledano Street.
“We are proud to bring a dynamic new retail development to an underserved portion of Central City. This development will bring a formerly vacant and blighted piece of property in the City of New Orleans back to commerce”, stated Tara Hernandez, President of JCH Development.
“Magnolia Marketplace is further proof that New Orleans is on a retail roll,” said Mayor Mitch Landrieu. “This project represents economic growth, jobs and opportunities and more retail options for an underserved community. Projects like this are why people are looking at New Orleans as a model for economic revival and urban renewal.”
Tenants scheduled to open in spring 2015 are Ross Dress For Less, T.J.Maxx, Michaels, PetSmart, Shoe Carnival, ULTA Beauty and Raising Cane’s. The project is 100% pre-leased. Previously announced was the 6,000 square foot initial phase of Magnolia Marketplace development located at the intersection of South Claiborne Avenue and Fourth Street. Capital One Bank is currently open in that building. T-Mobile and Subway are slated to open in early 2014.
“This project embodies the strength of the New Orleans recovery and represents yet another important step in bringing retail back to the city,” stated Townsend Underhill, Senior Vice President of Development. “We are excited to be moving forward with Magnolia Marketplace, another project that signifies Stirling’s commitment to the City of New Orleans.”
Stirling’s recent projects in New Orleans include Mid-City Market, a 108,000 square-foot Winn-Dixie anchored shopping center located at North Carrollton Avenue and Bienville Street, as well as the full renovation of the former American Legion building located on Magazine Street into a new 13,000 square foot Walgreens Marquee Store. Since 2011, Stirling Properties has invested over $120 million in the City New Orleans.
JCH Development’s most recent project is the conversion of the former Blue Plate manufacturing facility into the Blue Plate Artist Lofts, 72 residential lofts, on South Jefferson Davis Pkwy.
For more information, contact Townsend Underhill at tunderhill@stirlingprop.com or 985-898-2022, or for leasing information contact Rhonda Sharkawy at rsharkawy@stirlingprop.com or 504-523-4481.
Stirling Properties and JCH Development Complete Acquisition for Land to Develop Shopping Center in New Orleans
Stirling Properties and JCH Development are pleased to announce the closing of the land acquisition and development financing for Magnolia Marketplace, a 106,000 square-foot shopping center located in New Orleans, LA at the intersection of South Claiborne Avenue and Toledano Street. First NBC Bank of New Orleans provided financing for the project.
“This project required a true partnership and we are excited to be a part of providing new jobs and economic opportunities to the residents, neighborhood, DBE businesses and the City of New Orleans. We are truly grateful for the support and collaboration on this project with the Mayor’s office, the City Council, and the Community, without which this project would not have been possible”, stated Townsend Underhill, Senior Vice President of Development for Stirling Properties.
“We are proud to bring a dynamic new retail development to an underserved portion of Central City. This development will bring a formerly vacant and blighted piece of property in the City of New Orleans back to commerce”, stated Tara Hernandez, President of JCH Development.
Stirling and JCH previously announced the 6,000 square foot initial phase of the Magnolia Marketplace development located at the intersection of South Claiborne Avenue and Fourth Street. Capital One Bank is currently open in that building. T-Mobile and a proposed national sandwich shop are slated to open in early 2014.
Tenants scheduled to open in spring 2015 are Ross Dress For Less, T.J.Maxx, Michaels, PetSmart, Shoe Carnival, ULTA Beauty and Raising Cane’s. The project is 100% pre-leased. The Developers expect to break ground on the project this coming January.
Stirling’s recent projects in New Orleans include Mid-City Market, a 108,000 square-foot Winn-Dixie anchored shopping center located at North Carrollton Avenue and Bienville Street, as well as the full renovation of the former American Legion building located on Magazine Street into a new 13,000 square foot Walgreens Marquee Store. Since 2011, Stirling Properties has invested over $120 million in the City New Orleans.
JCH Development’s most recent project is the conversion of the former Blue Plate manufacturing facility into the Blue Plate Artist Lofts, 72 residential lofts, on South Jefferson Davis Pkwy.
For more information, contact Townsend Underhill at tunderhill@stirlingprop.com or 985-898-2022, or for leasing information contact Rhonda Sharkawy at rsharkawy@stirlingprop.comor 504-523-4481.
New Orleans Retail is on the Rise
Mark Twain once quipped “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it does rhyme”. The Crescent City has been America’s boomtown before, but this time, something is different. Aided by tech, medical and digital media job growth, infrastructure improvements, rising tourism and political reform, the City has become a magnet for young educated professionals, and retailers have noticed.
Selected New Orleans Rankings
In recent history, aging infrastructure and crime crippled economic development. While Hurricanes Katrina and Rita were physically devastating to the region, they also uncovered social and political issues that needed to be rectified. Federal funds flowed to improve infrastructure. With that came oversight and political reform. The private sector rolled up their sleeves and made bold choices to invest in the city and its unique culture.
Together this created a higher demand than the current supply of Retail can absorb. As reported by The New Orleans Business Alliance, the city currently is losing $1.9 Billion in retail sales annually to neighboring parishes where traditional retail development has flourished. While some sections of the city still are recovering, the city’s core has experienced a great demand for development and re-development. “New Orleans was once considered a market that offered the worst to retailers. Today retailer activity and interest are at an all-time high,” stated Townsend Underhill, Senior Vice President at Stirling Properties.
Luxury retail is on the rise. The Shops at Canal Place, anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue, has experienced double digit sales growth in each of the last four years. Recent openings include J. Crew, Allen Edmonds, Michael Kors and Lululemon, with Tiffany and Company slated to open in November. “It is clear that New Orleans is experiencing nothing short of a Renaissance,” stated Brandon Berger of The Berger Company, owner of Canal Place. “Canal Place is well positioned as the only Luxury Mall between Houston and Atlanta. The higher end the item the retailer carries, the higher their sales volume.” In addition H&M will open a 32,000 square-foot French Quarter location in late October, their first in the United States outside of New York and Boston to offer home goods as well as soft goods.
The Outlet Collection at the Riverwalk – Rendering
The Outlet Collection at the Riverwalk, an upscale outlet center downtown near the French Quarter and Warehouse district, is scheduled to open in 2014. At 250,000 square feet, it will serve both locals and tourists and is billed as the only Outlet Center in a downtown setting in the U.S. Mark Bulmash, Vice President of Development at the Howard Hughes Corporation and Developer at Riverwalk added, “A few years ago, retailers would ask the question, ‘Why New Orleans?’ Today the question is, ‘Why aren’t we in New Orleans?’”
South Market District – Rendering
The Warehouse District in the CBD has transformed from blighted space into a vibrant neighborhood. The 40,000 square-foot Rouses Grocery opened in 2011 and was influential in making the area a true neighborhood. While condominium conversion is still underway, new construction mixed-use projects are also taking shape. The South Market District by the Domain Companies is under construction. Phase I will open late 2014 featuring 209 residential units and 22,000 square feet of Retail. Once complete, the project will include over 600 residential units and 170,000 square feet of retail located along the streetcar line and walkable from downtown Class A office buildings and the Superdome.
Mid-City Market
The 107,000 square foot Mid-City Market developed by Stirling Properties opened in July. Anchored by Winn Dixie, the site marks the entry into New Orleans for some notable restaurant chains like Panera Bread, Pei Wei, and Five Guys, and filled the void for much needed goods and services in the Mid-City neighborhood. Whole Foods will enter Mid-City as well with a store currently under construction on Broad Street that will mark their third location in the New Orleans metro.
Big box stores and Jr. Anchors that traditionally were kept out of the city for lack of developable land have found a limited opportunity to penetrate the market. Costco has completed its first Louisiana location with a 148,000 square foot store located near the population center. Wal-Mart has two Supercenters under construction in Gentilly and New Orleans East, 110,000 square feet and 180,000 square feet respectively. Magnolia Marketplace, scheduled to break ground in January 2014, will be the only true Power Center on the Eastbank of New Orleans and will offer Jr. Anchors the chance to gain access to the local market for the first time.
Development projects in virtually all areas of the city will allow retailers to penetrate a market previously thought impenetrable. Additional growth of mixed-use and street retail projects will offer more opportunities for the growing retail sector and will cater to the urban population and tourists. From luxury to discount, retail is hot in New Orleans and investors, lenders, developers and retailers are working hard to gain a presence.
This article was submitted to Southeast Real Estate Business magazine. An edited version appeared in the October 2013, Volume 14, Issue 7 print edition.
Stirling Properties & JCH Development to Develop Magnolia Marketplace Shopping Center in New Orleans, La.
Stirling Properties and JCH Development today announced the joint venture to develop Magnolia Marketplace Shopping Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Construction will begin with the first building in the center, a 6,000 square foot building, with a 3,000 square foot Capital One bank branch. The Central City shopping center will be located at the intersection of South Claiborne Avenue and Fourth Street, adjacent to the larger future phases of the Magnolia Marketplace Shopping Center.
“We are proud to bring a high quality development to a severely underserved portion of the Claiborne corridor and return yet another vacant and blighted property in the City to commerce”, said Jordi Goodman, Development Manager for Stirling Properties.
“Our team is excited to introduce new services and shopping experiences, in a location that is accessible to the neighborhood as well as to all of New Orleans’ residents” said Tara Hernandez, President of JCH Development.
The 6,000 square foot center will serve as a catalyst to future development along the Claiborne corridor and will precede the balance of the Magnolia Marketplace Development located at South Claiborne and Toledano Streets slated for commencement in fall of 2013. Once completed the center will be 138,000 total square feet. Stirling and JCH have secured leases for 108,000 square feet with established national retail tenants. Stirling is currently in negotiation with tenants for the remaining spaces in the center and other tenant announcements will be forthcoming.
For more information, contact Jordi Goodman at jgoodman@stirlingprop.com or 985-898-2022, or for leasing information contact Rhonda Sharkawy at rsharkawy@stirlingprop.com or 504-523-4481.
