Stirling Properties Names Brad Stillwagon As New General Manager of Pan-American Life Center in New Orleans
Stirling Properties announces Brad Stillwagon as the new General Manager of the Pan-American Life Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. He will be stepping into the role upon the retirement of the building’s long-term General Manager, Nancy Rome.
Stillwagon has been with Stirling Properties since early 2019, serving as both an Asset and Property Manager of more than 2,000,000 square feet of retail, medical and office properties across the Gulf South. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Business Administration from Washington and Lee University and is actively involved in the W&L New Orleans Alumni Chapter. Stillwagon holds the designation of Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) and is active in the Louisiana CCIM Chapter. He is a Young Leader with CoreNet Global, a network of corporate real estate executives focused on the strategic real estate needs of Fortune 500 Companies, and is pursuing a Master of Corporate Real Estate with a specialization in Workplace Strategy (MCR.w).
Prior to joining Stirling Properties, Stillwagon served as Vice President – Real Estate Team Lead with Hancock Whitney Bank, where he worked in Asset and Transaction Management. He currently resides Uptown with his wife and three sons.
In addition to his General Manager duties, Stillwagon will continue to serve as the Asset Manager for many of Stirling Properties’ Southshore properties, including Mid-City Market, Offices at Mid-City Market, Magnolia Marketplace, Old Metairie Village and Oakridge Place.
“Stirling Properties is pleased to announce Brad Stillwagon as the new General Manager of the Pan-American Life Center. We have a great group of talented professionals and building engineers working closely with Brad to ensure a smooth transition. We are confident our team will continue to provide first-class service and support for the office tower and building tenants,” said Grady Brame, Executive Vice President with Stirling Properties. “We’re also excited about the remarkable renovations to the Pan-American Life Center that we believe uniquely positions it as one of a kind in the New Orleans CBD and enhances its long-term success.”
The Pan-American Life Center is recognized as one of New Orleans’ most prestigious office towers, boasting high-quality tenants in addition to housing the national and regional headquarters of many premier corporations. Built in 1980, the granite-clad, Class A trophy tower encompasses roughly 673,000 square feet of office and retail space, as well as an eight-story parking structure. Office tenants include Pan American Life Insurance Group, IBERIABANK, Morris Bart Law Offices, McGlinchey Stafford, Merrill Lynch and Stirling Properties. First-floor retail tenants include Smoothie King, Starbucks, Tsunami and IBERIABANK. Stirling Properties’ affiliates own the property and are the exclusive management and leasing agents for the Pan American Life Center.
Stirling Properties recently completed a $7 million redevelopment of the property, including a renovated café, state-of-the-art conference center and upgraded ground floor lobby to better position the building in the evolving office landscape.
Stirling Properties Announces Grand Opening of Chipotle at Hammond Square in Hammond, Louisiana
Shopping center nearing completion of multi-tenant retail redevelopment project.
Stirling Properties announces Chipotle Mexican Grill will celebrate its grand opening at Hammond Square shopping center on Thursday, August 27th. An official (socially distanced) grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held in partnership with the Greater Hammond Chamber of Commerce.
The new fast-casual restaurant specializes in build-your-own tacos, burritos, salads and bowls, and will feature a Chipotlane, the brand’s drive-thru mobile/digital order pick-up lane, where customers can retrieve pre-placed orders without leaving their car. Chipotle will be located on Hammond Square Drive near the entrance to the shopping center.
Five Guys restaurant will also occupy 2,450 square feet of space right next door to Chipotle and is expected to open in early October of this year.
Stirling Properties commercial real estate company is nearing completion on the $15 million multi-tenant redevelopment project at Hammond Square. Demolition of the former Sears and Rite Aid buildings was completed last year to make way for the new retailers.
Five Below and PetSmart opened in the shopping center earlier this year. Michaels, HomeGoods and Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux are also expected to join the tenant lineup with projected opening dates to be announced.
Rhonda Sharkawy, Senior Retail Leasing & Development Advisor with Stirling Properties, handled the lease transactions on behalf of the landlord.
Hammond Square is Tangipahoa Parish’s premier shopping destination, located on approximately 100 acres at the northwest corner of Interstate 12 and US Highway 51 Business (SW Railroad Avenue) in Hammond, Louisiana. It is the 2nd largest open-air center in Louisiana encompassing over 852,000-square-feet of more than 40 national and local retailers, shops and restaurants, including Dillard’s, Target, The Home Depot, JCPenney, Academy Sports+Outdoors, Best Buy, T.J.Maxx, ULTA Beauty, Books-A-Million and AMC Theatres. Stirling Properties redeveloped Hammond Square and currently manages and leases the center.
For more information on Hammond Square, visit www.hammondsquare.com or facebook.com/hammondsquare. For leasing and sales information, contact Rhonda Sharkawy at (504) 620-8145 or rsharkawy@stirlingprop.com.
New Tom Thumb Development Planned for The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama
Rendering courtesy of Stirling Properties/LK Architecture
Stirling Properties announces a new Tom Thumb development planned for The Wharf mixed-use property in Orange Beach, Alabama.
Tom Thumb recently purchased 3.94 acres of land located at the intersection of Canal Road and Wharf Parkway East in Orange Beach for the development of a Tom Thumb convenience store, gas pumps and car wash. Other planned improvements for the property will also incorporate a Burger King and Cinnabon. Construction is expected to commence soon.
Jeff Barnes, CCIM, Senior Advisor with Stirling Properties, represented the seller in the transaction. Lydia Franz, with Re/Max of Orange Beach, represented Tom Thumb.
Positioned on 222 acres along the south side of the Intracoastal Waterway in Orange Beach, Alabama, The Wharf is one of the most dynamic and inviting mixed-use destinations along the Gulf Coast. Consisting of more than 380,000 square feet of commercial lease space, the current mix of tenants includes retail shopping, entertainment, bar and restaurant options, office and professional services, a 15-screen movie theater, a 10,000-seat amphitheater, a 112′ Ferris wheel, residential condominiums, convention space, meeting facilities, a 170-slip marina, and a 132-room SpringHill Suites by Marriott. Sites and land for additional development and build-to-suit also exist.
For information about available real estate at The Wharf, contact Jeff Barnes, CCIM at (251) 375-2496 or jbarnes@stirlingprop.com.
So, what’s coming next for lenders and borrowers of CRE?
Commercial real estate today is extremely dynamic. Under “normal” circumstances, that is a positive thing, but in the context of the events over the last four months, dynamic is detrimental. There has been much discussion about accelerated uses of technology in the industry and how it will impact retail, office, hospitality, multi-family and industrial real estate sectors. We hear a lot about PPP funds, rent deferrals, omnichannel strategies, decentralized supply chains, working from home and creating healthy environments for employees and customers.
One issue, though, that to this point has been largely missed is the relationship between lenders and borrowers. Over the next few years, there will unquestionably be fallout from the aforementioned discussions that will ultimately put stress on the relationship between lender and borrower in the commercial real estate space. So, what’s coming, and how do we address it?
To look at the future, the first step is to understand the underlying issues of where we are today. In this Covid-19 landscape, the stress on businesses has significantly impacted landlords across the board. Forced closures by governing authorities, diminished foot traffic in retail, vacant hotels, lower utilization of office space and disrupted supply chains are all examples of issues that tenants have faced throughout the commercial real estate sector. Even in multi-family where tenancy has remained high, and rent collections stayed strong, there is a fear that once the stimulus provided by the Federal Government is no longer a factor, collections could become a massive issue.
The effects on lenders and borrowers will be felt across the board. If tenants can’t pay rent, which, in turn forces landlords to either seek relief from their lender or not perform on loan requirements, what happens next? For the few borrowers with deep enough pockets, they could attempt to pay penalties or cover debt service themselves, but at the expense of wiping away a lifetime of work and cash reserves. Furthermore, there is no guaranty that in six months or a year down the line, there will be enough tenants paying rent to stabilize the property and sustainably cover debt payments. Some tenants have continued to stay afloat, but how long can they hold on operating at reduced capacity, unable to get stable shipments of supplies or workers. And, how long can a landlord continue to float the debt service from reserves before they are gone altogether?
So far, most landlords and tenants have recognized their unique predicament and have tried diligently to work together to bridge the gap for survival. Still, as time goes on, this will become less tenable, and there will be fallout. The same issues will inevitably arise between the lender and borrower. We already see this in the CMBS segment of our market, where both sides have less leeway to work through cash flow issues. That said, the real stress has yet to be realized across the industry.
As the crisis continues—regardless of the pace of recovery—more commercial properties will certainly be impacted in both the short- and long-term. We anticipate a significant increase in distressed properties, which will go into servicing or foreclosure. As a result, investors and property owners will be left to sort through the chaos.
At Stirling Properties, we have begun working with lenders, servicers and property owners to strategize solutions for potential problems that continue to grow as loans rollover, values decrease and properties default. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the issues, our Lender Solutions Program can help.
We have created a platform that, regardless of the type of lender or borrower issues, can help to alleviate the stress. Stirling Properties has a proven track record of success working with all commercial property types to develop a plan and achieve the end goal. Whether it is to stabilize an asset for the current borrower, manage a property and process through foreclosure, or ultimately find the right purchaser through asset disposition, we have the experts to achieve the desired results.
If you are an investor, property owner or lender who needs assistance with valuation, asset and property management, development or disposition services, please reach out to us. Our experienced commercial advisors are knowledgeable in various property types and market segments.
Our Lender Solutions Program can help you determine the next steps. For more information, contact Chris Abadie at (985) 246-3721 or cabadie@stirlingprop.com.
President’s Message: Now What?
As we move beyond the initial shock and awe of the Coronavirus crisis, we in the commercial real estate industry begin considering “Now What?”
The pace of change in our business was moving at lightning speed even before the pandemic, with shifts in consumer and workplace behaviors, integration of technology, changing demographics. The pandemic only served to accelerate those changes to warp speed.
What will those impacts be? While none of us know exactly the long-term effects of this unprecedented situation (my crystal ball is still a bit foggy), those able to adjust and respond to the new landscape will find opportunities.
So, here are some of my observations as I sit here contemplating what’s to come.
Retail
- Open-air shopping centers primarily anchored by essential retailers like grocery, pharmacy and dollar stores are the winners and emerging stronger than ever. Enclosed malls, particularly B and C class with department store anchors, have seen an acceleration of their struggles.
- Online shopping surged during the pandemic and is still going strong, triggering increased behavioral trends such as BOPIS (buy online, pick-up in-store), curbside pick-up and delivery options—a direction we were headed in before.
- We will see an equilibrium point in e-commerce, and successful retailers will figure out how to marry online sales with storefronts and fulfillment centers. Those retailers that can successfully integrate online and brick and mortar will be the winners.
- Retailers will accelerate the depth and breadth of data mining of their customer base to drive more business into physical stores and improve upon convenience factors and delivery options.
- Creative restaurant operators will continue to find ways to expand take-out and delivery through innovative marketing, such as partnering with community associations for delivery options/pick-up stations within individual neighborhoods.
- Food kitchens offering delivery of various selections of meal options, like Asian, Italian, burgers, and salads all under one roof, will become increasingly more popular.
Supply chain and logistics
- Already one of the fastest-growing sectors before COVID was the distribution and logistics property type. Retailers, as well as many companies that depend upon the import of goods, saw a disruption in their supply chains during the pandemic, creating months-long backlogs of soft goods (remember toilet paper!), clothing, appliances, medical supplies (PPEs!), and even outdoor/sports equipment (bikes!).
- Businesses are going to diversify and expand their sourcing of goods and supplies, so as not to be dependent on one primary source, decreasing their risks of future interruption.
- The bright side is that we expect increased demand for manufacturing, storage and distribution facilities in the U.S., presenting more opportunities for development, as well as backfilling large blocks of space. This continuing trend bodes especially well here in the Gulf South region, where we have excellent logistical infrastructure in place, such as ports, air, rail and interstate systems.
Office
- The workplace landscape was already evolving pre-COVID; now, we see new, different twists on those existing trends.
- All companies will be pressed to reevaluate their long-term office needs and contemplate space decisions, with the health and safety of employees being paramount.
- Some permanent changes we can expect to continue in the office environment are distancing requirements, enhanced sanitation, reduced touchpoints, incorporation of more outdoor spaces, increased use of technology in place of meetings, and the adoption of more hybrid work environments balancing remote and in-office personnel.
- One winner in the office real estate sector will be the low-rise or garden office park setting, which will allow companies to control their environment, design safe floor plans and office layout for employees, and avoid dense, high-rise settings with crowded elevators.
- Some companies will be willing to pay more to get what they want, spurring an increase in demand for certain office types and opportunities for adaptive reuse and conversion of old retail space into office.
Investments
- Market turmoil usually creates opportunities to buy and sell. Those creative people who can sort through the challenges and prospects will be successful.
- Investor and property owners need to understand what will come out on the other side of this as more troubled, distressed and foreclosed properties inevitably hit the market—and more so, how do we value them? More thought will need to be given to analyze the risks and opportunities accurately.
- At Stirling Properties, we have begun working with local lenders to help strategize solutions for potential problems that continue to grow as loans rollover, values decrease and properties default.
The COVID-19 crisis has undoubtedly changed the commercial real estate industry and our businesses. Still, those who can adapt and evolve will be successful, especially if they have the right people in place to effectively see and execute.
Here at Stirling Properties, our team of skilled, experienced, professional advisors is well poised to assist our clients and investors in wading through these murky waters.
My crystal ball can’t precisely predict what will happen next. However, as it relates to Stirling Properties’ ability to weather this storm through our diversity, expansion of services for our clients, and extraordinary talent, the future is pretty clear.
Real estate scholarship fund established for Tulane University graduate students in New Orleans, Louisiana
Stirling Properties announces the Maurin Ogden Tulane Real Estate Fund, a new academic scholarship opportunity for Tulane University graduate students pursuing a real estate or related degree.
In partnership with Tulane University and ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) Foundation, the Maurin Ogden Tulane Real Estate Fund focuses on academic and professional development for graduate students enrolled in the A.B. Freeman School of Business and School of Architecture. Underwritten by Jimmy Maurin and Roger Ogden, founders of Stirling Properties, the new fund will distribute $10,000 a year for academic awards over the next ten years.
As part of the fund, one (1) $5,000 scholarship will be awarded each year for qualified tuition and related expenses. The scholarship recipient will also receive ICSC Student Membership and participation in the ICSC Mentorship Program specifically designed for emerging real estate professionals who are seeking to develop their careers and build relationships in the commercial real estate industry.
In addition, five (5) Conference Awards will be given annually for students, providing all-expense-paid attendance to ICSC RECon in Las Vegas, the world’s largest retail real estate convention, offering the students valuable exposure to industry leaders and potential employers.
Working with the ICSC Foundation, Stirling Properties has been actively involved in leading efforts to help create and maintain a pipeline of diverse and robust talent for the future of the commercial real estate industry. The company established a similar scholarship program at LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where it has been instrumental in introducing students to academic and career placement opportunities over the past several years.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity for us to invest in the future of our industry, while also supporting our local communities,” said Maurin. “We are thankful for ICSC’s partnership in helping us to expand this program to Tulane University students and build awareness for real estate among young people entering the job market. Our goal is to attract and develop the best and brightest talent pool for the commercial real estate industry—the next generation of leaders in our businesses.”
“Thank you to Stirling Properties’ founders, Jimmy Maurin and Roger Ogden, for their generosity and continued commitment to educational and professional development. The Maurin Ogden Tulane Real Estate Fund will create meaningful opportunities for students to connect with industry professionals, access valuable educational resources, and participate in experiential learning. As a recent graduate of the Tulane MBA program, I know how impactful this scholarship and partnership will be, and I am proud to now help with these efforts,” said John Woodard, Development Manager with Stirling Properties.
The Maurin Ogden Tulane Real Estate Fund is expected to be awarded this fall and will be established and administered by Tulane University according to its policies and procedures for non-endowed funds.
• UPDATE – Arabella at Dutchtown Apartments – Geismar, LA […]
