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 Expands Gulf South Presence with New Office in Mobile, Alabama
COVINGTON, LOUISIANA (OCTOBER 15, 2013) – Stirling Properties is pleased to announce the opening of a new office in downtown Mobile, Alabama at 182 St. Francis Street, Suite 101. As the company’s first location in Alabama, the office joins 11 other offices located in Louisiana and Mississippi to further strengthen Stirling Properties’ presence in the Gulf South.
“This office will not only serve the surging market and growing economy of Mobile, but also anchor the eastern side of the Interstate 10 corridor for Stirling Properties,” stated Marty Mayer, President and CEO of Stirling Properties.
Will Barrois is Stirling’s Vice President and Regional Manager of Alabama/Florida. Mr. Barrois will expand Stirling’s market presence by pursuing acquisitions of retail, office and multi-family properties, seeking new third party property management and brokerage assignments, exploring development and redevelopment opportunities, and building a top-tiered commercial brokerage team to serve Alabama and Florida.
“We are proud to be part of the growing commercial real estate market in the Gulf South. The future of Mobile is bright and the area is poised for tremendous growth,” said Will Barrois. “We’re looking forward to serving our clients throughout Alabama and Florida from our new Mobile office.”
For your commercial real estate needs in Alabama or Florida, contact Stirling Properties at the new Mobile office located at 182 St. Francis Street, Suite 101, Mobile, Alabama or call (251) 706-6457.
National Poll Shows Overwhelming Support for Online Sales Tax Collection at Time of Purchase
As a follow-up to one of my previous President’s Messages about the Marketplace Fairness Act, I wanted to comment about a recently conducted national poll by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).
The results of the poll show that the majority of American consumers (64%) are aware that they are required to pay state sales or use tax on online purchases, if not collected by the online seller, when they file their state income tax. However, other research indicates that over 98% don’t report such purchases. The poll also shows that 78% of voters feel it would be easier to pay state sales or use tax on online purchases at the time-of-purchase, rather than through special forms or when they file their state income taxes.
This poll is proof that the public is aware that this is NOT A NEW TAX, but rather one that isn’t being paid because it slips through the loopholes in the law. The current loophole is draining our state and local governments of desperately needed revenues for education, health care, police, firefighters and teacher pay, etc. Estimates of lost sales taxes in Louisiana alone due to internet sales range up to $800 million.
There is now overwhelming support for the collection of online sales tax at the time of purchase. We need to close this loophole NOW before it doubles in size.
You can read more about the poll results in this ICSC Press Release.
Stirling Properties’ Townsend Underhill Elected to Board of Directors for St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce
Stirling Properties is pleased to announce that Townsend Underhill, Senior Vice President of Development, has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce.
The Board of Directors is comprised of local business professionals who are passionate about smart growth and quality of life in West St. Tammany. The success of the Chamber is due in large part to the Board’s time, energy and willingness to voluntarily serve. Mr. Underhill will serve on the Board for the 2014-2016 term.
The Strength of the Gulf South
I wanted to share a PowerPoint I recently presented at a meeting highlighting the strength of the Gulf South. In recent years, the Gulf South has been gaining the Nation’s attention and rising to the top of many National Rankings. Activity in the Gulf South is driven by achievements in a variety of areas, must notably Energy/Oil & Gas Production, Chemical Processing, Aerospace, IT & Digital Media, the New Orleans BioDistrict and Coastal Restoration.
When you look at the entire picture of what is happening down here – from the LNG facilities in Lake Charles, Airbus in Mobile, the IBM announcement in Baton Rouge, the medical corridor in New Orleans, and the activity in the IT sector and coastal restoration – it is an amazing picture. Truly. Nowhere else in the country is this level of activity occurring.
Click the image below to view the presentation.
Stirling Properties and CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. Announce New Stores Coming to Fremaux Town Center
Fremaux Town Center (Progress as of August 31, 2013)
COVINGTON, LA and CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – September 5, 2013 – Stirling Properties and CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. (NYSE: CBL) announce the addition of five new national tenants to Phase I of Fremaux Town Center in Slidell, Louisiana. Phase I is approximately 295,000 square feet anchored by Kohl’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Best Buy, T.J.Maxx, and Michaels. Construction is moving along as scheduled with an anticipated opening of Spring 2014.
Joining the previously announced tenants are:
- Cheddar’s, an inviting neighborhood restaurant offering hand-made, high quality food at a reasonable price, will occupy 8,000 square feet. This will be Cheddar’s first Southeast Louisiana location.
- Kirkland’s, a leading specialty retailer of home décor, will occupy 7,000 square feet. This will be the retailer’s third location in St. Tammany Parish.
- Panera Bread, a bakery-café bringing the tradition of freshly baked artisan bread to neighborhoods in cities throughout the country, will occupy 5,000 square feet. This will be Panera Bread’s second St. Tammany location with a store already located in Covington.
- Carter’s, a leading brand of children’s clothing, gifts and accessories, will occupy 4,000 square feet. This marks the retailer’s first location in East St. Tammany.
- Massage Envy, the pioneer and national leader of affordable massage and spa services, will occupy 3,000 square feet. This will be the second St. Tammany Parish location for the retailer.
“We are excited to bring these highly regarded retailers to the Slidell market,” said Townsend Underhill, Stirling Properties’ Senior Vice President of Development. “Their commitment to this project demonstrates the quality of this development and the strength of our regional economy.”
“The addition of these new stores and restaurants will complement and enhance the existing line-up of great retail names,” said Michael Lebovitz, CBL’s EVP – Development and Administration. “Fremaux Town Center continues to receive strong demand and is sure to be a first-class retail destination for Slidell and the entire region.”
Once complete, the 80+ acre Fremaux Town Center will consist of two phases. Phase II will include up to 320,000 square feet of additional retail space anchored by Dillard’s and is scheduled to open in Spring 2015.
For leasing information, please contact Ryan Pecot by telephone at 337.572.0246 or by email at rpecot@stirlingprop.com or Rodney Gordon by telephone at 423.553.8704 or by email at rodney_gordon@cblproperties.com.
For information on available outparcels, please contact Ryan Pecot or Robert Snetman by telephone at 423.490.8333 or by email at robert_snetman@cblproperties.com
About Fremaux Town Center
Fremaux Town Center will be located on more than 80 acres at the southwest corner of Interstate 10 and Fremaux Avenue in Slidell, LA. Slidell is the largest municipality in St. Tammany Parish on the northern shore of Lake Pontchartrain near the city of New Orleans. With its interstate location and high-visibility, Fremaux Town Center is expected to become a regional destination. Currently under construction, Fremaux Town Center Phase I is scheduled to open Spring 2014 and will include retailers such as Kohl’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Best Buy, T.J.Maxx, Michaels, PetSMart, ULTA Beauty, Cheddar’s, dressbarn, Kirkland’s, Versona Accessories, Rack Room Shoes, Panera Bread, Lane Bryant, Carter’s and Massage Envy. Phase II will be anchored by Dillard’s and is scheduled to open Spring 2015. For updates on Fremaux Town Center “like” us at www.facebook.com/FremauxTownCenter.
About CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.
CBL is one of the largest and most active owners and developers of malls and shopping centers in the United States. CBL owns, holds interests in or manages 154 properties, including 93 regional malls/open-air centers. The properties are located in 31 states and total 89.3 million square feet including 9.3 million square feet of non-owned shopping centers managed for third parties. Headquartered in Chattanooga, TN, CBL has regional offices in Boston (Waltham), MA, Dallas (Irving), TX, and St. Louis, MO. Additional information can be found at cblproperties.com.
Rankin Bihm recently joined the Stirling Properties team as an […]
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