Stirling Properties Welcomes Johnny Tolson to the Lafayette Team
Stirling Properties is pleased to announce the addition of Johnny Tolson to the Commercial Brokerage Division as Sales and Leasing Executive. Johnny will work from the company’s Lafayette, LA office located at 1819 W. Pinhook Road, Suite 200.
Mr. Tolson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics as well as a minor in Business and Communications from the University of Arkansas where he was a member of the baseball team. He was also an active member of Phi Theta Kappa, the Leaders on Campus Program, FCA, and involved in philanthropy work through Salvation Army and Samaritans Purse. During his college tenure, Mr. Tolson received the H.M. Ivy Scholarship, Circle of Excellence award, Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities, was an Academic All-American and earned First Team All-Conference and First Team All-Region All Region honors in baseball in 2012.
Representing both Landlord and Tenant needs, Mr. Tolson has gained knowledge and experience in many facets of the industry, including retail, industrial, office and specific site selection work.
Mr. Tolson is currently a member of the Realtors Commercial Alliance (RCA) and the Retail Brokers Network (RBN). He can be reached at 337-572-0275 or via email at jtolson@stirlingprop.com.
Gulf South Investment Sales
Investment Sales remain a hot segment of the Commercial Real Estate Market in the Gulf South and opportunities continue to present themselves. A strong 2014 has bled over and the pattern is expected to continue.
Historically, local investors were hot on Louisiana, Mississippi and South Alabama earning slightly higher returns than most of the country. National and international investors viewed these markets as “risky” and, while considering properties in Texas and Florida, the Gulf South was too often overlooked, shrinking the buying pool.
In the past several years, that has all changed. Perception is reality, and here in the Gulf South is no exception. Low interest rates coupled with economic indicators stronger than national averages during the economic downturn grabbed the attention of investors from around the country. This led to increased activity from national investors who began seeing the opportunity that exists in these markets.
Six months ago some were asking “will lower oil prices impact the economic fundamentals in this market” and “will that impact pricing” in the Gulf South? The answers are yes and no. Yes, the energy sector does play a part in the economy. No, it has not affected pricing any more than in any other part of the country. Twenty years ago, these answers would not have been the same. Today, the economy of the Gulf South is more diverse than ever with rises in manufacturing, healthcare, technology and tourism making it more stable and attractive to investors. Gone are the days when the Gulf South economy relied so heavily on the energy sector.
Today, instead of overlooking the Gulf South, national investors are seeking out opportunities and considering properties within these markets as comparable to those of other similar markets around the country. While this may not seem to be an accomplishment, it is the first time in decades that these markets have competed on a national stage.
The continued low interest rate environment has caused many Gulf South owners to reconsider selling properties that they may not have in the past. While the so-called “bargains” of a few years ago are not as prevalent and several 2014 sales were done at all-time low cap rates, interest in acquisitions in the Gulf South remains very strong.
In 2014, Stirling Properties closed over $120 million in Investment Sales and is projecting similar numbers in 2015. Our knowledge of the Gulf South, comprehensive in-house brokerage services and proven track record of buying and selling investment properties positions us as the regional industry leaders for investment sales.
Stirling Properties’ Will Barrois Appointed to the Advisory Board of Trustees of the Alabama Center for Real Estate
Stirling Properties is pleased to announce that Will Barrois, Vice President/Regional Manager of Alabama and Florida, has been appointed as an Industry-Specific member of the Advisory Board of Trustees of the Alabama Center for Real Estate. Mr. Barrois was appointed by the University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Commerce, the Alabama Association of Realtors and the Alabama Real Estate Commission. The appointment is for a two-year term effective through December 31, 2016.
Stirling Properties Awarded Leasing Contract for Spanish Fort Town Center in Spanish Fort, Alabama
Stirling Properties has been awarded a contract to provide leasing services for Spanish Fort Town Center, a 447,748 square-foot mixed-use development, located in Spanish Fort, Alabama.
Totaling more than 230-acres at the intersection of Interstate 10 and Highway 90/98, Spanish Fort Town Center is anchored by Bass Pro Shops, JCPenney and Kohl’s. The site also features a Wells Fargo Bank, two Marriot hotels, retail and a restaurant. In addition to a new 3.5-acre community park, this prime location continues to undergo additional enhancements to match the sites superior access, interstate visibility and the highest traffic count in Baldwin County.
For information about available leasing opportunities, contact Jeff Barnes jbarnes@stirlingprop.com or 251-375-2496 or Angie McArthur amcarthur@stirlingprop.com or 251-375-2481.
Spanish Fort Town Center is owned and managed by Cypress Equities (Cypress). Cypress was founded in 1995 and has since established a national reputation synonymous with the premier development, operation and management of destination-class retail and mixed-use properties throughout the United States.
New Stores Coming to Phase II of Fremaux Town Center in Slidell, Louisiana
Stirling Properties and CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. (NYSE: CBL) officially announce twelve additional new tenants coming to Fremaux Town Center in Slidell, Louisiana. Anchored by a 128,000 square-foot Dillard’s, the second phase of this development will include approximately 285,000 square feet of additional retail space, including previously announced tenants Red Robin, Zales, Francesca’s and Aveda. Construction is moving along as scheduled with a planned opening of Phase II this October.
Joining the previously announced tenants are:
- Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse – 17,024 Square Feet
- Forever 21 Red – 16,900 Square Feet
- Pier 1 Imports – 9,000 Square Feet
- Victoria’s Secret – 7,226 Square Feet
- Buckle – 5,000 Square Feet
- Charlotte Russe – 5,000 Square Feet
- LOFT – 4,905 Square Feet
- Bath & Body Works – 3,090 Square Feet
- Torrid – 2,800 Square Feet
- Journeys – 2,175 Square Feet
- Claire’s – 1,204 Square Feet
- Which Wich – 1,267 Square Feet
Currently 100% leased and occupied, Phase I of Fremaux Town Center opened in March 2014 with approximately 350,000 square feet of retail anchored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, Michaels, T.J.Maxx, Kohl’s and LA Fitness. Located on more than 80 acres at the southwest corner of Interstate 10 and Fremaux Avenue in Slidell, Fremaux Town Center will be roughly 635,000 square feet upon completion. With its interstate location and high-visibility, Fremaux Town Center is expected to become a regional shopping destination.
For leasing information, please contact Ryan Pecot at 337-572-0246 or email at rpecot@stirlingprop.com; Rodney Gordon at 423-553-8704 or email at rodney_gordon@cblproperties.com or Tim Gilmore at 423-490-8358 or email at tim_gilmore@cblproperties.com.
Stirling Properties and CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. Celebrate Groundbreaking of Ambassador Town Center in Lafayette, Louisiana
Earlier today Stirling Properties, CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. (NYSE: CBL), City/Parish President Joey Durel and other dignitaries commemorated the groundbreaking of Ambassador Town Center, an approximately 425,000 square-foot shopping center anchored by Costco Wholesale. Other major retailers include, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Field & Stream, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Nordstrom Rack, Off Broadway Shoes, Chuy’s, Panera Bread, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, World of Beer and Blaze Pizza. Most of the retailers committed to the project are either first-time locations within Lafayette or Louisiana, or both. The 58-acre site is located at the corner of Ambassador Caffery Parkway and Kaliste Saloom Road. Construction began this month with a projected opening of March 2016.
“Stirling Properties is excited about our partnership with CBL to develop Ambassador Town Center and believes that this joint venture brings the best possible team together to build this project,” said Stirling Properties’ Senior Vice President of Development Townsend Underhill. “We know this site to be an excellent location for a retail development in this market and we are happy to continue our long and successful development history in the City of Lafayette.”
“Ambassador Town Center is well-located and has attracted a best-in-class retail line-up even before construction commenced,” said Michael Lebovitz, CBL’s Executive Vice President – Development and Administration. “We are pleased to partner with Stirling Properties on this project and are looking forward to announcing additional retailers as the development progresses.”
Ambassador Town Center is expected to create approximately 2,200 construction jobs, 1,000 permanent jobs and generate nearly $9 million annually in sales taxes for the City of Lafayette.
“This project is a sign of Lafayette’s strong economy and our willingness to work with the private sector for needed infrastructure in our community,” stated Joey Durel, Lafayette City-Parish President. “Retailers like those that have committed will be a regional draw for Lafayette, and the public infrastructure that will be built with this project, providing a route parallel to Ambassador Caffery, is necessary for one of the fastest growing areas in the state of Louisiana. Companies make decisions on where to locate based on long-term projections. This decision says that they have confidence in the future of our area.”
“This investment is a reflection of Lafayette’s economic strength and success over the past 15 years. It’s undeniable that entertainment sector, including retail, is one of the pillars of Lafayette’s economic base. Entertainment contributed $2.4 billion to Lafayette’s GDP in 2012; and over the past 10 years the entertainment sector’s GDP has grown 62 percent,” states Gregg Gothreaux, President and CEO of Lafayette Economic Development Authority. “The Ambassador Town Center development will be a shopping destination, not only for local residents but for the region, magnifiying its economic impact.”
For leasing information, please contact: Ryan Pecot, 337.572.0246 or rpecot@stirlingprop.com, or Rodney Gordon, 423.553.8704 or rodney.gordon@cblproperties.com.
