Maciel’s opens new location as Highland Strip continues growth

February 21, 2018 LPI Memphis

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Could the Highland Strip be the “new Beale Street?” Some say it may be on the way.

The recent opening of Maciel’s Tortas and Tacos at 525 S. Highland Street last weekend is just one example of the growth happening there.

Ryan Haskett, a frequent visitor to the Strip and regular DJ and performer at The Bluff, says good things are happening on the Strip.

“I think that Highland Strip is booming. I think this is the new Beale Street of Memphis. We have a ton of new businesses that are opening,” Haskett said.

The row of early 20th-century storefronts near the University of Memphis has gone through ups and downs since it became popular with college students in the late 1960s.

But for the past couple of years, it has been the scene of a major renovation effort by owner Loeb Properties, which also redeveloped Overton Square.

Watch more on WREG

New Mural Installed on the Highland Strip

October 17, 2017 LPI Memphis

A new mural of a blue-eyed, lifelike tiger has been installed on the Highland Strip near the University of Memphis.

The mural, Tiger Eye, was designed by the Loeb Properties team and installed over several days by SignWorks Memphis.

Using a special technique, the team installed the mural by using a heat-gun application which stretched the printed material over the wall, sticking it to the brick and mortar.

"The dramatic visual element celebrates the University of Memphis Tigers and reflects the community spirit of the university neighborhood," Loeb officials said in a press release.

U of M president, David Rudd approves, calling the mural "imposing, striking and well done" in a tweet on Sunday.

Pottery Studio/Coffee House to Open on Highland Strip

August 29, 2017 LPI Memphis

Belltower Artisans, a pottery studio and coffee shop founded in 2016 by college students Micah Dempsey and Christopher Galbreath, has inked a deal to move into a 2,788-square-foot space in the Highland Strip.

Aaron Petree represented landlord Loeb Properties Inc. in the deal.

Belltower Artisans offers a full range of pottery classes, from “Date Night” classes to multi-week beginner, intermediate and advanced level courses.

Dempsey and Galbreath first met in art class while attending Harding Academy, where they were studying pottery making. Eventually the pair opened their first location in Minglewood Hall, before deciding to relocate to the Highland Strip to be nearer to the University of Memphis.

Bruster’s Highlights Highland Strip Growth

July 7, 2017 LPI Memphis

When a small record shop called Pop-I’s opened in late 1960s, it helped spark the transformation of a mundane neighborhood shopping center near the University of Memphis into a popular entertainment destination for students.

And while it has seen its share of ups and downs over the past half-century, the Highland Strip and the surrounding area is firing on all cylinders now – thanks in part to the revitalization efforts of current owners Loeb Properties, which just linked a lease with the strip’s newest tenant, Bruster’s Real Ice Cream.

“Basically I pushed them to this location because they have the size and space, and I think what Loeb is doing there is tremendous,” said Harold Blockman with Keller Williams Realty, who represented Bruster’s in the deal. “It’s really come around and there are a lot of good things going on here.”

Stoners, Rejoice! Cookie Delivery Service Coming to Highland Strip

October 17, 2016 LPI Memphis

Loeb Properties announced today that Insomnia Cookies, a company specializing in cookie and ice cream home delivery, will set up shop on the Highland Strip between Newby's and the upcoming Petra Cafe. Insomnia Cookies will offer delivery between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m..

According to multiple sources, several demurred, sleepy responses of, "Sweeeeet" could be heard from various students at the University of Memphis as word of the cookie chain's impending arrival traveled around campus.

Mediterranean restaurant opening near U of M

October 12, 2016 LPI Memphis

A Mediterranean restaurant is the latest tenant headed to the Highland Strip.

Petra Cafe signed a lease for 1,000 square feet of space at 547 S. Highland St. Construction on the build-out will begin soon, and the restaurant should open in early 2017.

“We are just excited that the Highland Strip is filling up with a great variety of tenants that we feel will not only serve the student populations, but also the residents in the area,” said Ciara Neill, director of marketing for Loeb Properties.

The buildings that comprise the Highland Strip – which technically span from The Bluff, a music venue and Cajun-inspired restaurant at 535 S. Highland St., to iCon Clothing at 575 S. Highland St. – are owned by Loeb Properties. Four tenant bays are still available for lease, including: 551 S. Highland St., with 3,400 square feet; 549 S. Highland St., with 2,800 square feet; 565 S. Highland St., with 1,200 square feet; and 571 S. Highland St., with 1,300 square feet.

Improvements are Coming to the Highland Strip

September 22, 2016 LPI Memphis

The University of Memphis is supporting an application by the University Neighborhoods Development Corporation that would improve the areas along the Highland Strip.

“It’s kind of dodgy,” sophomore Maya Benson said. “As you go on the other side of Highland and Southern, things get sketchy.”

The areas surrounding the university are full of empty lots and sidewalks that have fallen into disrepair. Some students agree the area would benefit from a facelift while others do not believe it’s decrepit or dangerous.

“It could definitely be better,” junior sports and leisure management major Stephen Rose said. “But they’re getting it where it needs to be.”

UNDC proposes that the redevelopment would attract new businesses and industries, which would increase property value and economic activity. Increased property taxes from such activity would fund future improvements to the university area with the remainder of the taxes going to the city and county.

New Restaurants Coming to the Highland Strip

September 19, 2016 LPI Memphis

Vacant lots and empty structures currently dot the Highland Strip. Buildings sit uninhabited and sidewalks have fallen into disrepair.

“They could put more stores aimed at college students and clean it up,” Katheryne Wilkerson, sophomore pre-nursing major, said.

The University of Memphis recently supported an application by the University Neighborhoods Development Corporation to utilize tax revenue for improvements to the Highland Strip.

Some of the vacant lots will soon be filled with new restaurants including a fast-casual burger joint, a bakery that delivers cookies until 3 a.m. and a new music venue.

“That might be pretty good,” Wilkerson said. “That would bring revenue and attract college students.”

Some students think the new businesses will attract new people and sophomore education major Parker Payne said it will “diversify the area.”

Israeli-Based Mini-Burger Chain Coming to Highland Strip

September 15, 2016 LPI Memphis

An Israeli-based chain of restaurants that features small, "gourmet'' hamburgers is coming to the Highland Strip, landlord Loeb Properties announced Thursday.

Burgerim will start construction inside 569 South Highland later this year. Loeb Properties is renovating and redeveloping the Highland Strip entertainment district in the University District.

According to the Burgerim website, the restaurant uses an "always more than one" approach to serving hamburgers from freshly ground meat. Each is 2.8 ounces, and they come in orders of two of the mini-burgers, three or a "party box'' of 16.

Forget Big 12, Memphis May be in Running for College Cookies

September 14, 2016 LPI Memphis

There's about 90 of them in the U.S., including one on Cumberland Avenue in Knoxville, on Lamar in Oxford, on Cotton Mill in Starkville, on Chimes in Baton Rouge, on 11th in Birmingham, on University in Tuscaloosa, and on Hardy in Hattiesburg.

And now Insomnia Cookies has filed for a building permit that indicates possible plans to locate at 545 S. Highland on the Highland Strip.

That site cozies up to the University of Memphis just like those other Insomnia Cookies operate near the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, University of Mississippi, Mississippi State, LSU, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Alabama and University of Southern Mississippi.

Land Bridge Project Could Transform Entire University of Memphis Area

July 23, 2016 LPI Memphis

The official planning phase has begun for the much anticipated $33 million University of Memphis land bridge, which will safely connect two sides of the university that are currently split by the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks and Southern Avenue.

The official kick-off meeting with Haizlip Studio, the architects chosen for the project, happened in early July and the project is estimated to be finished in 2019, said Mary Haizlip, AIA, principal in charge of management at Haizlip Studio.

Haizlip Studio also was the architect for the new University Center, which will be adjacent to the land bridge.

Behind the Headlines: University Neighborhood Development Corporation

July 11, 2016 LPI Memphis

Host Eric Barnes talks with guests each week about the top news stories affecting the Mid-South. In today's Behind the Headlines, Mr. Barnes interviews a panel of experts on the University Neighborhood Development Corporation- including Matt Prince, Senior Vice President of Brokerage and Development at Loeb Properties.

Watch at WKNO

Loeb's Vision of Highland a 'Playground' for University Area

June 13, 2016 LPI Memphis

"Loeb Properties has become almost synonymous with the word 'revitalization' in the Memphis commercial real estate sector. His current project — the Highland Strip."

See Inside: The Bluff on the Highland Strip

May 28, 2016 LPI Memphis

"Extreme makeover Highland Strip edition is in full swing, and one of its future tenants plans to bring a piece of the Big Easy to the Bluff City.

In April, news broke that a new music venue and Cajun-inspired restaurant titled The Bluff had signed a lease at 535 S. Highland St., and now the owners are serving up their plans."

Loeb Properties Looking to Develop Highland Strip

May 18, 2016 LPI Memphis

"Loeb Properties, the commercial real estate and property management company that revitalized Overton Square, is taking on a new area of town.

The Highland Strip, in the heart of the U of M area, is where representatives with the company are hoping to breathe new life. Representatives said they have renovated some of the existing buildings. They have added the fireball exhibit, right next to Newby's, and they plan to add more public art.

Business owners on the strip are happy to see renovations and changes on the block."

Watch & read the full story at Local Memphis

The Bluff to bring live music, restaurant to Highland Strip

April 5, 2016 LPI Memphis

"A new music venue and restaurant called The Bluff is coming to the rejuvenated Highland Strip.

Remodeling of the 5,952 square feet at 535 S. Highland should start within a month, landlord Loeb Properties announced Monday.

The Bluff will include two downstairs bars, a large stage and green room, a 1,300-square-foot mezzanine with an additional bar, outdoor patio seating next to the stage, and another patio facing Highland that offers an outdoor/indoor atmosphere. The Bluff will have entrances on Highland and in the rear closer to the renovated, back parking lot.

Among The Bluff owners are Hudson Chadwick, who owns Rafters Music and Food and The Corner Bar in Oxford, Mississippi.

"The venue will feature live music including country and rock-and-roll acts appealing to nearby University of Memphis students and Memphis residents alike while also offering a great place to watch sporting events on the multiple televisions and projectors,'' states a release by Loeb Properties."

Giant 'Highland Strip' sign comes to district near U of M

April 5, 2016 LPI Memphis

"For anyone standing or driving by Highland Street at Walker Avenue, there should no longer be any mistaking what commercial district they're in.

A sign proclaiming the "Highland Strip'' now stands in bright red letters that are 6 feet high, 77 feet long and mounted high on the rooftop of the tight row of commercial buildings long known as a hangout for University of Memphis students.

And for the record, the font is slightly modified copperplate gothic.

Loeb Properties had Frank Balton Sign Co. install the letters on Friday. Loeb owns the two buildings underneath -- Whatever smoke shop and another space available for lease -- as well as other buildings the company has purchased on the Strip and in the University District over the past two years.

Neon outlines the inside edge of the letters, poised to be illuminated at night. "I can't wait to see it lit,'' said Rachelle Cordova, who as general manager of the Domino's Pizza across Highland from the sign, may be seeing the sign more than anyone else."

High Ground News: Loeb Ups Ante in University District

January 6, 2015 LPI Memphis

"Memphians may not have to graduate from Newby's after all. Venerable Memphis developer Loeb Properties Inc.has expanded its retail portfolio with the purchase of the recently shuttered Newby’s bar and music venue on the Highland Strip.

Loeb, operating as Highland University District LLC, paid $450,000 for the two adjacent properties at 535 and 539 S. Highland St. Built in 1927, the properties total a combined 10,200 square feet, according to Shelby County Assessor of Property data. Paragon Bank foreclosed on the buildings in July 2014.

Loeb Properties president Bob Loeb said a record amount of public and private investment in the University of Memphis district prompted his company's interest in Newby's."