MOBILE, Ala. — A home services contractor is moving its headquarters, a mahjong club is setting up shop in a historic Midtown landmark, and a wing restaurant is adding a drive-thru location in the latest round of commercial real estate deals across Mobile and Baldwin counties.
The biggest lease in the recent batch belongs to Hansen Super Techs, which has taken 23,000 square feet at 5640 Commerce Blvd. in Mobile. Other deals include new retail space for a jewelry store and a soap shop, plus two development proposals on the Baldwin County coast.
Here is a closer look at the commercial real estate activity.
Hansen Super Techs leases 23,000 square feet for main office
Hansen Super Techs, which provides heating and air conditioning, plumbing and electrical services for homes and businesses, has leased 23,000 square feet at 5640 Commerce Blvd. in Mobile. The company plans to use the space as its main office.
Pete Riehm of CRE Mobile represented the landlord. Vallas Realty represented the tenant.
The company has operated from an office on Cameron Street in Mobile. According to its website, Hansen serves customers across the region, including Mobile, Theodore, Daphne, Spanish Fort, Fairhope, Foley, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Bay Minette and Summerdale.
Along with HVAC, plumbing and electrical work, the company offers air quality testing, duct sealing, attic insulation and generator services, and advertises round-the-clock availability.
Dots & Dragons Mahjong heads to the Blue Bird Hardware building
Dots & Dragons Mahjong has leased 4,038 square feet in the Blue Bird Hardware building at 2724 Old Shell Road in Mobile.
The business plans to offer free play, tournaments and leagues, along with retail items tied to the tile game. Mahjong has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, with clubs, lessons and league play drawing new players across the country.
Jay O’Brien of Stirling represented the landlord. Jeremy Milling of MCR represented the tenant.
The new tenant will occupy a building with deep roots in Midtown Mobile. Blue Bird Hardware and Seed opened in 1955 as an agricultural supply store, when the surrounding area was still largely rural. The midcentury modern building was renovated in 2017 to house multiple retail businesses and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in August 2018.
Fry Daddy’s adds drive-thru spot on Cottage Hill Road
Fry Daddy’s has leased a 3,000-square-foot, stand-alone building with a drive-thru window at 3957 Cottage Hill Road in Mobile.
The restaurant is known for its wings and also serves burgers, po’ boys and other American comfort food. Fry Daddy’s already operates a Mobile location on St. Stephens Road.
O’Brien of Stirling represented the landlord. Eric Coleman of Re/Max Realty Professionals represented the tenant.
Kasher Jewelry takes space on Cottage Hill Road
Kasher Jewelry has leased space at 7695 Cottage Hill Road in Mobile, according to Angela McArthur of Stirling. The size of the space was not disclosed.
The lease adds another retailer to the busy Cottage Hill Road corridor in west Mobile.
Magnolia Soap & Bath Co. relocating to Pinebrook Shopping Center
Magnolia Soap & Bath Co. has leased 1,200 square feet in Pinebrook Shopping Center at the corner of Airport Boulevard and McGregor Avenue in Mobile. The shop plans to move into the new space by the end of the year.
The Mobile store has been located at 4504 Old Shell Road. It sells plant-based, handcrafted bath and body products, including soaps, lotions, body oils, room sprays, candles and laundry detergent, and has offered bath bomb and candle-making parties for children.
The Mobile shop is part of the Magnolia Soap and Bath Co. franchise brand, which lists more than 50 locations nationwide.
O’Brien of Stirling represented the tenant. Brittain Youngblood of Youngblood Real Estate represented the landlord.
Toy Chest Garage Condominium proposed in Orange Beach
In Orange Beach, developers are seeking planning approval for Toy Chest Garage Condominium, a gated, climate-controlled garage condo facility at 5616 Roscoe Road.
The plans call for six storage buildings and a clubhouse. Garage condominiums let owners buy individual bays to store boats, recreational vehicles, classic cars and other large items, a concept that has gained traction in coastal communities where homes and condos often lack room for boats and other toys.
The request, submitted by applicant Robert Norris for property in a general business zoning district, came before the Orange Beach Planning Commission as a conditional use item. The item was deferred from the commission’s Aug. 10 meeting and placed on its Sept. 14 agenda.
The Orange Beach Planning Commission meets on the second Monday of each month and makes recommendations on development plans to the City Council.
Holt Flex buildings planned in Gulf Shores
In Gulf Shores, developers are seeking site plan approval to build Holt Flex buildings at Northshore Street and Landward Drive South.
According to city planners, the project would include four buildings, each estimated at 3,485 square feet, for a total of nearly 14,000 square feet. Flex buildings typically offer adaptable space that tenants can use for a mix of office, storage, light industrial or showroom purposes.
Commercial real estate deals at a glance
- Hansen Super Techs: 23,000 square feet, 5640 Commerce Blvd., Mobile; main office.
- Dots & Dragons Mahjong: 4,038 square feet, Blue Bird Hardware building, 2724 Old Shell Road, Mobile.
- Fry Daddy’s: 3,000-square-foot building with drive-thru, 3957 Cottage Hill Road, Mobile.
- Kasher Jewelry: 7695 Cottage Hill Road, Mobile.
- Magnolia Soap & Bath Co.: 1,200 square feet, Pinebrook Shopping Center, Airport Boulevard and McGregor Avenue, Mobile; relocating by year’s end.
- Toy Chest Garage Condominium: Six storage buildings and a clubhouse proposed at 5616 Roscoe Road, Orange Beach.
- Holt Flex: Four buildings of about 3,485 square feet each proposed at Northshore Street and Landward Drive South, Gulf Shores.