KEY TAKEAWAYS: BCMT acquired Latter Center West in Metairie for $9.3 million. Company will relocate headquarters and consolidate business units into the 100,000-sq-ft building. NAI Rampart brokered the sale and will handle leasing for remaining space. BCMT plans major capital improvements and will bring building occupancy to about 97%. Harahan-based Belle Chasse Marine Transportation has acquired the Latter Center West office building at 2800 Veterans Blvd. in Metairie, where the company plans to relocate its corporate headquarters and consolidate several of its business units. BCMT bought the three-story and approximate 100,000-square-foot building from SHRLA LLC, an Alpharetta, Georgia-based commercial real estate firm. New Orleans-based commercial real estate firm NAI Rampart, represented by commercial sales and leasing agents Brian Rourke and Daniel Marse, brokered the $9.3 million deal. Following the sale, NAI Rampart was retained as the exclusive leasing agent for the property and is actively leasing office space in the building. BCMT administrative staff will occupy approximately 10,000 square feet and bring the occupancy rate within Latter Center West to approximately 97% of the 96,983 square feet of net rentable area. BCMT joins more than 20 tenants located in 2800 Veterans Blvd, including the likes of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Raymond James, Faubourg Private Wealth, Nola Financial, Primerica, the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board, The Training Room, Pearson Professional Centers, and several professional services companies, such as law and accounting firms, engineering companies, insurance companies, and medical offices. As part of the marine logistics company’s long-term strategy, BCMT has pledged to make a significant capital investment to elevate the tenant experience and enhance the building that was constructed in 1979. “This transaction and the planned improvements highlight the continued strength of the Metairie office submarket,” said Rourke, the sellers’ agent with NAI Rampart. “The new ownership further secures Latter Center West’s status as a premier office destination along Veterans Boulevard, giving prospective tenants a modern option in a highly-sought after location.”   BCMT is a locally grown and family-owned international marine transportation company launched in 1977 by the late founder Gordon Konrad. Now managed by his sons Rob, Shawn, and Ian Konrad, BCMT has played a vital role over the last 43 years in facilitating international trade, strengthening maritime logistics networks, and driving economic impact across the Greater New Orleans area. BCMT will move its lead office personnel and administrative staff of 24 employees into 2800 Veterans. Previously, the company had management team personnel working at various locations across Harahan. BCMT employs 285 total people, mostly on vessels and at support locations. BCMT has a fleet of 17 crew boats, 12 store/supply boats, 14 barges, and five push boats, assisting with anchor recovery and heavy lifts, as well as launch services and lubricants. ...read more read less