Terry W. Stiles

Terry W. Stiles was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Stiles until his passing in 2017. Widely regarded as a leading visionary of commercial real estate in the Southeast, Stiles took the helm of his namesake firm in 1971 with only a few employees and grew it to be one of the largest full-service real estate companies in the Southeast. With more than 300 employees, the Stiles Corporation today is active in Florida, the Carolinas and Tennessee.

Under his leadership, Stiles developed more than 43 million square feet of award-winning commercial and residential projects, including urban and suburban office buildings, master-planned and mixed-use corporate parks, luxury residential communities and retail shopping centers. Responsible for more than four million square feet of office, residential and retail projects within the Las Olas corridor alone, Stiles is credited for helping to shape the iconic Fort Lauderdale skyline, following his vision of an activated central business district that included lifestyle amenities and an abundance of residential options. The company proudly continued with that vision over the next several years by adding another two million square feet of residential, office, retail and grocery development in the core of the district along 3rd Ave. That additional development spurred business and residential growth in the area, lending to its moniker the “Wall Street of the South.”

Stiles had an equally tremendous impact on corporate park development in South Florida. Years after opening Sawgrass Corporate Park, the first master-planned corporate park development in Broward County, Stiles maintained his position at the forefront of real estate trends. He executed on innovative, engaging and environmentally responsible commercial and residential projects that transformed neighborhoods. For example, the multifamily tower One Plantation is Broward County’s first LEED-certified luxury apartment community.

In 2012, Stiles spearheaded the company’s expansion into North Carolina and Tennessee, completing a Pillar award-winning residential project in Nashville as well as several Publix-anchored shopping centers in Charlotte. The company continues’ to focus on aggressive growth throughout the Carolinas having executed millions of square feet of additional office, retail and luxury residential development with much more planned and underway.

In addition to beautifying and revitalizing his hometown, Stiles was a firm believer in giving back and has led by example as a community leader. He was personally involved with organizations supporting children, education and family. He was a former president of the non-profit organization, Jack and Jill Children’s Center and supported more than 30 organizations across Florida, including the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Junior Achievement, Boys & Girls Club, Broward College, Humane Society, Kids in Distress and Habitat for Humanity.

In recognition of his achievements, Stiles was honored with several prestigious awards including NAIOP National Developer of the Year and South Florida Developer of the Year (2000). Other awards include the ULI Lifetime Achievement Award (2009) for his impact on the real estate industry, the Business Hall of Fame Laureate Award by Junior Achievement of South Florida (2007), Sun-Sentinel’s 2003 Philanthropist of the Year Award, and United Way’s 1996 Community Hero Award, in which he was commissioned to carry the torch at the 1996 Olympic cross-country relay.

Stiles was also the proud recipient of the 1985 Sun Sentinel Excalibur Award, which recognized his success within the Fort Lauderdale business community as well as his commitment to the values of innovation, company growth and community contribution. Notwithstanding, his biggest reward came from the many thanks he received from children throughout the years.

Stiles is survived by his son Ken Stiles, daughters Carrie Tidwell and Tresa Stiles, and six grandchildren.

Stiles’ professional affiliations included: NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association Past National Chairman; Broward Workshop Past Vice Chairman and Current Member; Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance CEO Council; Broward Performing Arts Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors; Jack & Jill Children’s Center Board of Directors; Port Everglades Advocacy Team Past Chairman; Friends of the Airport Past Chairman; Executive Association of Fort Lauderdale Member; Urban Land Institute Member; Building Owners and Managers Association Member; International Council of Shopping Centers Member; Boys and Girls Club of Broward Generals Club Member.