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Downtown Update continued
Park’s most defining feature at the intersection of Andrews occupied. The Main was the first new office building added
Avenue and Las Olas Boulevard. We’re thrilled the fountain to the Boulevard in more than a decade. It was a unique
will be enhanced and continue to be a prominent feature on project for Downtown Fort Lauderdale that demonstrated that
the Boulevard. leading employers want to work in best-in-class and highly
amenitized spaces. Employees in The Main can easily access
Jenni Morejon: An incredible new mural has come to life on
Las Olas over the last few months. Can you tell us more about great restaurants downstairs like Moxies and Fogo de Chao
this bold addition to our downtown skyline? and shop at Greenwise next door! New developments like
The Main highlight why Downtown Fort Lauderdale is an ideal
place to work.
We’re excited about the future of our office market. Despite
many cities being full of empty offices, a new study by CBRE
found that DowntownFTL has a healthy office market with
about 70% of DowntownFTL office buildings being more
than 90% leased. We can’t wait for new inventory to open
in DowntownFTL and are excited for Hines and Urban Street
Development to make T3 FAT Village a reality.
Jenni Morejon: Can you share any fond memories with
us about essentially growing up alongside Downtown Fort
Lauderdale under your father Terry’s leadership?
Ken Stiles: I have wanted to do a mural at one of our Ken Stiles: I was born and raised just down the street from
projects for years. When we moved into our new office at The downtown. It’s been very special to grow up here, even
Main Las Olas, my office faced the vacant western facade more so after the passing of my father. We’ve witnessed a
of our old HQ at 301 East Las Olas and it occurred to me remarkable change over the last 25 years. Downtown was
that this would be the perfect place to make a statement a sleepy business district when I was in elementary school.
downtown. We were excited to work with internationally We are now a destination where not only businesses want
acclaimed artist Arlin Graff to create a special piece for the to locate but families are eager to move into. I am extremely
wall and now the Florida Panther is proudly gracing our city’s proud of what the company, our partners, and of course my
skyline. As you walk east on the Boulevard towards the corner father was able to help build. I hope he would be proud of the
of Las Olas and 3rd Avenue, you can see the Florida Panther exciting changes that we are all working on.
leaping into the sky. The Panther represents the strength and
resilience of our community. And coming off an incredible run Jenni Morejon: Last but not least, what is your favorite
to the Stanley Cup Final by the Florida Panthers, this was the downtown spot to spend time at with your family, friends, or
perfect moment to celebrate this majestic animal. I encourage coworkers?
everyone to check it out! Ken Stiles: We are fortunate to have so many great
Jenni Morejon: Stiles has built most of the office space in restaurants and entertainment options to choose from. It would
Downtown Fort Lauderdale. Can you talk about the future of be hard to pick one! One of my favorite things is to simply
office in our city? cruise on the boat up the New River. It’s such a different
experience seeing downtown from the water.
Ken Stiles: We were proud to bring The Main Las Olas
to market and are excited to report that the building is fully
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jenni Morejon is the President & CEO of the Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority (DDA), a
public-private partnership that powers the experience, growth, and prosperity of Downtown Fort Lauderdale.
The DDA focuses on growing DowntownFTL with major investments in real estate, infrastructure, and
transportation; improving public spaces like streets and parks for all to enjoy; and connecting the city through
partnerships that celebrate community.
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