Terry Stiles

Terry Stiles, the man who spearheaded the development of Fort Lauderdale from a sleepy spring break town to a booming city for businesses and residents, died on Monday September 11 2017 at 70. The chairman and former CEO of Stiles Corp. passed away in Fort Lauderdale after a recurrence of cancer. He was diagnosed with cancer in May 2015 and took leave for about six months to receive treatment. He returned to the company about 80 pounds lighter and was highly involved, even leading presentations to public officials. His son Ken Stiles became CEO of the company in a previously-announced leadership transition and Terry Stiles presided as chairman. But then the cancer returned a few months ago. Stiles Corp. has developed over 43 million square feet of commercial and multifamily real estate, including many of the office and residential towers in downtown Fort Lauderdale, the first office park in Cypress Creek, the Sawgrass International Park of Commerce in Sunrise, and Northpoint Corporate Center in West Palm Beach. Stiles Corp. diversified into an architect, property manager and general contractor, designing and constructing facilities for companies such as Publix, Autonation and City Furniture. Stiles started in the business in 1968, working alongside his father Howard Stiles building homes and small warehouses around Broward County. After his father died of a heart attack in 1971, Terry Stiles established his company at a time when Broward was a relatively rural county. Terry Stiles is survived by wife Jamie Stiles and children Ken Stiles, Tresa Stiles, Carrie Tidwell, plus six grandchildren.