Fort Lauderdale, FL. – Stiles announced today that its corporate headquarters has achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The USGBC awarded the 85,439-square-foot multi-tenant office building a certification for Commercial Interiors under its stringent rating system. The building, known as the Plaza at Las Olas (PALO), earned the prestigious designation from the national, not-for-profit USGBC for meeting LEED standards for energy use, lighting, water and material use, and incorporating a variety of sustainable strategies.

Stiles first Commercial Interior certification, PALO has been through four transformations since its original construction in 1940s. The project tops Stiles’ extraordinary roster of 16 South Florida LEED projects, eleven of which it has either developed, constructed or both, and the rest of which it has provided consulting services to help clients achieve project certification. As a result of Stiles’ commitment to sustainability and 60-year successful track record, the company decided several years ago to reform the foundation of its operating procedures with a series of sustainable practices. Since then, Stiles has incorporated these practices throughout its portfolio of projects, and has established itself as a leader in designing, building and managing environmentally-conscious commercial structures.

“This project illustrates our long-term commitment to enhancing the health and wellness of our employees as well our commitment to a more sustainable environment,” said Stiles Chairman and CEO Terry Stiles. “Sustainability remains a cornerstone of our business, and it is extremely important for us to grow our brand and company in an environmentally-friendly way. We are proud to have led the way in sustainable building when we developed the first LEED-NC spec office building in Broward County and are pleased to continue to create and preserve healthy productive environments that benefit the communities in which we serve.”

Located at 301 East Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale’s business epicenter, PALO is a nine-story mixed-use office building with more than 10,100 square feet of ground-level retail fronting Las Olas Boulevard as well as a five-level adjacent parking garage. The building is leased to key tenants including Bank Atlantic, Vibe Las Olas and Franklin Templeton. During its most recent renovation, Stiles took it from a Spanish Mediterranean style of architecture to a more contemporary design, which includes full height hurricane impact windows, a modern white and gray exterior with crisp lines, and an aluminum trellis that is illuminated at night to draw the eye upward, creating a dramatic, dimensional statement. 

According to Chris Rotolo, president of Stiles Property Management, which manages the building, PALO’s energy-efficient features include a computer-operated energy management system that controls the air-conditioning and heating while monitoring indoor air quality, electricity-reducing technologies, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and the use of low VOC-emitting paints and sealants. In addition, the building utilizes advanced recycling systems and green cleaning products that are environmentally safe, Green Seal Certified and bio-renewable.

“Pursuing LEED certification is a significant effort that involves the integrated collaboration of several expert teams in the areas of architecture, development, construction and property management,” said David Siegel, Stiles President of Development. “But the results are well worth the effort. As a result of our sustainable practices at PALO, we have achieved 100% lease occupancy and operating expenses are approximately 10% less expensive than comparable buildings.”

About Stiles

Stiles is a full-service commercial real estate firm with a clear mission: Invest∙Build∙Manage. With its diverse capabilities, Stiles has achieved a stellar reputation for excellence and market leadership within the real estate industry. In addition to Development, Construction, Architecture, Realty and Property Management, Stiles also specializes in Financing, Acquisitions and Repositioning. The Company is responsible for more than 37 million square feet of office, industrial, retail, mixed-use and residential projects throughout the southeastern United States. Since 1951, Stiles has played a vital role in South Florida’s rise to prominence. With a multitude of award winning projects, Stiles inspired the revitalization of downtown Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the home of its headquarters. The Company also maintains regional offices in Miami, Tampa, West Palm Beach, Naples, Fort Myers and Orlando, Florida. For more information, please visit www.stiles.com or call 954-627-9300. To view our latest press releases, visit http://www.stiles.com/pressreleases.