Stiles and Miller Construction Company Joint Venture Launches Multi-Million Dollar Renovation

Sept. 24, 2012 - PRLog -- FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.–Two iconic Broward-based firms – Stiles and Miller Construction Company – are bringing their combined 100+ years of local construction experience to bear in a multi-million-dollar joint venture, renovating and expanding the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Fort Lauderdale.

This spring, the Performing Arts Center Authority which governs the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, selected the joint venture Stiles/Miller, LLC for the construction project in a competitive selection process that also drew national contracting firms. The joint venture partners – full-service commercial real estate and construction firm Stiles and design/builder Miller Construction Company – are independently owned, long-time South Florida market leaders who have joined forces for the first time to handle this landmark project, according to CEOs Terry Stiles and Tom Miller.

Phased and meticulously planned to keep the Center’s full schedule of performances running smoothly, the 18-month upgrade will restore the 20 year-old venue to state-of-the-art status with the addition of an array of new amenities.  In addition to upgrades to the theater, the capital replacement and renewal project includes the construction of a spectacular two-story waterfront pavilion and terraced dining areas on the hillside between the Center and the New River, plus a three-story arts education wing facing Avenue of the Arts.  The entire project is expected to generate approximately 500 construction jobs.

“In expertise, craftsmanship and commitment to our community, the Stiles and Miller organizations are an ideal match for the challenge of bringing our vision to life,” said Kelley Shanley, president and CEO of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.  “Both companies have superb track records for delivering complex projects in tight urban locations, without any disruption to operational facilities.  And, both Terry Stiles and Tom Miller have been demonstrated stewards of Fort Lauderdale’s Downtown, the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District and the cultural community for decades.”  

The Stiles/Miller joint venture is proceeding with the project’s initial phase, scheduled for completion in October in time for the opening of the 2012/13 theater season.  Phase one includes refurbishing and restoring the 2,688-seat Au-Rene Theater with cutting-edge high-tech audio and lighting systems, a new orchestra lift and other advanced production features, new seating and carpeting, and upgraded roof and high-efficiency climate control system. Stiles/Miller crews are also constructing the new Club Level on the Mezzanine Level of the Au-Rene Theater which will allow Club Level patrons to mix and mingle and enjoy refreshments before, during and after performances.
Shanley said he anticipates that Stiles/Miller will break ground in early December for the new 11,700-square-foot pavilion, which will be built to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, as well as the 25,000-square-foot arts education wing.

Ensuring smooth, ongoing operations is crucial for the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, which ranks among the nation’s top 10 theaters in ticket sales and draws more than 600,000 visitors to about 700 events each year.  The summer schedule of performances and events continued in full swing at the Center’s 590-seat Amaturo Theater, and a robust schedule of performances is planned for the 2012/13 season in all of the Center’s performance venues – the Au-Rene Theater, the Amaturo Theater and the Abdo New River Room.

The Stiles and Miller organizations each bring deep experience in delivering award-winning construction at high-traffic, fully operational facilities that serve the public.  Stiles, for example, was responsible for the recent $9 million 31,000-square-foot expansion of the Museum of Discovery and Science, Fort Lauderdale and for the $200 million Dolphin Stadium expansion in Miami where work was accomplished during the Marlins baseball season without interruption to a single event. The firm brings particular expertise in staging major construction projects in Downtown Fort Lauderdale.  Miller Construction Company’s experience includes construction of the Nova Southeastern University’s Miniaci Performing Arts Center and the campus’ University Center sports arena, plus dozens of major hospital projects with stringent operational and safety requirements.

“The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is a defining Fort Lauderdale community asset in our own backyard,” said Terry Stiles.  “We really wanted to take this role in the Center’s evolution.  Teaming with Miller – instead of going in as competitors – made sense.   Our companies’ experience aligned with the project’s scope, and we both have deeply held values of craftsmanship and customer service.”
   
“Our firm’s commitment to the Center’s success runs deep, and goes back to its beginning,” added Tom Miller.  “Based on Miller Construction Company’s joint ventures through the years on other high-profile projects, we saw the ‘fit’ with Stiles for this project.  It’s a great opportunity to help build Fort Lauderdale’s future.”

About Miller Construction Company
Founded in 1973, Miller Construction Company is a prominent South Florida design/builder and construction-services firm for the commercial, office, healthcare, education and industrial markets. Visit Miller at http://www.millerconstruction.com or call 954-847-0608.

About Stiles
Stiles is a full-service commercial real estate firm with a clear mission: Invest. Build. Manage. Stiles services include development, construction, tenant improvement, realty, property management, architecture, acquisitions and financing. Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Stiles also has regional offices in Miami, Fort Myers, Tampa and Orlando, Florida. Stiles is responsible for more than 37 million square feet of office, industrial, retail and mixed-use residential projects throughout the southeastern United States. For more information, please visit www.stiles.com or call 954-627-9300.