When Ben Gold, president and CEO of Patterson Pope, went in search of corporate office space for his storage solutions and mobile shelving business, he toured numerous spaces.
His search ended at 110 East, an upscale 370,000-square-foot, 24-story building in the heart of South End that was recently named the country’s most intelligent office building.
Gold said the building blew away every other option, offering a combination of best-in-class amenities, smart infrastructure and prime location — complete with a light rail stop and dedicated parking deck.
“I give it a five-star rating, but I’d give it a six or seven if I could,” he said. “The value we’re getting from that space has far exceeded my expectations.”
To illustrate, Gold points to the building’s state-of-the-art fitness center, versatile conference rooms and stunning outdoor terrace, all easily reserved through the building’s custom app. These amenities allowed him to save on building his company’s own footprint while offering perks that entice employees back to the office.
“We’ve had employees I have not seen in years coming into the office on a regular basis because there are so many cool places to eat, and it’s so easy to get to,” Gold said.
In recent years, Charlotte has become a magnet for businesses, boasting the nation’s lowest corporate tax rate along with various incentives and grants to attract and support companies of all sizes. For commercial property owners, this boom presents both an opportunity and a challenge: How can you make an asset stand out and maximize its value in an increasingly competitive market?
An approach rooted in real-world experience
For Stiles Property Management, the driving force behind 110 East, the answer lies in a combination of deep-rooted, owner-minded expertise and a forward-thinking embrace of technology.
Stiles manages 110 East and, working in partnership with Shorenstein Properties LLC, was also a developer on the project. The firm has a 70-year legacy of success in Florida and is rapidly cementing its credibility in the Charlotte market. In addition to commercial properties, it has experience across a diverse portfolio that includes government facilities, retail centers and mixed-use facilities.
“We started by managing the properties we developed and owned ourselves,” said Chris Rotolo, president of Stiles Property Management. “That organically grew into the nearly 23 million square feet we manage today because other property owners saw the results we generated. We make decisions as if we’re the owner, constantly shaving pennies where we can without sacrificing quality. That translates to a high level of service at an affordable price point for tenants.”
Expanding into Charlotte was a natural next step for the firm, said Devon Newton, vice president of property management for Stiles. “The city’s commercial real estate market is one of the most dynamic in the Southeast, driven by a steady influx of new businesses, a growing population and a vibrant mix of industries from finance and tech to health care and logistics.”
But with that growth comes complexity. Property owners are navigating increasing tenant expectations, aging infrastructure in some legacy assets and a need for more personalized, high-touch management strategies that many national firms aren’t equipped to deliver at scale.
“From a property management perspective, we’re especially drawn to Charlotte’s sophisticated tenant base and thriving business community, which expects best-in-class service,” Newton said. “It’s an ideal match for our hands-on, hospitality-driven approach and our commitment to fostering long-term partnerships in the community.”
Strategic innovation enables efficiency and agility
Innovation is a core component of Stiles’ approach. The firm leverages technology strategically to solve problems and create efficiency.
“We automate what we can so our management team can focus on higher-value tasks, like expense reduction and revenue generation opportunities for the owner,” Newton said. “The manager isn’t busy fighting fires all day; they’re focused on creating an exceptional experience.”
This tech-enabled agility proved critical for major tenants like Coinbase, which is now leasing nearly 60,000 square feet at 110 East. Coinbase moved in and became fully operational just five days after signing its lease, a process that can take 90 days or more in other buildings, Newton said. This speed was made possible by smart building infrastructure, pre-configured systems and a proactive, tech-forward mindset supported by both partners.
In addition to the building’s tech-based bones, 110 East offers several practical applications designed for convenience and efficiency, such as a tenant experience app, which enables greater tenant self-sufficiency. For example, instead of calling management, a person in a conference room can use the app to instantly find instructions on how to lower the blinds. The app also can be used to validate parking tickets and solicit feedback through polls. In addition, 110 East features an adaptive visitor management program designed to elevate the building’s security and visibility.
Beyond the technology, the human element of the property management experience seals the deal. Gold describes the Stiles team’s hands-on support as being “like a concierge service in your building.”
“They’re constantly checking on us to make sure everything is right,” he said. “It’s second to none. I’ve never experienced anything like that from a building.”
Newton said this high-touch approach stems from an entrepreneurial spirit embedded in the company’s DNA.
“We feel personally invested,” she said. “We take extreme ownership regarding tenant needs and challenges and use an innovative approach you wouldn’t get from a larger corporation. It’s always about providing proactive solutions wherever possible.”
Stiles Property Management is a vertically integrated commercial real estate services firm with more than 70 years of experience and a portfolio encompassing nearly 23 million square feet across the Southeast. Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and active in key markets like Charlotte, the firm offers a full spectrum of property management services rooted in an owner’s mindset and driven by a hospitality-first approach. Stiles combines local market expertise with institutional discipline, leveraging smart technologies and a hands-on team to deliver operational excellence, tenant satisfaction and long-term asset performance.