Senior Vice President & Orlando Market Leader, Highwoods Properties
Search every verified Steven Garrity interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. In October 2024, Garrity appeared on the inaugural episode of the SPARK THE ARTS Podcast, where he discussed Highwoods Properties' role in supporting the arts in downtown Orlando. He stated that the company, which owns office buildings in the area, has made available a ground-floor space at no cost to artists and United Arts of Central Florida through a program called Spark the Arts Studios. Garrity described the space as previously "dark" and unleased, and said the company's goal was to "activate" it and "add value to our customers' life experience through art." He noted that if the space is leased, artists would have 60 days to vacate, but added that the company is a "long-term holder of real estate" and is "delighted" to host the program. Garrity also addressed broader downtown revitalization efforts following the pandemic, saying that the city of Orlando had begun conversations with United Arts about improving downtown vibrancy. He said Highwoods is "working with the city to place musicians in the city every day" and to have "storefront visual artists" visible to the public, framing the initiative as a matter of "economic development along with quality of life." He added that artists in the residency program are responsible for teaching "lunch and learns" to building tenants, which he said helps artists build a following and inspires office workers who may have a "creative fire inside."
“We're fortunate to have a focus on arts in downtown Orlando and here at Highwoods we own some office buildings. While we're over 90% leased, we have some spaces that we call dark spaces where the lights aren't on and they're not leased. This particular space on the first floor we wanted to activate, and we're a big fan...”
“Art really adds and enriches people's experiences as they come into the building. It's our goal to add value to our customers' life experience through art throughout our entire portfolio and company.”
“After the pandemic, downtowns across America and the world were struggling to get people to come back into the work environment and offices. The city of Orlando had started conversations with United Arts about how to improve the vibrancy of downtown and get more people to come into the city at lunchtime and evenings to...”
“We're working with the city to place musicians in the city every day and have storefront visual artists that people walk by every day and say, 'Wow, this city has something going on in the arts.' It's about economic development along with quality of life and being a healthy community.”
SPARK THE ARTS Podcast -- In this inaugural episode, join host David Wheeler as he asks, listens, and learns from the key ...
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