Creating good architects - People - Jorge Perez $1.25 million donation to the University of Miami's School of Architecture - Brief Article

South Florida CEO, Feb, 2003

* Jorge Perez, CEO of Miami-based. The Related Group of Florida, has long been a vocal proponent of the principles of New Urbanism (the movement to creative viable down towns) through developments like City Place in West Palm beach and the One Miami high-rise project in downtown Miami. Now, Perez has taken his avocation a step farther, helping create a new building for the University of Miami's School of Architecture, itself a hot bed for the movement.

In January, Perez-who is a member of the university's board of trustees - announced the donation of $1.25 million toward an 8,600-square-foot center designed by renowned architect (and urbanist) Leon Krier. "I think the school and its dean Eliza beth Plater-Zyberk are the foremost proponent of the New Urbanism," says Perez. "It's an honor to work with them." In addition to his donation, Perez pledged to raise another $500,000, and to use his corporate staff to help in contractor selection, engineering logistics and material selection for the project. "We're not taking the lead," says. Perez. "This is just the private sector adding to the process."