CRAIG USTLER

PRESIDENT, USTLER DEVELOPMENT, ORLANDO

Ustler Development is focused on real estate development and investment in downtown Orlando. Since 2011, Ustler has led the development team for Creative Village, which is a large-scale urban redevelopment project and a public-private partnership with the city of Orlando. A key feature of Creative Village is its “cradle to career” educational ecosystem, with UCF and Valencia College as partners. The access to public education is a “game-changer” for the nearby Parramore community, Ustler says, and also creates a direct talent pipeline from UCF’s video game design program to Electronic Arts, which moved its headquarters to Creative Village in 2022. Ustler has served on the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts board for 15-plus years. “I see it as the single most important anchor institution in downtown Orlando,” he says. “The power and economic impact of the arts are still vastly undervalued.”

EDUCATION: University of Florida (BA, MA)

FIRST JOB: Construction and home renovations

DREAM ALTERNATE CAREER: I would not change anything. But, if I had to pick something else, in the new age of NIL in college sports, I would really like to be a general manager and roster administrator for UF football or basketball. The business management side of sports is fascinating.

INDUSTRY TREND: Reinvention of the Central Business District into the Central Activity District. Downtowns remain the heartbeat and essential centerpiece of any successful city or region, but they must evolve and adapt. They are no longer about office space; they should be focused on livability, culture, entertainment and quality of life. We need to double and triple down on urban housing of all types.

SOMETHING SURPRISING
“I read a lot. I like reading 'old-school' hard copies of the newspaper and dozens of magazines, including Florida Trend, every month.”