Marc Cannon, AutoNation senior vice president, tells GlobeSt.com that the company is not concerned about committing to a long-term lease at a time when the auto industry appears to be struggling along with the overall economy. While credit is more difficult to obtain these days, he says vehicles are still moving off the lots at AutoNation's 239 franchises in 15 states.

"The bottom line is that we have a very profitable business, we're solidly in the black and this new headquarters puts us in a solid position for the upturn," says Cannon, whose company posted sales of $17.7 billion last year. "We want people to know that there are companies that are still planning for the future, and we're one of them."

Cannon adds that other landlords made various pitches to AutoNation to relocate its base elsewhere within South Florida, but it chose to remain in Fort Lauderdale, where it currently has at least 300 employees. Mike Jackson, the company's chairman and CEO, echoes those sentiments.

"This community has supported us with its outstanding talent, its business-friendly policies, its welcoming spirit, and that special combination of factors is a leading reason why we've been able to grow as quickly and as successfully as we have," Jackson stated in a release. "This is home for us, and we're looking forward to calling it home for many years to come."

Stiles oversees more than 37 million sf of commercial properties throughout the Southeast. It is moving ahead with design and site-plan approval for another office project in Downtown Fort Lauderdale, where it already has ownership interests in several other buildings.