Developing Style

Hometown: Montreal. Florida home: Naples. Latest project: International Design Center, scheduled to open next month in Estero. A one-stop destination for high design and home fashion, it's the first such facility to open in 20 years and one of only 18 others in the country. In the works: University Village near Florida Gulf Coast University, featuring restaurants, shops and office space, along with apartments, condos and townhomes. Prior career: Radio advertising sales. Chief inspiration: "Creating. I love to create beautiful things. When I'm building, I'm building for myself. How would I like to live? What would I enjoy?" Favorite interior designer: Juan Montoya, hired by Miller to create the International Design Center's public spaces. Secret passion: Long-distance swimming. What's best about the Gulfshore: "The people-and it's so quaint. It's paradise to me." Advice for budding developers: "Be fair and upfront with people." Americans on Canadians: "Most Americans don't know anything about Canada. We're right next door. But we might as well be 20,000 miles away."

-Hobart Rowland