SPUR board member Tim Steele is senior vice president of real estate development at the Sobrato Organization, where he has worked for the past 17 years on the design, entitling and construction of real estate development projects. He grew up in the Central Valley and studied photography and commercial art at Morehead State University in Kentucky. After graduation, he came to the Bay Area with his wife, a native of the South Bay. They have been married and living in San Jose for over 30 years.
Tim’s dad was a custom home builder so he knew about the industry. He started out as a commercial broker, then went to work in government, with the Hayward Redevelopment Agency and the San Jose Office of Economic Development before joining the Sobrato Organization.
When did you first become interested in cities?
I have been interested and involved in real estate and development since I was young. However, it was when my daughters went to college and I had the opportunity to visit them that I became most interested in cities. One went to school in Savannah, Georgia, and the other in Boston. When visiting, I would take time to learn about each city. Both are steeped in history and great design. Savanah has deep historical roots in land planning with James Ogelthorpe’s plan for a new colony design. The city forefathers surrendered the city to the Union army to “save” the city from ruin, preserving a unique historical city design. Boston is also a unique city, being one of the oldest cities in the United States. Both captured my interest in a new way.
How did you first learn about SPUR?
When SPUR opened the San Jose office, I heard about the organization and became interested in supporting its mission.
What’s your favorite city and why?
Boston has to be my favorite city. Its rich history, broad population of students (and visiting parents) and overall vibrancy creates a dynamic and captivating city.
Favorite urban view?
Standing on the Charles River watching the Head of the Charles crew regatta with the city skyline in the background.
Favorite book, work of art or film about cities?
General Oglethorpe’s City by James Mack Adams about the design of Savannah, Georgia. In its own way, it is about the art of city design.