City Hall
On October 2, 2012 Brian Stebbins passed away at the age of 55. The beloved architect of Southlake Town Square is survived by his wife Pattie, son Carter and daughter Jenna.
Built upon a farm in the middle of a rural suburb, Southlake Town Square has become an award-winning mixed use facility that houses retail, entertainment and city government activities as it encourages the sense of small-town community amongst the vibrant city of Southlake, Texas.
For thirteen years and counting residents and visitors alike enjoy a special experience built in no small part by Stebbins' visionary brilliance. A loving husband, father and friend to our city he leaves behind much more than the bricks and mortar which make up this prized development. He leaves a legacy of community involvement that has and will continue to shape the city for many years to come.
Even though the words below were written almost three years earlier, we find it fitting to re-publish our editor's letter from the December 2009 as we gratefully remember the magnitude of his accomplishments.
Timing is Everything - originally published December 2009
In late January 2006− as a wannabe publisher−brI was excited by the level of enthusiasm Brian Stebbins had for my interviewbrrequest. I still clearly remember his spotless, fire engine red Dodge Viperbrpulling up to my front door. I was uncomfortable with the fact my firstbrinterviewee was chauffeuring me ,butbrBrian said “hop in,” and just like that− I was off on my personal guided tour.
Years later, I now realize my timing could not have beenbrbetter. Brian and his firm Cooper & Stebbins, were set to celebrate the completionbrof the Grand Avenue District, the third phase of his highly successful development,brand I would be publishing this as my first-ever feature story.
During the interview and tour, Brian wowed me with hisbrdetailed knowledge and the scope of his project. He also impressed by listeningbrto me speak of developing a publication about a city, that before his project, wouldbrhave been better suited for an almanac than a glossy magazine. But I would quicklybrcome to learn that Brian was committed to his project, committed to the citybrand an entrepreneur all the way.
I am often asked how I came up with the idea to publish abrlifestyle magazine for Southlake. Honestly, the idea of building a lifestylebrworth publishing was Brian's vision well before the reality of it all- smackedbrme upside the face. By the time my plan was on paper, Brian had alreadybrrelocated his family and his business, had become a community leader as well asbra philanthropic catalyst and had all but cut the ribbon on over one millionbrsquare feet of community spirit. Again, good timing, I merely snapped a photobrof it all.
As a transplant circa 2004, Brian Stebbins gave me a place tobrcall home and a job to boot− covering the vibe of a city chock full of hisbrspirit. His vision has affected my life and the lives of my children, just as Ibram sure it has affected all who live, work and play in Southlake. His work hasbrprovided us the space for our city government and community events like Homebrfor the Holidays and Art in the Square. It has given us the backbone for strongbrcommerce and the highest financial ratings possible… while his heart helped maintainbrexcellence in our schools through his support of the Carroll EducationbrFoundation.
This December marks a major milestone in completing thebrvision we have had for Southlake's Premier Lifestyle Magazine. Honoring thebrcity through our first ever “Best of” party and extending our inauguralbrSouthlake Style Community Impact Award to Brian Stebbins, the man behindbrSouthlake Town Square, has been an overwhelming experience. Again our timing isbrperfect, as there is no better time than right now to recognize Brian Stebbinsbrfor his accomplishments and thank him for bringing his STYLE to our city.