The Builders Association of South Florida (BASF) has awarded
Tom Murphy, Jr., founder, chairm and CEO of Coastal Construction, the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award while also inducting the veteran Miami-based general contractor into the BASF Housing Hall of Fame.
Prominent Miami developers, Jorge Perez, chair and CEO of the Related Group and last year’s award recipient, and Tibor Hollo, chair and president of Florida East Coast Realty, presented Murphy with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Builders Association of South Florida’s 75th anniversary celebration in May at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami.
The Lifetime Achievement award recognizes industry giants who have shaped the South Florida skyline and made a positive, charitable and educational impact on the community. Coastal with more than $5 billion in active commercial and residential projects, has built many of South Florida’s most high-profile projects, including the Four Seasons Resort Surf Club, St. Regis Resort & Residences Bal Harbour, Ocean Reef Club, the Miami Beach Edition, SLS South Beach, Faena Hotel, Palm Beach Hilton,
The Mansions at Acqualina, Porsche Design Tower, Miami Design District, and Bacardi Headquarters in Coral Gables among many others.
Through a variety of hands-on volunteer efforts, in-kind donations, and financial contributions, the company’s philanthropic arm, Coastal Cares, has actively supported more than 30 organizations, including Miami Bridge Youth and Family Services, I Have a Dream Foundation, Rebuilding Together, Camillus House, Sheridan House Family Ministries, and Ace Mentoring Programs, among many others throughout the past 30 years.
Murphy, who this year celebrates 50 years in business and at age 19 became the youngest contractor in the state at the time, also was inducted into the BASF Housing Hall of Fame alongside fellow honoree Sen. Bob Graham. This prestigious recognition, which is voted on by the BASF Board of Governors, honors leaders who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the South Florida building industry.
During the evening, his sons Coastal co-presidents Tom C. and Sean, and The Hon. Patrick Murphy, took to the podium to share personal stories and values instilled in them by their father, utilizing the company’s motto, “It’s Not Just Business, It’s Personal,” as the underlying theme. The three men surprised their father with a towering, three-foot, illuminated cake to celebrate his 50-year professional milestone.
The BASF award recognitions come on the heels of yet another proud achievement for Murphy. Recently, the Thomas P. Murphy Design Studio Building at the University of Miami’s School of Architecture, which Murphy built and donated in his father’s honor, was named the 2018 U.S. Building of the Year on American- Architects, a news platform published by World-Architects.
“It is such a tremendous honor to be surrounded by so many great leaders in the industry and to be recognized with two of the Builder Association’s most prestigious and honorable awards. I am incredibly grateful and humbled by this recognition,” Murphy said.
“Tom takes our dreams — the ideas we have both in our minds and on paper — and turns them into magnificent buildings that grace our city’s boulevards, and creates, and many times re-creates, neighborhoods for people to live, work and play,” Perez said.
“Tom has helped make our company and our community better all these years.”
For more information on Coastal, call 305-559-4900, or visit www.coastalconstruction.com.
