Stephen R. Sutherland: A Futurist

By Sara Pentz

Real estate visionary and Newport Beach resident Stephen R. Sutherland’s professional career has embraced the development of some of the most exclusive resorts, residences and private estates around the world. After decades of real estate development experience his thematic design firm has earned a reputation as an international leader in architecture, interior design, purchasing and construction management. This is a man whose singular vision has brought home and resort living to life on some of the most stunning land on Earth.

Sutherland’s expertise covers concept development and land acquisition. He has done site planning for an 18-hole golf course including 120 luxury residences surrounding that course. He has created a 200-room luxury resort with a view all the way across the Mediterranean Sea to the cliffs of North Africa. “I was also commissioned by one of the wealthiest families in Mexico to create a waterfront hacienda as a personal family residence for use only over the Christmas Holidays. The hacienda converts to an intimate 30-room resort the rest of the year,” he explains. This hacienda/resort has recently been shown on The Travel Channel as one of the 10 best resort hotels in Mexico.

In 1999 he sold his firm, Stephen R. Sutherland Company, to his employees. Soon after, European based Capital Suisse Bank recruited him to develop and head a new property investment division for the bank. During his tenure he negotiated the acquisition of and designed the new banking headquarters for Capital Suisse in the United States, Spain and the Private Banking Headquarters on the Rock of Gibraltar. At the same time he acquired and designed, for Capital Suisse, the Costa del Sol Resort and Country Club—nearing construction—located on the Mediterranean Sea in Casares, Spain.

Sutherland’s impressive list of clients includes Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott / Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons / Regent Hotels & Resorts, Camino Real / Western Hotels, to name a few. Over the years he opened architecture & design offices in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Marbella, Spain.

Sutherland has created luxury living for many from these international offices. He has planned and built many rooms-with-a-view in old world enclaves that face the sea and vacation towns across continents. With a host of world-class clients he has traveled to the most exotic locales to ensure his services remain first class. And during those travels he became enveloped by the elements of design that have been infused with a style and elegance confirmed by the judgment of time.

With all this affluence, travel and architectural artistry as his mecca, he admits, “I am happier now than I have ever been; now that I’m married and enjoying my two-year-old baby girl Sarah.” Life seems peaceful and yet still stimulating for this newly minted family man. Not content to languish in his past successes, today Sutherland’s finely honed skills in the ‘art of visionary design’ are focused on his hometown of Newport Beach where his plans for the future are certainly grand.

One project is the design and development of the luxurious 110-guest room MarinaPark Resort, being planned on the waterfront in Newport Beach. Another is the development of a new Real Estate Division named The Architectural Collection. “This company will obtain and highlight listings of estates and waterfront homes that have a basis of architectural beauty to be matched with potential buyers looking for the spectacular but not having the time to go through all of the standard steps when dealing with a real estate firm,” Sutherland explains. “With my global contacts we expect to find those special buyers who want a distinctive home in Newport Beach or other world-class locales. Two major real estate firms have contacted Sutherland wanting to be a part of this program.

The 43-year Newport Beach resident has been active in the community as a businessman and resident over the years—in between his travel and work. He is currently Vice-Chairman of the Economic Development Committee for the Newport Beach City Council. He is Honorary Co-Chairman of the Business Advisory Council for the National Republican Congressional Committee, and in 2001 he received the California Businessman of the Year Award.

What Stephen R. Sutherland envisions for Newport Beach is a combination of his immense knowledge and history for creating ‘castles’ to enhance the scenery and focus the eye on beauty. Such is the case embedded in his personal and business motto: “Success is a Seven Letter Word that Spells Quality.” Through with constant traveling now, he has come home to Newport Beach to recreate his world vision on this lovely land by the sea.