Meet Edward Roski Jr.--The man behind downtown Los Angeles' new sports stadium, the Staples Center.

Photographed by Michele A. H. Smith

Ed Roski Jr. could answer to many titles: Developer. Team Owner. Explorer. But the best word to describe him may be the simplest: Builder.

He and his company, Majestic Realty Co. have been responsible for building many types of structures throughout the United States, from office buildings to industrial parks. Most recently--and notably--Roski was the force behind the Staples Center, the $300-million sports stadium currently under construction in downtown Los Angeles. Indeed, the key to his success has been building something else--support and buy-in to his vision.

His vision for the Staples Center was of a facility that not only would be profitable but would also help revitalize downtown Los Angeles--including the Figueroa Corridor, which links USC to the downtown area. Roski visited virtually every other sports arena in the United States and saw the possibilities.

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