50 Years of Developing Relationships and Developing Communities
Through archival materials, a documentary film and vintage photos, we tell the story of a legendary partnership that continues to lead the local real estate market 50 years later.
As you travel around Rome, it is impossible to miss Toles, Temple & Wright’s impact on the community. The company was founded when two seasoned real estate professionals partnered with a young rookie. That was over 50 years ago, and the company continues to thrive as it looks forward to the future.
Toles, Temple & Wright, Inc. was formed in 1972 when C. Max Toles hired and later sold half of the brokerage to Brooke J. Temple. Together they decided to approach Sara Wright about becoming an associate broker. Wright’s reputation in the community had left quite the impression on the entrepreneurial and established Toles and the enthusiastic and energetic Temple. Wright accepted their offer, and Toles, Temple & Wright was born. “Max was one of the best, sharpest salespeople I’ve ever known, and Sara was beyond belief,” said Temple, co-founder, president, and principal broker. “Throughout our company’s long history, the strategy has always been to keep our eyes and ears on the movements and trends affecting local real estate, and to methodically hire agents that deliver only the best experience for our clients.”
Since its founding in 1972, Toles, Temple & Wright has emerged as a strong mover and shaker in the local real estate market with a long, coveted continuity of ownership and leadership. Over the years, the company has expanded its services beyond residential and commercial real estate to encompass commercial leasing and, more recently, business brokerage.
While the modern company finds its roots in Covington & Toles, TTW’s lineage goes back more than 72 years to 1949 with Adrian Howell & Company, and later, Adrian Howell & Covington. As the organization naturally evolved, marrying a traditional brokerage with real estate development and new construction remained the same. Building on the success of the early projects of its predecessors – including Fieldwood, Horseleg Estates, Maplewood Square, North Hills, and Saddle Mountain – TTW committed early on to continuing its rightful place as a pioneer and champion for future developments.
At the onset of Rome’s rapid growth fueled by new industry and healthcare, company leaders saw the dire need for adequate housing. So Toles and Temple (later Temple with Wayne Robinson) began to lay out subdivisions in desirable locations across Rome and Floyd County, especially along the Horseleg Creek corridor.
In addition to supplying the area with essential housing, developments including Huntcliff, Hunters Glen, River Place, Woodfin Estates, and The Battle Farm have left a positive economic impact on the community. These subdivisions paved the way for later successful endeavors. Among the developments were many firsts in our area. They include the Oaks at Collinwood, the first gated cluster home development; Hamilton Ridge, one of the first luxury apartments; Berry Forest, one of the first true golf course communities; as well as later phases in Maplewood East, transforming the neighborhood into the first swim and tennis community. TTW was also behind the redevelopment of the original Holiday Inn site into the River Center on Turner McCall Boulevard – now home to Bluefin and Buffalo Wild Wings.
“Our story and our legacy will always be one of seeing a need in the community – a void – and filling it with a quality product,” said Temple.
In 2002, the company reached another landmark when it officially became a second-generation family business. The senior Temple’s son, Bill Temple, now leads the organization as vice president and associate broker. Joining them are more than 40 agents representing different specialties and state licensures to meet the realty needs of Floyd County and the surrounding areas. Many of TTW’s sales associates have served the agency for multiple decades, all in response to a fulfilling, fast-paced work environment that positively encourages and promotes longevity.
The agency’s commitment to professionalism and honesty has allowed TTW to take hold, survive and thrive through the hills and valleys of local real estate over the past five decades. Through this dedication and perseverance, together with the integral support of its client base, the company recently celebrated a record-breaking decade of sales revenue, success, and industry leadership in Floyd County realty.
“Whether working on behalf of clients to get them the best property for their needs, round-tabling new construction, laying out plans for a subdivision, or giving our time and talent for an important cause or event; 50 years later, we remain committed to developing relationships and developing communities,” added Temple. “This is how we support and strengthen our area’s quality of life. We are sincerely grateful to our clients past and present for the opportunity to serve them and their real estate needs.”
To commemorate the 50th anniversary, Toles, Temple & Wright has extended the celebration to their website and on social media. A dedicated page captures and shares company milestones and local history through a new documentary film and digital timeline now accessible exclusively at TolesTemple.com/50-years. TTW recently launched the #GoldenHeritageDevelopment series on its social media channels, which showcases its different subdivisions through vintage photos, fun facts, and archival documents. Followers are encouraged to share photos and any memories from growing up and raising a family in the highlighted neighborhoods.
