Harris Rosen, whose name dots the side of buildings straddling Interstate 4 and was credited with the rise of International Drive, died Monday morning. He was 85.

News of the passing of Orlando hotelier Harris Rosen – one of the area’s most notable businessmen and philanthropists as well as a military veteran – sparked an outpouring of heartfelt tributes from community leaders.

Harris Rosen, who built Florida’s largest independent hotel chain and was one of Orlando’s preeminent philanthropists, died Monday, his business partner announced. He was 85. Rosen, the Orlando Sentinel’s Central Floridian of the Year in 2011,