Blake Barnett Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Illinois, Us

Fidelity Hotel, Cleveland- Led the development and historic rehabilitation of Cleveland's Baker building into an independent, 97-key luxury boutique hotel. Implemented market-leading amenities and food and beverage offerings to enhance guest experience.Guinness Open Gate Brewery, Chicago- Spearheaded the development of a showcase brewery with food and beverage offerings for the iconic Guinness brand. Successfully brought the project to fruition, meeting the brand's high standards.Rainbird, Merced- Elevated the restaurant at El Capitan Hotel, transforming it into a tasting menu showcase highlighting local produce. Improved the dining experience for hotel guests and attracted new customers.Bobby's Market, Merced- Established a local market within El Capitan Hotel to showcase regional produce and products. Implemented a concept that promoted local businesses and provided an authentic experience for guests.Hi-Fi Wine, Merced - Pioneered the development of a curated wine shop, showcasing wines from West Coast wineries in the Central Valley area. Introduced a unique concept to the market, attracting wine enthusiasts and enhancing the client's downtown revitalization.

Chicago, Illinois, Us

El Capitan Hotel, Merced- Successfully managed the development and construction of a 114-key luxury boutique hotel, combining new build and historic preservation elements. This project was in collaboration with JdV by Hyatt, located in Merced, California.The Mainzer, Merced- Managed the historic restoration of an old theater and bus depot, transforming it into a multi-functional space comprising a restaurant, bar, and cinema. Preserved the historical integrity of the building while creating a modern entertainment destination.The Tioga, Merced- Developed a resident lounge featuring co-working space, a screening room, and a show kitchen. Created a space that caters to the needs of residents, enhancing their lifestyle.Hilton, Burlington- Orchestrated a full renovation project for Burlington's highly regarded hotel, situated along Lake Champlain. Oversaw all aspects of the project to ensure the property's prominence in the market.Radisson Blu, Chicago- Successfully transformed the all-day-dining restaurant into a new FireLake concept. Implemented innovative changes to elevate the dining experience and meet the evolving needs of guests.Topel Forman, Chicago- Implemented an open-plan adaptation and injected hospitality amenities into Michigan Avenue offices. Enhanced the workplace environment, creating a more functional and comfortable space for employees.

Site Strategy & Market Research:- Spearheaded in-depth studies on sites, markets, and development opportunities, including competitor analyses, to provide strategic guidance on operator selection and hotel programming.Operator Search:- Successfully managed a global search for an esteemed luxury hotel and casino operator for the Antigua Special Economic Zone.Contract Negotiation:- Played a pivotal role in advising and negotiating Hotel Management Agreements with potential operators, ensuring favorable terms and alignment with project objectives.Architecture & Interior Design:- Orchestrated the collaborative efforts between the architect and the chosen operator, Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos, to develop the hotel's concept and programming, ensuring seamless integration of design, functionality and strategic objectives.Business Advisory:- Provided expert guidance and advisory services for the holistic development of the Antigua Special Economic Zone, taking into account various business considerations, market dynamics, and growth potential.

Central Jakarta, Special Capital Region Of Jakarta, Id

Architecture & Interior Design:- Oversaw the progress of architectural and interior design plans through all stages, from concept to construction documents, collaborating with 5 reputable international architecture firms on 3 different projects.Business Advisory:- Worked closely with the CEO to ensure that every aspect of the projects aligned with the company's strategic objectives.Market Strategy:- Employed a market-oriented and data-driven approach to drive profitability in a highly competitive market, taking the lead on all projects.Quantitative Analysis:- Conducted comprehensive financial analyses and projections to optimize facilities programs, room matrices, and return on investment for all projects.Team Management:- Successfully managed three internal teams consisting of 3-5 individuals, overseeing their work on four projects happening simultaneously.Consultant Management:- Spearheaded the search and selection process for all project consultants, while also effectively managing a global network comprising 20 consultant teams across four projects.ProjectsW Hotel Shanghai:- Tasked with utilizing business expertise in order to create a hotel that would cater to the market and generate strong financial returns.- Oversaw the entire development program for a luxurious 400-key hotel and a 100,000 sq ft convention center as part of a $1.2 billion development project. This development also included a 65-floor Grade A office tower, a 1 million sq ft retail mall, and was located on the Shanghai riverfront.- Led a team of 4 individuals internally, as well as coordinated with 15 international consultant teams located across 4 continents.Global Development & Acquisition:- Led an international search for real estate development and acquisition opportunities with a team of 4 individuals, with the goal of diversifying the portfolio by acquiring commercial and residential assets.

Central Jakarta, Special Capital Region Of Jakarta, Id

Location Selection & Site Strategy:- Oversaw site, feasibility, market, and development studies for three projects in Shanghai and internationally.Market Research:- Authored comprehensive market study reports, conducted field work, site inspections, and competitor interviews.Operator Search:- Directed a global search for operators, negotiated 20-year contracts for two projects, and served as the owner's project lead, responsible for managing all Technical Services with Starwood.Contract Negotiation:- Successfully negotiated the Hotel Management Agreement and managed contracts for over 30 consultants.Regulatory Oversight:- Coordinated with regulatory agencies to obtain site plan, engineering, and government approvals.Budget & Schedule:- Managed three projects with a combined budget of over $2 billion.ProjectsW Hotel Shanghai:- Oversaw the entire development program for a luxurious 400-key hotel and a 100,000 sq ft convention center as part of a $1.2 billion development project. This development also included a 65-floor Grade A office tower, a 1 million sq ft retail mall, and was located on the Shanghai riverfront.- Managed the development of the 550,000 sq ft hotel and led a team of 4 individuals internally, as well as coordinated with 15 international consultant teams located across 4 continents.Sheshan Resort:- Oversaw the conceptualization, development, and sale of a 100-room countryside residential resort spanning 1.6 million sq ft, located one hour outside Shanghai.- Implemented an international condo ownership structure via Hong Kong to overcome hurdles for foreign investors.CEO's Residential & Office Compound:- Led the development of a 270,000 sq ft compound consisting of six residential and office buildings for the Wijaya family, establishing one of China's premier estates.- Managed a team of three internally and coordinated with five international consultant teams.

New York, Us

During my tenure, I successfully doubled the business by effectively managing all marketing activities. This included the creation and management of various digital marketing campaigns on platforms such as Google AdWords & Analytics, MSN, Yahoo!, and TripAdvisor. These efforts accounted for over 75% of our annual bookings, which was the primary revenue stream for the company.Additional Roles & Responsibilities:- Took charge of email marketing, where I wrote and managed all campaigns. As a result, we saw an average increase of 50% in bookings per email blast.- Contributed to the publication of Tablet10: Top Ten New Hotels book series by editing and producing the content. This project allowed us to showcase and promote exceptional hotels alongside our brand.- Crafted and designed a comprehensive press kit to effectively communicate our brand message and establish positive media coverage.- Played a key role in creating hotel and location-specific mixes for TabletTunes, ensuring that the music selections resonated with our target audience and enhanced the overall brand experience.- Coordinated the launch and curation of TabletStyle, an online shop. This involved sourcing unique and high-quality products that aligned with our brand image and customer preferences.- Actively sought out new hotel partnerships for business development, continuously expanding our network and generating new opportunities.

Bangkok, Th

Sales Contract Manager- Successfully managed and executed all sales contracts across 14 global offices, ensuring timely and accurate completion while maintaining strong customer relationships and achieving revenue targets.Public Relations Specialist- Directed the public relations efforts for Soneva properties in the Maldives, including overseeing press releases, coordinating media visits, and managing photography initiatives.- Led a website redesign project to enhance the brand's online presence and optimize user experience.Television Partnership Coordinator- Orchestrated a highly successful television partnership with Star Asia Networks, effectively expanding the reach and visibility of Soneva properties.- Collaborated with key stakeholders to develop strategic plans, negotiate contractual terms, and ensure seamless execution of the partnership.

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Economics

Post-Baccalaureate Studies In Physics And Mathematics, Physics