Business Details
29 Years
experience
Trusted Hotel & Real Estate Development Services
Hotel Development Service was founded in 1997, building upon the entrepreneurial foundation established by its partners during their time at Miami University in the early 1980s. Our journey began with CKC, Inc., constructing student housing and commercial projects before evolving into a national leader in hotel and real estate development. With a focus on strategic partnerships with major hotel brands like InterContinental Hotels Group, Hilton, and Marriott, we deliver turnkey solutions for site selection, design, and construction. Our portfolio spans over 40 hotels and diverse real estate projects, including mixed-use developments, student housing, and retail properties.Recognized as Oxford, Ohio's Business of the Year twice, we prioritize community engagement and sustainable building practices. Our integrated approach as both owner and general contractor ensures quality control and long-term asset value. With offices in Cincinnati and projects nationwide, we combine local roots with national expertise to create transformative developments that meet market demands.
Services
Hotel Development
Real Estate Construction
Mixed-Use Projects
Student Housing
Property Management
Details
- Year established: 1997
Highlights and features
- We offer 30+ years of experience in hotel and real estate development
- Our partnerships include major hotel brands like Marriott and Hilton
- We maintain in-house construction expertise for quality control
- Our projects have received multiple national industry awards
- We combine local community knowledge with national development capabilities
What people say
Award-winning hotel
Circle of Excellence
Lighthouse Award
Transformative projects
Top 3% overall
Services
Hotel Development
We specialize in full-cycle hotel development from site selection to brand partnerships. Our team manages design, construction, and financing for major hotel brands. With 25+ years of experience, we deliver properties that combine strategic location advantages with operational excellence.
Real Estate Construction
Our in-house construction division handles commercial real estate projects nationwide. We provide turnkey solutions for hotels, mixed-use developments, and student housing. This integrated approach ensures quality control and sustainability throughout the building process.
Mixed-Use Development
We create mixed-use developments that combine hospitality, residential, and commercial spaces. These projects emphasize walkability and community integration while maintaining financial viability. Our portfolio includes award-winning urban revitalization efforts in college towns.
Student Housing
Our student housing developments focus on modern amenities and convenient locations near university campuses. We manage CKC Rentals, Oxford's leading student housing provider, offering properties designed for academic success and community living.
Property Management
We provide comprehensive management for hotel and commercial properties through strategic partnerships. Our services maintain asset value while optimizing operational performance across 20+ properties nationwide, ensuring long-term investment returns.
People
Jim Clawson
Partner
Co-founder with 30+ years of experience in real estate development and construction. Graduated from Miami University, instrumental in forming CKC, Inc. and later Hotel Development Service.
Brian Kelly
Partner
Founding partner specializing in construction management and project execution. Key leader in developing the company's in-house construction capabilities and quality control processes.
Bob Ciampa
Partner
Co-founder focused on financial strategy and development partnerships. Plays critical role in securing financing and maintaining relationships with institutional investors and hotel brands.
David Wespiser
Partner
Hotel industry expert with extensive franchising and operational experience. Joined in 1997 to expand hotel development capabilities, bringing valuable brand relationships and market insights.
Questions
What hotel brands do you work with?
We partner with major brands including InterContinental Hotels Group, Hilton, and Marriott for our hotel developments.
In which states do you operate?
We develop properties across the United States with current projects in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Texas, and Florida.
What awards have your properties received?
Our hotels have earned Circle of Excellence, Lighthouse Awards, and Torchbearer Awards from major hotel brands.
How do you select development sites?
We focus on strategic locations near universities, business centers, and tourist destinations with strong growth potential.
Do you handle construction in-house?
Yes, our integrated construction division manages all phases of development from design to completion.
