Heron Hotels, a hotel development and investment company.

Hotel development delivered with passion and integrity.

Hotels Delivered.

  • It all begins with an idea and a blank sheet of paper. Assemble a great team, plan meticulously, and execute with an attention to detail--those are the keys to success. Heron Hotels has extensive experience in planning, financing, constructing, and opening hotels.

  • There is something special about before and after pictures! Renovations are hard with their hidden challenges. Renovating an operating hotel requires constant communication with staff and a focus on the guest experience.

  • Heron Hotels will invest in existing hotels in high barriers to entry markets where value can be created through repositioning and renovations.

  • Heron Hotels leads the team of professionals that work together to bring a project to life (from A to Z):

    Acoustical Engineer

    ADA Consultant

    Appraisers

    Aquatics Engineer

    Architect

    Branding Company

    Builder’s Risk Insurance Provider

    City Building Inspector

    City Planning Director

    Civil Engineer

    Construction Law Attorney

    Corporate Attorney

    Debt Origination Broker

    Department of Transportation Officials

    Elected Board Officials

    Electrical Engineer

    Elevator Consultant

    Environmental Consultant

    Equity Placement Broker

    Feasibility Analyst

    Financial Analyst

    Fire Marshall

    Fish and Wildlife Officials

    Food & Beverage Consultant

    Franchisor Life Safety Inspector

    Franchisor Opening Manager

    Franchisor Project Manager

    Franchisor Sales

    Furniture, Fixtures, & Equipment Installer

    Furniture, Fixtures, & Equipment Logistics

    General Contractor Project Executive

    General Contractor Project Manager

    Geotechnical Engineer

    Graphic Designer

    Health Department Officials

    Hotel General Manager

    Hotel Licensor Officials

    Hotel Marketing professional

    Hotel Sales Broker

    Hotel Sales professional

    Information Technology Consultant

    Interior Designer

    Job Cost Accountant

    Kitchen Designer

    Land Acquisition Broker

    Landscape Designer

    Laundry Consultant

    Leasing Agent

    Lender Construction Inspector

    Lender Loan Administrator

    Lender Loan Originator

    Liability Insurance Provider

    Lighting Designer

    Low Voltage Designer

    Low Voltage Installer

    Materials Inspector

    Mechanical Engineer

    Parking Consultant

    Procurement Agent

    Property Insurance Provider

    Public Relations & Media Manager

    Real Estate Attorney

    Real Estate Sales Agent

    Security Consultant

    Signage Company

    Specialty Contractor

    Specialty Vendors

    Stormwater Management Officials

    Structural Engineer

    Surveyor

    Title Insurance Provider

    Traffic Engineer

    Waterproofing Consultant

    Zoning Official

Rich Chism

President, Heron Hotels

Rich has completed over $400 Million of hospitality development and renovation projects and has been involved in many other projects in various stages of development.

Rich discovered his passion for real estate development when serving as an Army Aviator—he had a unique opportunity to manage the development of a facility for his unit’s new helicopters. After leaving the Army and attending business school, Rich started his development career with mixed use developments.

Rich joined a hotel development and management company in 2008, and has been a hotel developer ever since. His responsibilities have included programs, designs, entitlements, contracts, project management, finance, asset management, brands, and corporate strategic plans.

Rich graduated from the United States Military Academy, West Point, in 1989, with a focus in engineering management. He earned his MBA from the Wharton School of Business with the Class of 2002, studying real estate entrepreneurship.

Rich enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, bass fishing, and traveling—especially visiting National Parks.

“I love watching families arrive at a hotel that our team has just opened and seeing the excitement on the faces of the children. It’s rewarding to know that you have created a place where friends and families will make memories together. ”

— Rich Chism, Heron Hotels