The Dewberry’s John Dewberry On What ‘Southern Reimagined’ Means To Him
John Dewberry is transforming Southern hospitality, one property at a time. The Charleston-based real estate developer, who entered the industry at New York-based Marine Midland Bank (now HSBC) before founding Dewberry Capital Corporation in 1989, has spearheaded the investment, development and management of over one billion dollars of premier real estate. But it wasn’t until 2016 that his sights turned to hospitality when he took an abandoned federal building in downtown Charleston and created The Dewberry, a mid-century modern hotel that attracts well-heeled leisure and business travelers seeking high design coupled with a strong dose of Southern charm. When he’s not renovating properties (his next hotel will open in downtown Atlanta), John’s racing thoroughbreds, playing golf and eyeing his next acquisitions. Here, he explores his path to opening The Dewberry, the art of great hospitality, and what “Southern Reimagined” means to him.
Before starting Dewberry Group, you had a successful college football career at Georgia Tech and worked in the financial industry. Why did you decided to transition into real estate and hospitality?
As the son of an entrepreneur, I had exposure to business at a young age. My dad’s company, KADA Kitchen, was a contract food service business for corporate offices located in various high-rise buildings around Atlanta. My early interest in real estate came from studying those high-rise buildings. Upon graduation from Georgia Tech and prior to founding Dewberry Group, I worked for the New York–based Marine Midland Bank, a predecessor to HSBC, in commercial real estate lending. This early training provided exposure to a plethora of developers and I found the development process, quite intriguing. pg slot auto
What aspects in particular do you find intriguing?
I’m naturally drawn to architecture. I travel frequently to inhale the world’s great urban places—large and small. As a result, I began the acquisition and development of primarily infill properties throughout the Southeast with a goal of creating special, walkable places, despite the South’s overwhelming vehicular dependence. As it relates to the hotel, I was ready to birth a brand where the possibility of creating precious moments is an everyday occurrence.
