The Athens Group, a full-service real estate development company specializing in the creation of luxury resorts and urban hotels, among other asset classes, has appointed Richard Holtzman as principal/VP, hospitality.
Holzman, who brings more than 40 years of experience to his new role, will be responsible for the company’s core operations and asset management disciplines, in addition to assisting in the growth and management of Athens Group’s portfolio of projects and its strategic partners and relationships, including capital partners and hotel operators.
“Richard Holtzman brings an invaluable blend of expertise in luxury hospitality and a proven track record in project development and operations,” said Kim Richards, president/CEO, The Athens Group. “His addition to The Athens Group underscores our commitment to excellence and innovation for the benefit of our partners. We welcome him as an integral part of our team as we continue to elevate our projects and set new standards in the industry.”
The Athens Group will open three new luxury resort and hotel development projects over the coming year. Holtzman will work closely with the company’s operating and financial partners to ensure the success of each project. The three projects are:
Asher Adams: Opening in the fall of this year, Asher Adams will be the first Autograph Collection hotel in downtown Salt Lake City. The Athens Group has partnered with Hatteras Sky and Pivot, the lifestyle operating vertical of Davidson Hospitality Group, as the manager and operator of the hotel. The property is an adaptive-reuse of the historic Union Pacific Depot Train Station and will incorporate the historic train station with the addition of a new, eight-story tower with 225 guestrooms and suites, including signature rooms in the train station itself.
Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Costa Rica: Set to open at the end of this year, Nekajui is located in the Peninsula Papagayo resort community. This luxury resort will feature 107 guestrooms and suites with canopied outdoor terraces, private plunge pools, spa-like bathrooms and views overlooking Pochote Bay and its surrounding islands. The development also includes 36 luxury villas and estate homes.
Naples Beach Club: Opening in the spring of 2025, and in partnership with BDT & MSD, Athens is developing the Naples Beach Club, a 125-acre luxury beachfront resort and residential destination in Naples, FL, which lies along 1,000 feet of white sand beach on the Gulf of Mexico. The project will include a 215-room Four Seasons Resort and will feature multiple food and beverage outlets including Old Naples’ only beachfront dining venue; an 18-hole Tom Fazio-designed golf course; a clay-court tennis center; a luxury spa and fitness center; and the Market Square town center.
Holtzman said, “I look forward to playing a key role in strengthening The Athens Group platform by leveraging my years of experience in luxury hotel and resort operations and development, along with my industry relationships, to benefit our projects and our partners and stakeholders.”
Prior to joining the Athens Group, Holtzman was at Montage International for more than a decade serving as a VP. He opened the Montage Kapalua Bay, located on the former site of the Kapalua Bay Hotel, in Hawaii. Following the opening, Holtzman assumed a corporate role with Montage focused on senior leadership development to support the growth of the company’s brands.
He has also held leadership positions at The Plaza Hotel and Arizona Biltmore and was the opening GM at The Boulders Resort and Club in Arizona. The Boulders later served as the platform to build Carefree Resorts, with Holtzman as its founding president. After the sale of Carefree Resorts, he worked with Wyndham as division president and Scottsdale-based DMB Associates as president of Kukui’ula Development Company and also led the resort division for Pyramid Global Hospitality.
