Independent Hotel &
Branded Residence
New Build Developer
Client:
East Brown Cow | Developer
45 Union St / Old Port Square
Design by
Safdie Architects
In Their Own Words
Perspectives from discerning owners, operators, brands & creative partners.
Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder | BUNNYFiSH studio
"As owner/operator of the Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder, we are pleased to provide this letter of recommendation.
“LOTTA is our trusted advisor.
Vito looks at decisions from both a creative and financial perspective and helps us find practical solutions without losing sight of the overall vision."
— Idak Fierro Jason Schliening
COO General Manager
Danika Wright
Revenue Manager / Project Manager
"It has been my pleasure to have worked with Vito on a number of projects spanning more than a decade of collaboration on projects such as the Iconic Washington Hilton and the Hotel Phillips (Kansas City), one of the original case studies for the Curio Brand. In our work together, Vito was more than just a collaborator representing a large brand; he was always a curious critic and a partner in understanding the special circumstances of a particular client or market. His goal was always the same as ours, which was to achieve a product that was evocative."
— KRAIG KALASHIAN
Principal & Founder
KKAD
It has been my pleasure to have worked with Vito on a number of projects spanning more than a decade of collaboration on projects such as the Iconic Washington Hilton and the Hotel Phillips (Kansas City), one of the original case studies for the Curio Brand. In our work together, Vito was more than just a collaborator representing a large brand; he was always a curious critic and a partner in understanding the special circumstances of a particular client or market. His goal was always the same as ours, which was to achieve a product that was evocative.
- Kraig Kalashian
Principal & Founder, KKAD
OWNER PERSPECTIVE
"Vito combines the
mindset of an owner with pragmatism of an operator.
His unparalleled insights are grounded
in industry experience and an ability to
imagine possibilities.
His creativity and leadership drive results, unlocking the full potential of properties.
Looking forward to our next project."
— Paul Novak
Partner | Whitman Peterson
Hotel Owners and Investors
The Fraye - Curio Collection | EoA Group | Malcolm Berg
Virgin Las Vegas - Curio | Klai Juba Wald Architect | Rockwell Group
BRAND PERSPECTIVE
"Vito demonstrated deep respect for my role in shaping the future of
the Virgin Las Vegas
a Curio Collection by Hilton.”
— Teddy Mayer
Creative Director, VP Design | Virgin Hotels
OWNER PERSPECTIVE
"Together, we established a
new paradigm for conscious, forward-thinking design.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to Vito for his collaborative spirit and leadership.
First Net-Zero hotel and first Passive House-certified USA hotel, fossil-fuel-free, and LEED Platinum."
— Bruce Becker, FAIA, AICP, LEED AP
President | Becker & Becker Associates
Hotel Developer & Owner, The Hotel Marcel
Hotel Marcel | Dutch East Design | Photography by Seamus Payne
Hilton Anaheim Convention Center | Rodrigo Vargas Design
HILTON OPERATOR PERSPECTIVE
"Substantial credit is due to Vito’s leadership.
Vito adeptly navigated challenges posed by all stakeholders to propel the project forward.
His design management expertise helped us establish and prioritize scope for our 1,600-room comprehensive renovation. He guided the process, ensuring the concerns and ideas of all stakeholders were heard."
— Shaun Robinson
General Manager | Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Former GM at Hilton Anaheim
PROJECT MANAGER PERSPECTIVE
"Design vision held through operational reality.
Across multiple collaborations, Vito’s leadership was holistically minded about the business of hospitality, balancing guest-centric design intent with the practical realities that determine whether a project succeeds."
— Ellis Katz & Dana Irvine
Dir, PM Owners Reps | Project Manager
Project Management Consultants LLC
Hilton Cleveland | Cooper Carry Architects | Anderson Miller
Perspectives from Architects, Designers & Creative Partners
ARCHITECT PERSPECTIVE
"The best design comes
from careful, knowledgeable partnerships.
During the time we worked together, there was always genuine support for the project design concepts and philosophies, backed by deep industry knowledge."
— Rob Uhrin, AIA
Principal | Cooper Carry Architects
Hilton Columbus Downtown | Cooper Carry Architects | Jeffrey Beers
HKS Architects | Moody Nolan | KTGY Interior Design
Signia Indianapolis | Ratio Architects | Rockwell Group | Rottet Studio
DESIGNER PERSPECTIVE
"Energy and curiosity made the work both thoughtful and inspiring.
Vito has been a close collaborator on several of my projects and has always pushed our team to do our best work. Notable collaborations include Virgin Las Vegas, Signia Indianapolis, and Signia San Jose."
— Greg Keffer
Founder & Creative Director | Keffer Studio
Former Partner | Rockwell Group
DESIGNER PERSPECTIVE
"Vito’s guiding objectives
are unique, differentiated designs that conserve development capital.
KNA Design owes many of our celebrated endeavors to the vision of this fine man.”
— Kirk M. Nix
Principal | KNA Design
Vito's exceptional thought leadership guided my design team, over several projects, toward creative solutions and expanded our approach."
— Joycelynn Lagula
Associate Principal | Studio Leader
Perkins Eastman | Formerly Wilson Associates
Resorts World Las Vegas | KNA Design - CONRAD
Wilson Associates - HILTON
The MORROW DC - Curio Collection | Courtesy of INC Arch & Design
DESIGNER PERSPECTIVE
"Vito’s direct communication style is invaluable, especially in a creative environment where ambiguity can stall progress and impact project fees.
I had the privilege of collaborating with Vito on some challenging projects and truly valued his decisiveness and clarity. He focused on the key areas where his input mattered most.
He stands out for the precision of his critiques, which allowed us to quickly refine our work and move forward confidently, knowing exactly where we stood."
— Drew Stuart
Founding Partner | INC Architecture & Design PLLC
DESIGNER PERSPECTIVE
"He brought extensive industry knowledge and invaluable guidance, crucial to the success of these projects.
Vito consistently demonstrated exceptional design partnership, showing deep respect for our vision while skillfully balancing ownership goals and the brand’s aspirations and requirements.
I had the pleasure of closely working with Vito on El San Juan, a Curio Collection, and the new build Hilton Columbus."
— Masako Fukuoka
Studio Director | Crème / Jun Aizaki Arch. & Design
Formerly Jeffrey Beers International
El San Juan - Curio Collection | Courtesy of Jeffrey Beers Int.
Virgin Las Vegas - Curio | Klai Juba Wald Architect | Rockwell Group
images courtesy of Hilton
The best time to align is early.
The next best time is before the project drifts further.
Vito F. Lotta
Founder | Strategic Advisor
LOTTA Strategic Hospitality
+1 571 314 6071