Keynote

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  Andrew Thomas

  CEO

  Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.

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  Lana Negrete

  Mayor

  City of Santa Monica

Hospitality Outlook & Landscape

Hotel Development, Investment, Market Trends & Elevating Guest Experiences

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  Dustin Peterson

  Since joining The Athens Group in 1998, Dustin has been actively involved in managing and overseeing the design, construction and development of the following four major mixed-use luxury resort and hotel development projects with a combined cost of more than one billion dollars: The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, California; The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, Colorado, the Montage Resort & Spa, Laguna Beach, California and the Montage Beverly Hills. In 2003, Dustin also helped lead the successful entitlement process for the Montage Beverly Hills. Following the opening of Montage Beverly Hills, Dustin was promoted to Vice President and Partner in The Athens Group and helped manage the residential sales and marketing efforts at Montage Beverly Hills that resulted in over $165 Million dollars in residential sales. Dustin is currently leading the entitlement efforts on the redevelopment of the Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica. Dustin received his undergraduate degree in hospitality administration from Cornell University in 1997 where he also played on the varsity men’s soccer team. He is a member of the Urban Land Institute. Dustin and his wife and three children reside in Los Angeles, California.

  The Athens Group

  Principal & VP

  Dustin Peterson

  Principal & VP

  The Athens Group

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  Jon Farzam

  Co-Owner of The Shore Hotel, Jon Farzam is a community leader and philanthropist in his neighborhood of Santa Monica. As part of a family-owned business in the town, he is proud to be in the position to help enrich the lives of others, whether through offering a memorable stay to guests, working with local nonprofits, or providing affordable rates so that the homeless population in the city has a place to safely rest their head. Jon obtained his degree in Hospitality Management from Collins College where he continued to be an active member of the school as a member of the Alumni Board. During his time in college, he was also inducted into the International Hospitality and Tourism Management Honor Society. Jon Farzam’s education, combined with the hands-on experience gained through working in the family business, has imparted him with an unparalleled understanding of the hospitality industry. With his extensive knowledge, he is committed to sharing his insight with those seeking careers within hospitality. He occasionally organizes and executes guided tours of the hotel for college students. While there, Jon gives them the opportunity to meet with management, ask questions, learn the operations, and help guide their professional decisions. More than anything, Jon loves being a resource to his community and works to find ways of helping at every chance he gets. Jon Farzam recently became involved with the Surf Bus Foundation, a non-profit organization that brings underprivileged children to the beach to engage in surf activities and ocean education. Though a majority of the kids are residents of Los Angeles, many of them have never laid eyes on the Pacific ocean. Jon and The Shore Hotel have partnered with the organization, providing them with free nights to stay at the hotel. Outside of his work with his community and local non profits, Jon and his family have created a hotel that possesses the Santa Monica Green Certification and the LEED Gold Certification, and has obtained the Environmentalist Level awarded by the California Green Lodging Program. The hotel boasts many sustainable and eco-conscious features, including a solar energy-powered heated swimming pool and a stormwater management system. What’s more, recognizing the homelessness epidemic in Santa Monica, The Shore Hotel offers some of the most affordable rates imaginable for the area, ensuring that when someone needs a roof over their head, they have an option.

  Shore Hotel

  Co-Owner

  Jon Farzam

  Co-Owner

  Shore Hotel

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  Cara Stoffel

  Regional VP of Operations, West Coast

  Proper Hospitality

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  Younes Atallah

  Younes Atallah, named General Manager of the Year by the California Hotel & Lodging Association, brings over two decades of leadership experience to the luxury hospitality industry as General Manager of the newly unveiled Regent Santa Monica Beach. With an impressive career spanning renowned establishments, Younes honed his skills and expertise during his decade-long tenure with Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, as well as during his 11 years with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. Notably, Younes served as hotel manager at the esteemed Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort in Arizona and most recently held the position of general manager at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel. Younes plays an active role in local associations and industry programs. He currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for Santa Monica Travel & Tourism and as Chair for Tourism District Committee. Additionally, Younes formerly served as Chair of the Board for the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce.

  Regent Santa Monica Beach

  GM

  Younes Atallah

  GM

  Regent Santa Monica Beach

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  Lauren Salisbury

  VP

  Santa Monica Travel & Tourism

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  Jennifer Taylor

  Jennifer Taylor is an experienced professional who has held various economic development and planning positions throughout their career. Jennifer currently works as an Economic Development Manager at the City of Santa Monica and is also a Founding Member of Buy Local Santa Monica. Previous roles include Senior Town Centres Manager at the London Borough of Lewisham, NYC Main Street Coordinator at the New York Main Street Alliance, and Preservation Planner at the Ohio Historic Preservation Office. Jennifer holds a MS in Urban Planning from Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation, as well as a BA in Urban Studies from Wittenberg University.

  City of Santa Monica

  Economic Development Manager

  Moderator

  Jennifer Taylor

  Economic Development Manager

  City of Santa Monica

DTSM Retail Market Outlook

Tenant Demand Drivers & Leasing Insights

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  Wally Marks

  Mr. Marks is the President and has headed up his family real estate and asset management company for the past 30 years, which is focused on fee owned commercial and retail properties all located in the greater Los Angeles area. Most of the assets are among the highly developed areas of Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Culver City, and notably the Helms Bakery campus. As a fifth generation Californian, Wally has deep community roots and pursues engagement with various civic and philanthropic endeavors. Graduate of UC Berkeley with a BS in Engineering.

  Walter N. Marks

  Principal

  Wally Marks

  Principal

  Walter N. Marks

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  Daniel Negari

  As the Founder and CEO of XYZ, Daniel Negari is one of the youngest registry operators in the world. The company is unlocking new real estate on the web for the next generation of internet users, with new global domain extensions like .xyz, .College, .Rent, .Security and .Protection, .Theatre, .Storage, .Baby, .Monster, and .Cars, .Car and .Auto. Under Daniel’s leadership, .xyz has become the most popular new domain in the world. Globally adopted by businesses and individuals in over 230 countries and territories, influential adopters include Google’s parent company, Alphabet (ABC.xyz), MIT (Engine.xyz), and the cofounders of Skype (Starship.xyz). As an entrepreneur, Daniel is also an active real estate investor and CEO of an online advertising agency. Prior to founding XYZ, Daniel bought and sold some of the most valuable premium domain names in the aftermarket. He has received recognition by Yahoo, Techweek and Tech in Motion for his accomplishments as an entrepreneur, and has been featured in Wired, Fox Business News, and Bloomberg. Daniel graduated from the University of Southern California, where he received several prestigious distinctions, including the USC Technology Scholar Award and USC Networking Award. He resides in Las Vegas, Nevada where XYZ is headquartered. The company also has offices in Santa Monica, California and Beijing, China.

  XYZ

  CEO

  Daniel Negari

  CEO

  XYZ

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  Rob York

  Since 1989, Robert O. York has specialized in real estate development consulting. At York Consulting Group, LLC, Robert York serves many of his long-standing clients such as Downtown Santa Monica Inc. (since 1991). Rob York received his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Tulane University and his Master of Business Administration degree from the A. B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane. Rob York is a member of the Urban Land Institute and International Council of Shopping Centers.

  York Consulting Group

  President

  Rob York

  President

  York Consulting Group

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  Christine Deschaine

  Christine Deschaine is a Senior Vice President at Kennedy Wilson Brokerage, specializing in the leasing and sale of retail properties. She has more than 30 years of experience in tenant and landlord representation and has worked extensively in urban redevelopment with some of the industry’s most prominent investors and developers. Christine is currently the exclusive agent for more than 210,000 square feet of commercial space. Since 2022, she has completed more than 193,000 square feet of commercial real estate transactions valued at $42 million. Christine has been an integral part of the real estate groups responsible for the resurgence of neighborhoods including Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade, Montana Avenue, downtown Burbank, Hollywood Boulevard, Marina del Rey and Culver City. Her expertise and familiarity with city planning officials and processes in the region have allowed her to shepherd projects through these municipalities then identify and secure a successful tenant mix. Recent notable transactions include lease deals with Poppy Bank and Noma Sushi in Santa Monica, AJA Vineyards and BodyROK Pilates in Downtown Santa Monica, Surnright Tea Room in Beverly Hills and Crumbl Cookies at West Hollywood Gateway. In March of 2023, Deschaine completed 100% of the retail leasing (41,000 SF) at The Culver Steps in Culver City. Deals included Erewhon Market, Sephora, CorePower Yoga, Mendocino Farms, Salt & Straw, Philz Coffee, Pop’s Bagels, Afuri Ramen + Dumpling, Yunomi Handroll and Formula Fig. Prior to joining Kennedy Wilson Brokerage, Christine served as a Senior Vice President and partner at Lee & Associates for 20 years.

  Kennedy Wilson Brokerage

  SVP

  Christine Deschaine

  SVP

  Kennedy Wilson Brokerage

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  Andrew Thomas, LPM

  Andrew Thomas is the Chief Executive Officer of Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM, Inc.), a non-profit organization that plays a vital role in shaping the future of Downtown Santa Monica. Since taking on the position in 2022, Andrew has led efforts to foster economic stability, urban development, and community engagement, working closely with the City of Santa Monica to implement strategic initiatives that enhance the downtown experience for businesses, residents, and visitors. Under his leadership, DTSM, Inc. continues to be a driving force in the area’s transformation. Prior to this, Andrew served as the founding Executive Director of the Westwood Village Improvement Association, where he spent more than a decade revitalizing the Westwood Business Improvement District, a bustling community adjacent to the University of California, Los Angeles. Before that, Andrew spent a decade as Director of Operations at DTSM, Inc., further cementing his strong commitment to urban management and the Santa Monica community. Andrew’s influence extends beyond the local level. He is an active board member of the California Downtown Association, working with downtown advocates and placemaking professionals across the state. Additionally, he participates in the Los Angeles Business Improvement District Consortium and the Rotary Club, continuously contributing to discussions on urban development and community well-being. He has also served on notable advisory councils, including the Geffen Academy, the University of California Police Department, and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority Regional Advisory Council, where he worked on policies addressing critical urban issues. His co-authorship of the International Downtown Association’s 2019 report on parking and mobility demonstrates his expertise in urban infrastructure planning. Outside of work, Andrew enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. In his spare time, you might also find him playing bass guitar, a passion he’s nurtured since his youth.

  Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.

  CEO

  Moderator

  Andrew Thomas, LPM

  CEO

  Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.

Developments Influencing Downtown

Analyzing the Key Projects within DTSM’s Neighborhood

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  Bruce Fairty

  Bruce Fairty joined Cypress Equity Investments as Chief Operating Officer with thirty-five years of multifamily real estate development experience and investment background as a principal. Immediately prior to joining CEI, Bruce was active as a developer in the San Francisco Bay Area, first as a partner with the Castle Group Company and then as a partner with Thompson-Dorfman Partners. At Thompson-Dorfman and the Castle Group Bruce oversaw the acquisition, entitlement and development of approximately 4,400 units in San Francisco and the Bay Area. At Castle he led the company’s efforts in the use of modular construction processes for multifamily projects. Prior to moving to San Francisco Bruce was a developer in Florida and founded Heritage Development Company in 1996 in partnership with Chicago’s Pritzker family where he oversaw all aspects of the development process for over 5,600 units. Between 1990-1995, he acquired over 6,000 REO and distressed debt units as Co-founder of Bailey Capital Company in partnership with the Whitehall Fund and Apollo Real Estate Advisors. Previously, Bruce was CFO of Trammell Crow Residential’s Central Florida Division and later Area Partner, responsible for overseeing the development of 8,500 multifamily units across four regional divisions. Mr. Fairty received his undergraduate degree from Drew University and MBA from Rutgers University.

  Cypress Equity Investments

  COO

  Bruce Fairty

  COO

  Cypress Equity Investments

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  Larry Wilkes

  As Senior Vice President of Development for Related California, Mr. Wilkes is responsible for managing all aspects of the origination, financing, entitlement, development and management of numerous market rate, mixed-income and mixed-use developments throughout California. Prior to joining Related, Mr. Wilkes worked in investment banking in New York City and in the Investments Division at CIM Group, a California-based real estate private equity firm. Mr. Wilkes is a Jenrette Fellow and holds a Master in Finance from the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School and a bachelor's degree in Economics and Economic History from the London School of Economics.

  Related CA

  SVP, Development

  Larry Wilkes

  SVP, Development

  Related CA

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  Jeremy Bachrach

  Jeremy Bachrach, Senior Director, Acquisitions and Development, joined Tishman Speyer in 2018 and currently oversees multiple development projects in San Francisco and Los Angeles. This includes leadership of the Santa Monica Collection, eight multifamily sites in Downtown Santa Monica, and the residential and horizontal infrastructure components of Mission Rock, a 28-acre mixed use development in San Francisco. He also serves as the Tishman Speyer representative on multiple LIHTC projects which are being developed in conjunction with MidPen Housing. Previously he was responsible for entitling, developing and negotiating joint ventures for other multifamily and commercial sites in San Francisco. Prior to Tishman Speyer, Jeremy worked in Acquisitions at the Prado Group, a San Francisco-based developer, and at PGIM Real Estate Finance. During his time at PGIM, he underwrote over $3.0B in affordable housing senior financing, and focused on mixed income and mixed use projects with a variety of capital sources including: LIHTCs, Tax-Exempt Bonds, and Section 8.

  Tishman Speyer

  Senior Director

  Jeremy Bachrach

  Senior Director

  Tishman Speyer

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  David Martin

  Community Development Director David Martin began his career in Santa Monica in 1987 and has been the department’s director since 2011. During the first 12 year of his Santa Monica career, he worked on major development projects and specific plans, including the Bayside District Specific Plan adopted in 1996. In 1999 David joined a Los Angeles based company focused on urban infill projects in evolving city centers. David maintained his ties to the Santa Monica community by serving as a member and president of the Bayside District Board of Directors, the business improvement district that is currently Downtown Santa Monica Inc. David returned to City service in 2009 as Deputy Director helping finalize the 2010 Land Use and Circulation Element and planning for the arrival of the Expo light rail line. He worked as an Assistant to the City Manager before becoming the Director. David oversees a department of 80 employees in the City Planning, Building and Safety, Code Enforcement, and Economic Development Divisions. David holds a B.S. in Urban and Regional Planning from California Polytechnic University, Pomona.

  City of Santa Monica

  Former Director, Community Development

  Moderator

  David Martin

  Former Director, Community Development

  City of Santa Monica

DTSM Business Update

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  26 Businesses Opened in 2024

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  25 Businesses Coming Soon

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  Downtown Business Activity (2024)