Jeremy Stephenson joins Milhaus: What do hotels and community development have in common?

Well…
People, of course: people like Jeremy Stephenson, Executive Vice-President of Milhaus Development and Construction. After ten years working on large hotel, retail, office and convention center/hotel projects across the country, Stephenson shifts his focus to urban mixed use development. The transition from hotel development to urban infill projects, although unexpected, makes sense when viewed from several angles.

From a brand standpoint, Stephenson’s experience in the hotel and convention industry involved identifying target hotel brands for particular communities. The location of a lodging product in any given community boils down to a science most of us aren't even aware of. “We had to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of our markets and communities,” says Stephenson, “then respond with one of several generally developed brands that would ensure client comfort and familiarity, each with interior architecture that connects to the community. For example, the JW Marriott that we built here in Indianapolis has interior architecture that evokes a certain Midwestern feel and connection to the locale.”

“We are also creating a unique brand for Milhaus products, one that pays attention to local expression based on interior design and conscious offerings to residents,” says Stephenson. “We want to express ideals like environmental consciousness and conscious living and emphasize the connection to community and culture. We strive to interact in unique ways in neighborhoods. In order to accomplish that, we have to be thoughtful in our approach, in how we incorporate our vision to create a consistent, but unique feel.“

Furthermore, hotels focus heavily on customer service to make their guests feel as comfortable as they would in their own home (or better). Today’s apartment communities see the need for a similar level of service. “At Milhaus,” explains Stephenson, "we are working to incorporate that hotel or spa-like feel into our designs. We are accomplishing that through the personality profiles we hire and customer service consistent with the hospitality industry.”

Stephenson has managed multiple major projects all over the country. He knows how to evaluate markets, understand their strengths and weaknesses and identify opportunities for development. "I had good opportunities where I was,” says Stephenson, “so moving to Milhaus wasn't an easy decision for me. But from a business standpoint, I wanted to experience taking a business from start up to a company that takes advantage of growing trends. Mixed use, urban infill projects have the potential to improve the communities they’re a part of. They’re the kind of projects that will last.”