Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Baum and Mike Downing.
Robert and Mike, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
When we travel we always look for boutique hotels within neighborhoods, and we found that Chicago was lacking in that specific category. We [Robby and Mike] both had previously been in real estate development for 20 years, so we decided to pool our experience in development and property management and try our hand at hotels. We had no prior experience in hospitality, and thus it was hard to segway directly into a mainstream hotel. We were outsiders entering into the game, and this led to the development of our first hostel. We wanted to introduce an alternative way of lodging, a type of lodging not even part of the vernacular. Friends and business associates thought we were crazy, but we had a vision!
When we started out, we pushed everything else to the side to learn this business from the ground up. You’d find us working the overnight shifts and making the pancake mix for our guests. We were and still are very hands-on. We founded Urban Holiday in April of 2012, following by Holiday Jones in 2013, and FieldHouse Jones in March of 2017. With each new property opening, we’ve seen an evolution in the way we do things, and what works and doesn’t work. We started with a building that we converted from five condos to 25 sleeping rooms (most without private baths) and we’ve worked our way up to building a boutique hotel property with FieldHouse Jones. Looking ahead, we look forward to continuing to grow Bedderman Lodging to bring the market unique properties that are a hyper-local alternative way to stay.
Has it been a smooth road?
It’s been an awesome ride, but not necessarily always a smooth one. Whenever we do hit a bump in the road, we like to take the onwards and upwards approach. We believe that every experience is a learning opportunity. Each and every move we’ve made has set us up for success in our next properties and future concepts. Of course there are the nights that we had to wake up at 2am to let someone in or a language barrier we feel with the influx of international travelers at our properties.
Every step we have taken has been a learning experience, and with no previous hospitality experience we are constantly looking for ways to reinvent the wheel with our combined prior experiences. Without our previous properties we wouldn’t be able to push forward.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Bedderman Lodging story. Tell us more about the business.
Bedderman Lodging offers an alternative way to stay. We specialize in offering lodging within neighborhoods of the city you are visiting, giving our guests a more authentic experience. We are known for bringing hotels to Chicago’s neighborhoods, offering an approachable and playful place at an affordable price point. We’re proud of the WOW factor that we see from our guests. When people walk into FieldHouse Jones, it takes them a few minutes to process the space and design. We often hear our guests share feedback to the effect of, “I can’t believe there aren’t more concepts like this.” Hearing that is music to our ears!
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
People want to be a part of a community, especially when they travel. We believe our properties, which offer the luxuries of apartment-style rooms that travelers find appealing about a product like Airbnb, bring that community to life for our guests. Whether solo or groups, travelers look for a place that is safe, fun, well-located, and the option to socialize with others. Our varying room layouts set us apart, giving each of our guests the room style that works best for them.
Offering multiple products and room types allows us to list our properties on Airbnb, giving us a competitive edge against other hotels. Rather than gambling on a typical apartment listing on Airbnb, we’re a licensed property that’s well-fitted in central locations with amenities and security. By staying with us, you’re not renting an Airbnb from a random renter who may or may not be responsive to your needs. Instead, we are here to cater to your requests or give you a more independent experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fieldhousejones.com/; http://www.urbanholidaylofts.com/; http://holidayjones.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holidayjones/; https://www.instagram.com/urbanholiday/; https://www.instagram.com/fieldhousejones/
Image Credit:
Bedderman Lodging
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