Crafting the unique hotel of tomorrow.
Catellus Group LLC develops unique hospitality properties defined by character, intimacy, and a deep sense of understanding and serving the guest.
Begin a Conversation Our WorkA studio for considered hospitality.
Catellus Group LLC is a unique hotel development company based in Charlotte, North Carolina. We acquire, design, and develop intimate hospitality properties — each one shaped by its setting, its history, and the people it is built to welcome.
We believe a hotel should feel like a discovery. Our work favors fewer keys, richer detail, and a guest experience that lingers long after checkout. Whether a project is branded or unbranded is decided site by site — for our branded properties, we partner primarily with Marriott.
The team behind every property.
Catellus Group is led by a small, deliberate team — pairing decades of development and brokerage experience with disciplined project management and financial stewardship. Every property we build benefits from this collective expertise.
Stephen D. Barker
PrincipalCCIM · SEC
Derek D. Barker
DevelopmentMBA · CCIM · SEC
Ryan Miller
Project ManagementLisa Barnette
AccountingCPA
A full-cycle approach to hospitality.
Site Selection & Acquisition
Sourcing distinctive sites and properties with the potential to become true destinations — evaluating location, market, and opportunity before securing the right asset.
Vision & Design
Defining the concept that will guide each property, then leading architecture and interiors with a focus on craftsmanship, atmosphere, and a strong sense of place.
Construction
Managing the build from groundbreaking to opening — coordinating contractors, controlling cost and schedule, and protecting the original design intent through completion.
Asset Management
Overseeing each property's performance after opening — guiding operators, protecting value, and ensuring every hotel performs as beautifully as it looks.
Disposition
Identifying the right moment to exit, positioning each property for sale, and executing dispositions that capture the value our development work has created.
Capital & Partnerships
Aligning with the right investors, lenders, and partners to fund ambitious hospitality projects — building relationships that deliver significant long-term cash flow and appreciation.
A track record built on delivery.
The Embers
Blowing Rock, North CarolinaA 36-room boutique hotel on Morningside Drive in Blowing Rock, developed by Catellus Group. Set into a mountain hillside across three stories and a basement level, the property pairs intimate guest rooms and extended balconies with its own restaurant and lounge.
#4 Recognition Named one of the Best New Hotels of 2026. Southern Living ›
Comfort Inn & Suites Clarkston
Independence Township, MichiganAn 83-room, three-story Comfort Inn & Suites on Sashabaw Road in Independence Township, Michigan. Opened in June 2021, the property sits on a 2.43-acre site and offers a full slate of guest amenities.
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott
Shelby, North CarolinaAn 86-room, four-story Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites developed by Catellus Group on East Dixon Boulevard in Shelby. From groundbreaking to opening, the project set a benchmark for speed and cost discipline — and became the first Marriott to adopt the brand's updated design package.
First Marriott property to incorporate the brand's updated "Modern Calm" design package — subsequently adopted by Marriott as a system standard.
TownePlace Suites by Marriott
Shelby, North CarolinaA planned 80-room, four-story Marriott TownePlace Suites on East Dixon Boulevard in Shelby — currently under development by Catellus Group, with an estimated opening in the first quarter of 2027. The extended-stay property will sit on a 2.1-acre site, a short distance from the firm's completed Fairfield Inn & Suites.
Rendering shown is for illustrative purposes and may differ from the completed property. Click the construction camera link below to follow the project's live progress.
The Vance Hotel
Statesville, North CarolinaA planned historic rehabilitation of the landmark Vance Hotel in downtown Statesville into a 72-room Marriott Tribute Portfolio property. The project preserves the grand architecture and heritage of Louis H. Asbury's original 1919 building while introducing modern boutique amenities — a signature restaurant and bar, a lobby lounge with historic ambiance, and a basement speakeasy reimagining the Prohibition-era lore of the structure.
Preserving the past — building the future.
The Vance will honor the original Asbury design intent — keeping or rebuilding existing walls where possible, preserving major architectural elements, and minimizing invasive demolition. The result will be a boutique experience that blends classic early-20th-century elegance with the comforts of a modern Marriott Tribute property in the heart of downtown Statesville.
Image shown is the original 1919 front elevation drawing by Louis H. Asbury, Architect. Final design and finishes will be developed during the project's design phase.
The Catellus property life cycle.
Listen to the Place
Every project begins with the location — its landscape, architecture, and story. We let the site set the tone before a single decision is made.
Design for the Community
We design each property to belong where it stands — drawing on the character of its town and neighborhood, and working with architects and makers whose craftsmanship reflects the place.
Build with Care
Development is managed closely and personally, protecting the original vision through to completion.
Welcome with Soul
The result is a property that feels personal, intimate, and unmistakably alive — a place guests return to.
Manage with Intent
After opening, we stay close to each property — guiding operators, protecting the experience we built, and driving the investor returns our partners came in for.
Exit Right
We watch the market closely and move when the moment is right — positioning each property for sale and capturing the value our development work has created.
Let's build something rare.
Charlotte, NC 28203