Duro Hospitality, the group behind the beloved Design District hot spots The Charles, Bar Charles, and its newest hot spot Sister, is proud to formally announce the establishment of their hospitality firm specializing in operations, concepting, development and design focused on restaurants, bars, hotels and multi-family projects.
Duro Hospitality was created in 2020 as a collective approach to creating unique and inspiring hospitality brands and experiences. The founding managing partners – Chas Martin, Benji Homsey, Corbin See and Ross See – each bring unique expertise and talents to the team that contribute to the overall success of the group.
· Chas Martin understands hospitality better than anyone and understands what it takes to build and run a successful business. He is a consummate host and wants to create the best place to drink, dine and work in country. He led the charge on concepting, creating and managing one of the best and busiest restaurants that Dallas has seen in the last decade, acting as general manager and managing partner of The Charles since it first opened in May 2018. Martin is now relinquishing the former of those titles to focus on new hospitality projects.
· Benji Homsey spent nearly 20 years with Hotel Zaza with a focus on all aspects of the business including operations, most recently serving as President of Brand and Development for Z Resorts where his focus was to procure new developments. As new properties emerged, Homsey ensured all existing properties’ design, branding, experience, and ambience standards exceed those of a trendy luxury branded hotel. Martin and Homsey collectively have over 40 years of experience in the hospitality industry.
· Corbin See is one half of the dynamic duo of Sees Design, a second-generation interior design firm with offices in Dallas and Oklahoma City. See, whose main focus is interior design, has been featured on Architectural Digest, Sotheby’s 20 to watch in 2020, participated in the inaugural and esteemed Kips Bay Dallas Showhouse, and has been consecutively listed by DHome as Best Designers in Dallas since 2017.
· Ross See, Allied ASID, brings over 15 years of interior design experience to the Sees Design duo. See’s main role at the design firm is a focus on interior architecture and space planning. Sees Design’s work has been featured nationally in Architectural Digest, AD Pro, Dallas Modern, D Home, PaperCity, Modern Luxury and many other local publications.
The group’s collaborative style has positioned Duro Hospitality as one of the fastest growing hospitality groups in Texas. After the rapid success of The Charles, the team decided to take their successful formula and scale it with the ultimate goal of becoming one of the most innovative, thought-provoking, and people-focused hospitality companies in the country.
“We built Duro Hospitality on the dream of becoming one of the most well-respected hospitality groups in the country. We’re so fortunate to be able to do what we love while bringing a unique vision to the market, and couldn’t be more excited to expand in Dallas,” said Chas Martin, Founding Managing Partner. “To me, hospitality is about what we like to call ‘The Duro Release’ – making organic, memorable experiences that transport guests out of the day-to-day grind and into a place that is inviting and comfortable. I can’t wait to for more people to experience what we’re creating.”
Duro Hospitality plans to take Dallas by storm over the next 12 months with a rapid expansion of their footprint in the city. Dallasites can look forward to several new concepts:
· Sister – Sister marks a new chapter in the location of the famed The Grape, a Dallas icon for over 40 years. Situated in the lower Greenville area, Sister serves east Dallas but is also minutes from Highland Park. The cuisine consists of a loosely Italian-inspired neighborhood fare, including wood fired meats and fish, pasta, and light Mediterranean dishes. Sister is open seven nights a week for dinner.
· Casa Duro – Casa Duro is Duro Hospitality’s first leap into the hotel industry. Opening in the first quarter of 2022, the three apartments that sit above Sister Restaurant will be available for short and long-term stays. Each apartment (two with two bedrooms, and the third with one bedroom) has undergone full renovations and are completely furnished, including kitchens.
· Café Duro – Rounding out the Lower Greenville location will be Café Duro. Adjacent to Sister, Café Duro will serve as a café and market offering coffee, wine, house made pasta, pre-cut meats, charcuterie, cheese, pastries, paninis, home goods and more. Café Duro is also slated to open in the first quarter of 2022.
· Highland Park Soda Fountain/Weir’s Plaza – Duro Hospitality will take over the historic Highland Park Soda Fountain in the fall of 2022.
· Cole & Riverfront – Duro Hospitality has recently acquired a property in the Design District at the corner of Cole and Riverfront and is in the early stages of development. It will open in mid-2022.
As Duro Hospitality expands, they continue to adapt to ensure they are an employer of choice by making investments in both their teams and their work environments, wanting to change the industry for the better. The group gives their employees access to a number of benefits, including companywide perks, access to full health insurance coverage, bonus and incentive plans, and leadership training. Ultimately, Duro Hospitality is creating a people-first culture.
“We always think about the people first. Although we are in the hospitality business, it’s not just about the guest – it starts with hiring the right individuals, providing the appropriate training and ensuring that everyone is happy and equipped to be successful,” said Benji Homsey, Founding Managing Partner. “Training doesn’t just happen during the onboarding process but is a constant practice that exists daily and weekly. A positive guest experience begins with a positive staff experience, and we can’t grow without the right people.”