David Kellam
Executive Vice President, Development
With over 26 years in hospitality, David brings a highly specialized perspective at the intersection of design, development, and operational performance. His career has been defined by leading complex, large-scale hotel initiatives where execution, brand integrity, and long-term asset value must align seamlessly.
David previously held senior leadership roles with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Extended Stay America, where he oversaw architecture, design, and construction across expansive portfolios. In these roles, he directed development at scale—guiding projects from early strategy through delivery while ensuring consistency across brand standards, owner expectations, and market demands.
His experience working across both corporate and franchise environments has shaped a comprehensive understanding of the development lifecycle, with a particular strength in translating design vision into high-performing, buildable outcomes. Known for his ability to navigate complexity with clarity, David brings a disciplined, solutions-driven approach to every engagement.
At DESIGNBAR, David leads development strategy and partnership growth, working closely with owners and brands to identify opportunities and bring thoughtfully executed projects to life. His leadership reinforces the firm’s commitment to delivering design that performs—both experientially and financially.
David’s Design POV
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Favorite Piece of Furniture
I’m drawn to seating that operates at the intersection of sculpture and performance. The most compelling pieces push beyond utility, where engineering becomes part of the visual language and structure is expressed, not concealed. When a piece is both visually arresting and genuinely comfortable, it achieves something rare. That balance between art and function is where I find the most inspiration.
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Favorite Design Style
My aesthetic lives at the intersection of neo-industrial and Art Deco. Industrial elements provide clarity and restraint through material honesty and simplicity, while Art Deco introduces rhythm, richness, and a sense of occasion. The tension between the two creates spaces that feel grounded yet expressive, controlled but never static.
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Bucket List Experience
I’m drawn to the idea of navigating the Great Loop, not just as a journey, but as a study in pace, perspective, and environment. Moving through a 6,000-mile continuous waterway offers a rare opportunity to experience the built and natural landscape in sequence. It’s a slower, more intentional way of engaging with place, which aligns closely with how I think about design.
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Dream Celebrity Client
Designing a dedicated listening room for a musician would be a dream project. It’s a rare opportunity to fully integrate performance, acoustics, and aesthetics into a single environment. From the selection and display of audio equipment to the calibration of sound and spatial experience, there’s a precision and artistry to these spaces that I find incredibly compelling. The best listening environments don’t just support sound, they elevate it.