AKA Hotels + Hotel Residences, the longtime pioneer in luxury long-stay residences and creator of the World’s Most Livable Hotels, announces the appointment of Scott Walsh, Executive Vice President of Asset, Design & Development. Walsh’s appointment comes at a pivotal point for AKA, as the brand executes its strategic growth plan introducing new properties and undertaking new projects. Walsh will oversee the renovation and transformation plans for existing AKA properties, as well as managing new ground-up developments involving construction, financing and lender relations.
An accomplished real estate and development executive with more than two decades of experience, Walsh will be responsible for sourcing new projects, participating in raising capital, as well as developing strategic business models for new and existing property assets. Walsh will oversee the projects from inception to completion, ensuring they are on time, on budget and aligned with AKA’s business objectives. Walsh will be based in New York City, working alongside Larry Korman, CEO of AKA and the greater leadership team.
“As AKA thoughtfully expands its portfolio across the country, Scott’s specialized expertise and achievements in real estate and construction align with the brand’s vision,” says Larry Korman, CEO of AKA. “Scott will be essential in further fostering our strategic development and growth, especially as we continue to evolve with new offerings.”
Prior to joining AKA, Scott served as a Project Director at Lendlease, an international construction and real estate company, where he spent the last seven years overseeing a $1.8 billion portfolio of New York based residential development projects, including 277 Fifth Avenue, 100 Claremont Avenue and 1 Java Street. Walsh’s previous roles were at Forest City Ratner Companies, TF Cornerstone/Rockrose Development Corporation and Anderson. He has garnered more than 20 years of industry experience with a stellar proven track record as a successful real estate and development executive leader.
“Joining AKA is an exciting new chapter, allowing me to fuse my expertise in ultra-luxury condos and multifamily housing with a hospitality-focused vision at a private company,” said Walsh. “With an unwavering commitment to exceptional design, crafting a sophisticated residential experience, and curating vibrant placemaking within iconic gateway cities, AKA resonates with my professional ethos. I’ve always admired Larry Korman’s approach to hospitality and design, and AKA’s core principles will foster the growth of my career in parallel with the company’s own journey.”
Walsh earned his Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell University and his Master of Science in Real Estate Finance and Investment from New York University. Walsh was a member of the Real Estate Board of New York and served as a senior member on the city’s Rent Guidelines Board. In his spare time, Walsh’s most cherished personal achievement has been the restoration of a 200+ year old farm in the Hudson Valley. Walsh is a Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardener and an active member of the Urban Land Institute, Long Island City waterfront community, The Isamu Noguchi Museum and The Trevor Project.
AKA has been a pioneer of extended stay, serviced apartments for nearly two decades and has built a successful model for long-stays with its innovative business, wellness, and lifestyle amenities, exceptional design, and outstanding hospitality services. Located in some of the most sought-after cities nationwide, and one in London, AKA allows residents to live like a local through their tailored LiveIt program, giving residents the opportunity to stay longer while immersing themselves in prominent neighborhoods and experiencing AKA’s hand-selected partners, including local tastemakers and brands. AKA’s serviced apartments and residences resonate with today’s travelers seeking a self-sufficient sanctuary that serves as a home away from home, whether it be for a week, month or longer.
