Biography

About Charles

From concert promoter to sovereign-level negotiator — a 35-year career that defies categorization and a portfolio that speaks for itself.

Charles Everhardt
Charles Everhardt
Founder · Lockwood Development Partners
Experience35+ Years
Successful Projects$2B+
BasedFlorida
Active In10+ U.S. States
EntitiesLockwood Development Partners · Lockwood Hotels
Board RolesVSUSA
Full Biography
A globally recognized developer who has masterminded over $2 billion in successful projects — from Chicago's Loop to the Waldorf Astoria, NYC.

Charles Everhardt is a globally recognized real estate developer, institutional sponsor, and philanthropic leader with a 35-year track record of executing complex, high-stakes transactions across the United States. As the founder of Lockwood Development Partners, he has led sovereign-level negotiations for the Waldorf Astoria NYC and the Anbang Strategic Hotels Portfolio — assembling a $5.4 Billion financing commitment from Natixis Bank in the process.

An expert in Institutional Adaptive Reuse, Charles specializes in transforming distressed or underutilized infrastructure — ranging from historic Chicago skyscrapers to massive, decommissioned hospitals — into high-value AI Data Centers, Medical Facilities, and Veterans' Social Infrastructure. His career is defined by Vertical Integration: he builds or chairs the very companies that anchor his developments, including Veteran Services USA.

"Charles Everhardt doesn't just find deals — he creates them. His ability to see value in complexity, and build the partnerships to unlock it, is what separates him from institutional capital that only follows."

As Principal of Lockwood Development Partners and Lockwood Hotels, Charles currently spearheads the integration of global entertainment brands into the luxury hospitality sector — including the Marriott Luxury Collection "Wagner" hotel with Vera Wang in NYC. He is also currently leading the strategic rollout of hotel concepts for Universal Music and MTV — partnerships actively in development. His unique professional trajectory — from accomplished musician and talent agent to master-scale developer — gives him an ability to bridge lifestyle branding and institutional asset management that very few in the industry can match.

He has been personally solicited by the Mayor of Las Vegas to lead NBA stadium development, conducted direct negotiations with the Chinese Government Committee regarding the Anbang portfolio, and built an institutional network spanning Natixis, Jefferies, Berkadia, Stifel, Varde Capital, HEI Hotels, and Marriott International.

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Core Competencies

I
Global Institutional Acquisitions & Finance
Led the $2B+ sovereign bid for the Anbang/Strategic Hotels Portfolio (15 luxury assets) and the Waldorf Astoria NYC. Secured a $5.4B debt commitment from Natixis Bank. Partners include Stifel, Jefferies Securities, Berkadia, and Varde Capital. Orchestrated a $265M simultaneous 11-hotel closing divested for $400M+.
II
Iconic Urban Development & Adaptive Reuse
Controlled 1M+ SF in the Chicago Loop including the $300M Randolph Tower restoration and the Old Colony, Plymouth, and LaSalle Atrium buildings. Currently converting Metro South Hospital (550,000 GSF) into a Tier-III AI Data Center and the former Playboy Hotel (640,000 GSF) into a Tier-1 film studio.
III
Strategic Partnerships & Brand Integration
Developing the Marriott Luxury Collection "Wagner" in NYC with Vera Wang. Currently leading the strategic rollout of hotel concepts for Universal Music and MTV — both partnerships are actively in development and not yet launched. Personally solicited by the Mayor of Las Vegas for NBA stadium development alongside Shaquille O'Neal. Direct negotiations with Eric Trump for Trump Hotels Israel.
IV
Philanthropy & Veterans' Social Infrastructure
Chairman of Veteran Services USA (VSUSA), a 501(c)(3) dedicated to PTSD support and veterans housing. Repurposed Pawtucket Memorial Hospital into a veteran campus.

Career Timeline

2025 – Now
The Wagner (Former Ritz-Carlton) · 2 West Street, NYC
Lockwood Development Partners / Chestnut Street Holdings
Purchased the former Ritz-Carlton Hotel, free and clear, on August 27, 2025. Converting to Marriott Luxury Collection under HEI Hotels management, with Vera Wang as creative visionary. Luxury condominiums, signature F&B, and Vera Wang-branded event spaces.
2024 – Now
Great Gorge Film Studio / Metro South AI Data Center / New Castle Hospital
Lockwood Development Partners
Three simultaneous adaptive reuse projects: 640,000 GSF former Playboy Hotel → Tier-1 film studio (NJ); 550,000 GSF former Metro South Hospital → Tier-III AI Data Center (IL); St. Francis Hospital → Affordable Housing ($40M, PA).
2023 – Now
Great Oaks Medical Center — Alpharetta, GA
Lockwood Development Partners
$16M acquisition from Reinsurance Group of America. $30M debt/equity stack. Converting Class A corporate campus to stabilized institutional medical asset with surgical suites and MEP upgrades for high-acuity healthcare providers.
2021 – 2024
$265M National Hotel Portfolio — 11 Hotels, 8 States
Lockwood Hotels / Lockwood Development Partners
Landmark simultaneous closing: $162M senior debt + $58.9M equity via Stifel. 3,400+ keys, 1.55M SF. Implemented "Hybrid Asset" model integrating hotel operations, affordable multifamily, and ghost kitchens. Total dispositions exceeded $400M.
2018 – 2019
Anbang Strategic Hotels Portfolio & Waldorf Astoria NYC Bid
Lockwood Development Partners (Berkadia / Jefferies Securities)
Led sovereign-level negotiations — three summits in Beijing with the Chinese Government Committee and Anbang leadership. Secured $5.4B financing commitment from Natixis Bank for the 15-asset, $6B Strategic Hotels bid. Received formal approval to purchase the Waldorf Astoria, NYC in 2019.
2017 – Now
Hilton Portfolio — Alabama (4 Properties)
Lockwood Development Partners
$46M acquisition. Served as Hilton Franchisee. Closed $29M CMBS loan with Citi Bank in February 2020 — locking in historically low rates days before global hospitality market collapse. Active asset management through Commonwealth Hotels.
2005 – 2012
Chicago CBD Portfolio — 1M+ SF, 5 Buildings
Lockwood Development Partners
Randolph Tower (47-story, $10M stalking horse bid, $300M value today), Old Colony (Holabird & Roche, 1894), Plymouth Building, LaSalle Atrium, 330 S. Wells, 1140 N. LaSalle ($30M exit). Rainbo Village named Best Mid-Rise Condo in Chicago (2004).
1998 – 2000
Commercial Real Estate Advisory
GMAC Commercial Real Estate · Chicago, IL
Advised publicly traded REITs on portfolio expansion and acquisition strategy within the Commercial Real Estate Division.
1992 – 1997
Gaming Development & Sourcing
Oppenheimer & Co. · NYC / Gulf Coast
Primary point person for gaming pre-development across Mississippi and Alabama (Tunica, Natchez, Gulfport, Biloxi, Mobile). Site acquisition, entitlements, and pre-development. Foundation for continued casino hotel development in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
2007
NBA Stadium Development — City of Las Vegas
Solicited by Mayor Oscar Goodman · Las Vegas, NV
Personally solicited by Mayor Oscar Goodman to develop an NBA stadium in downtown Las Vegas, negotiate the purchase of an NBA franchise, relocate it to Las Vegas, and raise capital through the EB-5 visa immigration program in China. Successfully attracted NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal as a partner — leveraging Shaq's presence to attract EB-5 investors in China. Developed a full stadium and team acquisition plan for the City. The project was ultimately shelved after the NBA decided it was not ready to approve a Las Vegas franchise following the NBA All-Star event.
2007
Checkers Restaurants — Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Financed and developed multiple Checkers Restaurants across Las Vegas.
2008
Hooters Hotel Casino & Binion's Casino Advisory
Las Vegas, Nevada
Advised on the purchase of the Hooters Hotel Casino note sale, and secured financing for Binion's Hotel Casino.
2009
Distressed Home Acquisition — Las Vegas
Cypress Equities · Las Vegas, Nevada
Purchased 14 distressed homes from a distressed home builder with Cypress Equities. Rehabbed and sold all 14 properties for profit.
2009
Netco Title Insurance — Las Vegas Office
Las Vegas, Nevada
Created the Netco Title Insurance Las Vegas office and initiated a title business program with the City of Las Vegas.
2010 – 2011
Sierra Gaming Services — President
Alpine Capital Partners / American Gaming Systems (AGS) · Illinois
Created and established a successful video lottery/video poker licensed gaming route in Illinois with partner David Hanlon. Raised millions in investment capital from Alpine Capital Partners and its subsidiary AGS to acquire existing routes and place video gaming machines across licensed locations. As President of Sierra Gaming Services, oversaw acquisition of ATM routes, hired and managed staff, and built toward placement of approximately 1,000 video gaming machines across Illinois liquor-licensed locations. Sold the company profitably in 2011.
2015 – 2017
Midway Airport Ground Acquisition — Chicago, IL
Lockwood Development Partners
Purchased 144,000 GSF of land adjacent to Midway Airport. Reconfigured and designed the property as a hotel development site. Sold the property in 2017 at a profit following entitlement and design work.
Before Real Estate

The Entertainment Legacy

Before becoming one of the country's most active real estate developers, Charles Everhardt built a career as a premier concert promoter and talent agent — working with icons across entertainment, sports, and pop culture. This roster shaped the instinct for recognizing transformative talent and vision that defines his development work today.

His unique trajectory — musician to promoter to developer — allows him to bridge lifestyle branding and institutional real estate in a way that very few operators can. It's why Vera Wang, Universal Music, and MTV are partnering with him — he is currently leading the strategic rollout of hotel concepts for both entertainment brands.

Frank Sinatra
Tony Bennett
Liza Minnelli
Diana Ross
The Beach Boys
Black Sabbath
Paul Anka
Muhammad Ali
Mike Tyson
Regis Philbin
Joan Rivers
Sergio Mendes
Fashion & Design Partnerships

Bridging Fashion & Real Estate

Charles has long integrated world-class designers into his commercial developments and philanthropic initiatives — creating assets that transcend conventional hospitality and attract premium audiences.

Vera Wang — Creative Partner, The Wagner NYC
Donna Karan — Design Collaboration
Michael Kors — Fashion Integration
Kenneth Cole — Partnership
Tommy Hilfiger — Brand Collaboration
Giving Back

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Chairman of the Board
Veteran Services USA (VSUSA)
501(c)(3) · PTSD Support & Veterans Housing
Leads this non-profit dedicated to providing comprehensive support for the nation's veterans. Actively spearheads capital campaigns for PTSD treatment, housing, and mental health resources. Integrates VSUSA's mission into Lockwood's portfolio — transforming distressed institutional assets into Veterans Centers of Excellence with permanent housing and vocational training.
Crisis Response
COVID-19 Infrastructure & Navajo Nation Aid
2020 · Illinois IEMA & Arizona
Provided emergency infrastructure to the State of Illinois (IEMA) during COVID-19. Used the Route 66 Holbrook, AZ hotel property as a humanitarian anchor for the Navajo Nation — donating rooms and food during the peak of the pandemic. Appointed native Navajo and U.S. Navy Veteran CiCi Baker as General Manager, cementing a long-term community partnership.
Veterans' Housing
Pawtucket Memorial Hospital & Marion Mall
Rhode Island & Indiana
Acquired Pawtucket Memorial Hospital campus at $500K. Master-planned $70M Veterans Housing & Education Center with 200+ veteran apartments and medical career training. Sold for $11M. Transformed Marion Mall into a Veterans-Only college campus with vocational training in hospitality, wellness, and film production. Sold at profit in 2025.