Case Studies

Hilton Inn Columbia, Columbia | MD

If you were living in Columbia in 1980, you’d find only one hotel. Owned by The Rouse Company, The Columbia Inn was basically the only place to have a casual dinner, go to a meeting, put up guests and family members, or have a cocktail.

One evening Anthony Souza, our Founder & CEO, was at The Columbia Inn for dinner with his wife, Roseanne, celebrating their Anniversary with their friends.  After this experience and returning home, Anthony kept asking himself an obvious question.

Why don’t we have another hotel in this young and rapidly developing suburban city? A first-class hotel...like a 4 Star Hotel where so much more can go on. We’ll build it and they will come because of this substantial growth rate.

So, just over 3 years later in May of 1982, the The Hilton Inn Columbia celebrated it’s Grand Opening! With 152 Guest Rooms, The Atrium, The Pool, The Gallery, The Club, Banquet Rooms for Weddings, Anniversary Parties, Reunions, Meeting Rooms for Corporations, Businesses, Non-Profits and more, The Hilton Inn Columbia was setting several major sales records.

Sunday Brunch, Friday night Seafood Buffets, the beginning of a DJ’s world in The Club, table-side flambé cooking in The Gallery, and strolling musicians throughout, The Hilton Inn Columbia became the place to be…even though during the process of concept, design, development, and construction The Rouse Company worked aggressively to block the competition. But Souza didn’t let that get in the way. With knowledge, understanding, compassion, determination, expertise, and everything else that was needed, the Hilton Inn Columbia in Columbia, MD came into existence against this aggressive and public opposition from The Rouse Company.

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Maryland Eastern Shore Living, Denton | MD

Love the water? The Ocean? The Bay? Have to drive for hours and hours to get there? Anthony Souza, our Founder & CEO, grew up on the water on Cape Cod.  But living far away from Cape Cod in the 80ties made him think about what he might do to help others be closer to the water, to nature, to boating facilities, to shoreline breezes, and to abundant sunshine.

Maryland has miles and miles of shoreline…almost 200 miles. If you include the tidal portions of the Chesapeake Bay tributaries, the estuary covers around 4,480 square miles. Living on the Eastern Shore of Maryland is very special. That’s why Souza wanted to help increase the number of homes on the Eastern Shore so many more people could enjoy what Maryland’s Eastern Shore has to offer.

So, Maryland Eastern Shore Living was born. Yes, there were houses on the Eastern Shore and some very close to or on the water. Yet, when looking around more on the Eastern Shore, Anthony realized that there were not any planned residential developments in progress at the time in Denton, Maryland.

Two very special housing developments – Double Hills Estates and Wrights Choice – were conceived, designed, developed and brought to Denton, Maryland…a central location on the Eastern Shore where residents could explore the Atlantic Ocean, the Chesapeake Bay, it’s tributaries, and so very much more.

Oh, and by the way, Wrights Choice was developed and conceived to help first-time homebuyers actually be able to afford their very first home! The Souza inspiration to devote time, effort, energy, and passion to develop a residential community that wasn’t expensive – just simply comfortable and affordable – is testimony to seeing a project to completion far before it begins.

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Homeland Professional Center, Annapolis | MD

Driving up and down West Street in Annapolis, MD, Anthony Souza, our Founder & CEO, discovered something waiting for action. A real estate project that was flat on its feet and not be accepted by the community. Why? Well, the commercial land was right next door to a thriving residential community and the neighbors didn’t want to deal with a business development based on the plans and structure that were on the drawing board. 

So, Souza got involved. Purchasing the land with a partner from the owner, Souza internalized what had been done to date, studied it thoroughly and came up with a solution that won the day.

Homeland Professional Center needed to look like Home. A home that complimented the environment, brought nature into play, smiled on the community, and made the entire area look like it had been built together, at the same time, but new and inspiring. It worked.  The community joined in the fun and Homeland stands today as a real estate development project that won the hearts and minds of the Condo Owners (who now don’t have to pay rent every month), the Residents who adopted the theme “we love it”, and so much else.

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