Hospitality Design - November 2016 - 130

new icons

the developer

michael
meldman
Founder
Discovery Land Company

Michael Meldman has described Scottsdale, Arizona-based Discovery Land
Company's residential private communities and clubs as frat houses for
families. After founding the company in 1994, he opened his first property,
Scottsdale's Estancia Club, a year later, with a focus on activities, golf, and
the ultimate luxury-uninterrupted relaxation. Last year it reported sales
exceeding $1 billion and his properties, which now number 19 throughout
the U.S., Mexico, and the Bahamas, highlight his own easygoing attitude:
unfiltered fun with none of the stuffiness of dated country clubs. Here, he
talks about working and playing hard, family-focused programming, and
bucking tradition.

Why did you start Discovery Land Company?
It started with the desire to create ways to spend time with my boys when
they were younger, specifically doing things that would create great
experiences for all of us to share. This was the foundation of my first club,
Estancia, established in 1995, and is reflected in Discovery's mission to
develop family-focused private communities in the most unique natural
settings. We call it the Discovery lifestyle. Our communities are created for
those who have spent their lives working hard and now want to enjoy their
success with their family and friends. It's a reward for their hard work-a
way to create lasting memories-with a variety of activities and options for
the entire family. This was the original vision for the company and it holds
true today.

How do you set yourself apart from your competitors?
When we develop our communities, we follow a design and style that fits
naturally within the surroundings of the specific community and its locale.
This sets each club apart from the next; no two are the same and all are
designed to reflect the local culture, tradition, and history.
Because the emphasis is on family, our amenities and programming
go beyond golf. I didn't grow up a country club kid or a golf course snob. I
wanted to create environments in which I felt comfortable, relaxed, and
free of old-fashioned rules. The numerous activities are meant to create
an environment that all members of the family will enjoy. We wanted it to
be all encompassing and inclusive. Our Outdoor Pursuits programs offer
everything from organized sports to professional-level athletic training,
hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, or educational and gardening classes,
depending on the history and culture surrounding each club.

What are some speciﬁc property highlights?
At Baker's Bay [Golf & Ocean Club] in the Bahamas, we took an untouched
island and created one of the most beautiful and serene private beach
club communities and marinas in the world. Members can experience the
ultimate Bahamian lifestyle, from fishing, boating, and lobster diving to
snorkeling, island hopping, and even feeding wild pigs.
We developed the world's only private ski (and golf) community at
the Yellowstone Club in Big Sky, Montana. No ski passes, no lines, just

El Dorado Golf & Beach Club in Los Cabos, Mexico

Silo Ridge Field Club in Amenia, New York
Photos courtesy of DISCOVERY LAND COMPANY

130

November 2016 hospitalitydesign.com
http://www.hospitalitydesign.com
Hospitality Design - November 2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Hospitality Design - November 2016
