Boutique Design - Fall 2023 - 40

PHOTO: COURTESY ASPEN HOSPITALITY
How did you get started in the industry? I was working
as an architect for Polshek Partners, but saw the work
Tihany was doing on some restaurants for a building we
were working on. It looked more exciting than detailing
concrete slab details, fi guring out rainwater downpipe
locations, and all the other fun tasks a junior architect
has to do. I managed to get an interview with Adam
Tihany and showed him a portfolio that had nothing to
do with hospitality design. When I was done babbling,
he asked me why he should hire me as I did not have any
relevant experience. As I was 25 and not yet intimidated
by much, I informed him I was sure that I could do his
genre of work and do it well. I was lucky he wasn't turned
off by a fearless young woman and gave me a chance.
JUL IE FRANK
VICE PRE SIDENT OF DESIGN
ASPEN HOSPITAL ITY, COLORADO
Do you feel that you had a " big break " ? I have had many
fortunate pivots on the road. I was happily working at
AvroKO when I got the call from Starwood that they were
building a luxury design team. I had never entertained
the switch to the brand/client side. I turned to the man
who gave me my fi rst career pivot: Adam Tihany. He told
me to take the risk-that the option to go to the other side
doesn't come often and if it doesn't work, I can always
return to the design side. I never did.
What would you like to see in terms of a more inclusive
industry? The hospitality design industry has been
making very conscious efforts and quantifi able strides
with various DEI initiatives and the fostering of talent and
individuals to create a more inclusive industry. It's at the
real estate developer table where I would still like to see
more inclusion and diversity of representation.
Best advice you've received? Always have a mentor you can
turn to for career advice. I have several wonderful and
wise mentors and peers who are always a text away. Also,
always mentor others. I never refuse a request for advice,
a chat, or coffee with more junior coworkers or others
looking to pivot to the owner side. I benefi ted from that
kindness and welcome the opportunity to pay it back.
Advice for a strong client/designer relationship? We're
all working to the same goal-a beautiful (on budget) and
functional project. Pushback from both sides is healthy,
as out of the friction often comes the best results. But
most importantly-on both sides-always stay respectful.
Other advice for up-and-comers? Don't be shy. We were
all starting out at some point, so reach out to the person
who's where you want to be and ask them for guidance.
We learn from mentoring as much as we do from being
mentored. Also, when the opportunity for the unknown
presents itself, take it. You know what you can do, but you
never know what you can't until you try.
What are you most looking forward to at Aspen
Hospitality? The hotel we are working on in Rockefeller
Center is exciting for so many reasons-as an architect
getting to work in this iconic building and as a New
Yorker, leading the way and being the fi rst project to go
through the adaptive reuse permit process that will help
reshape the city is an exciting opportunity. To ultimately
bring this iconic, beautiful, and unique hotel to the city I
call home is an honor.
If you weren't in your current role, what would you be
doing? I want to own a coffee/pastry shop where I make
fresh baked goods and everything is for sale (the food,
the furniture, the crockery, and the cutlery), so I can
continually redesign it. I am going to call it Here and the
tagline will be 'You are exactly where you need to be.' Can
you tell I have given this some thought?
THE LOBBY AT ASPEN HOSP I TAL I T Y ' S LIMEL I GHT DENVER HOTEL
40
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Boutique Design - Fall 2023

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