Richard Heyman is an experienced real estate developer and general contractor who specializes in hospitality, mixed-use, and multi-family development. His comprehensive knowledge enables him to fully execute complex endeavors, beginning with his initial vision through property acquisition, architecture and design, entitlements, financing, and construction.
His prescience sets him apart, as does his ability to blend style and innovation with a shrewd analysis of what constitutes a prosperous venture. Richard’s mixed-use development expertise arises from his work running a successful general construction company for over three decades, which gives him the discipline to manage all aspects of every project. His acute understanding of location, aesthetic detail, and programming have allowed him to transform communities throughout Southern California, beginning with San Diego’s Gaslamp district.
Greater Los Angeles became his focus when he built House of Blues on the Sunset Strip in the mid-1990s. He also led the redevelopment of some of the most iconic buildings in Hollywood.
As co-founder of Relevant Group in 2007, Richard and his team helped revitalize and reinvent Hollywood by playing an integral role in creating the Vinyl District. They built several prominent hotels in the area, including Dream Hollywood, which became a celebrated destination alongside TAO, Beauty & Essex, and the Highlight Room rooftop lounge. The hotel, restaurants, club — and the activation of the alley between them — created a wildly popular entertainment destination.
Long before this, Richard had seen an opportunity to create a vibrant food scene in Hollywood, and began building relationships in the hospitality world. He is responsible for bringing TAO Group Hospitality to Los Angeles, which fostered a partnership with Evan Funke to launch the renowned Mother Wolf in Citizen News Events. An influx of top tier restaurants in Hollywood and Beverly Hills has followed.
Richard has curated and launched many restaurants through joint ventures that arose from his long-standing relationships. These include TAO, a 300-seat restaurant and lounge that specializes in Pan-Asian dishes developed by Chef Ralph Scamardella; Beauty & Essex, featuring Chef Chris Santos’ signature multi-ethnic dishes; the Highlight Room rooftop lounge above Dream Hollywood; Ka’teen Los Angeles, Chef Wes Avila’s fresh take on the ancient cuisine of the Yucatan Peninsula that arose from the wildly popular Guerilla Tacos street cart; Mes Amis, a Golden Age Hollywood Brasserie by Chef Lincoln Carson; and Mother Wolf, Chef Evan Funke’s homage to Rome in Hollywood’s Citizen News Events.
Heyman Development is a team of skilled mixed-use, retail, and hospitality builders. With the strength of Richard’s 45 years of construction and development experience, Heyman Development shapes and articulates the vision, executes development, and construction, and presides over every step of the process with impeccable attention to detail. Their talents revamp each project into an exciting destination.