Celebrating Life
At Southworth Development, we never lose sight of the fact that the things that matter most in life can’t be bought and sold. What matters most is the joy that we see on our residents’ faces and the lifelong memories created every day in our communities, clubs, and resorts.
In our 25 years in business, Southworth has earned a global reputation for stability, integrity, and for providing great value. We’ve achieved this standing by staying true to our core philosophy, by celebrating life in everything we do — and helping our customers celebrate life to the fullest, too, by offering them our best every day. It’s an attitude that sets us apart, and one that we believe will always serve to make life better for everyone.
Here are a few of the highlights from our more than a quarter-century in business:
1991
David Southworth joins with Paul Fireman, of Reebok International fame, as Willowbend Development is born. Willowbend’s first project is its namesake private club located on Cape Cod.
1992
Willowbend opens to widespread acclaim. Heralded as a club that’s truly “for everyone,” Willowbend breaks with tradition in many ways and positions itself solidly as a place where the quality of the experience is what matters versus the norms of the day.
1994
Willowbend Development joins with Tishman Realty & Construction to acquire and develop the 600-room Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort in Puerto Rico.
1996
Willowbend Development acquires national brokerage & consulting firm Golf Realty Advisors. The move adds to Willowbend’s expertise across a wide range of businesses and brings new capabilities to the Willowbend Development team.
1996
Rio Mar in Puerto Rico opens with great fanfare.
1996
Demand for our services takes a new turn. Willowbend Development concludes its first decade in business as a resort golf development company and adds to its capabilities the management of upscale golf resorts on behalf of other owners.
1997
Willowbend Development wins the rights to acquire and develop Liberty National Golf Club on New York Harbor. This iconic property goes on to host multiple PGA Tour events, including the 2017 President’s cup.
1999
Ocean Villas opens – a 113-unit condominium project adjacent to The Westin Rio Mar. This new real estate product adds to Rio Mar’s momentum and cements its spot as the place to live and visit in Puerto Rico.
1999
Willowbend Development buys a half-interest in a previously failed community in Tucson, Az. named Starr Pass. A four-year plan is drafted to create Tucson’s best-ever resort community, with unprecedented amenities and a luxury lifestyle unique to the Sonoran Desert.
2000
Willowbend Development acquires a minority interest and development rights in a to-be-developed upscale resort in Puerto Rico called Coco Beach. Plans call for luxurious accommodations, real estate offerings, and two championship golf courses.
2003
The 575-room JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort opens in Willowbend Development’s Tucson community to widespread acclaim.
2005
As Paul Fireman takes a step towards retirement, Willowbend Development is split between David Southworth & Paul and is renamed Southworth Development. Paul retains ownership of Liberty National and Willowbend, while David retains Coco Beach. Southworth Development is hired by Paul to manage his interests in Rio Mar and Starr Pass and to construction-manage Liberty National.
2006
David Southworth’s longtime friend, Joe Deitch, joins Southworth Development as Chairman and Co-Owner. A true visionary, Joe is the Founder and Chairman of Commonwealth Financial Network, America’s largest independent broker-dealer firm with over $150 billion under management.
2006
After launching the resort and 12 hugely successful years in which it became the crown jewel of the burgeoning resort scene in Puerto Rico, Southworth sells The Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort.
2006
Southworth Development purchases a controlling interest in Meredith Bay, a 600-unit resort-style gated community on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire.
2007
Four years after the debut of the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort, Southworth capitalizes on its strong momentum and premiere position in the marketplace, and the property is sold.
2007
Southworth assumes ownership of The Village at Machrihanish Dunes and begins accumulating award after award from magazines and organizations the world over who are impressed by the resort’s luxurious accommodations, unique links golf course, and its warm Scottish welcome.
2008
Southworth Development purchases Renaissance Golf Club (now just “Renaissance”), a private golf club featuring an acclaimed Brian Silva Signature golf course in Haverhill, Mass. It later adds an award-winning clubhouse and a range of other first-class amenities.
2009
Southworth Development acquires Creighton Farms, a 964-acre luxury residential club community located in the rolling hills of horse country in Aldie, Va., just west of Washington, D.C. The property, formally a Ritz Carlton community, features an award-winning Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.
2009
Southworth is hired to construction-manage and operate a new golf resort on Scotland’s southwest coast—The Village at Machrihanish Dunes, consisting of Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club, The Ugadale Hotel and Cottages, The Royal Hotel, and five food and beverage outlets.
2009
Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club, The Ugadale Cottages, and The Old Clubhouse Pub open for business. The next year, its Ugadale Cottages are named “Hotel of the Year (Small Hotel Category)” by Scottish Golf Tourism.
2009
Renaissance debuts its 34,000-square foot clubhouse, replete with grille room, locker rooms, nine clubrooms for overnight stays, fitness center, and a spectacular ballroom that quickly becomes one of the Greater Boston area’s most sought-after wedding venues.
2012
Grand Opening celebrations are held to commemorate the restorations and re-openings of the 22-room Royal Hotel overlooking picturesque Campbeltown Harbour, and the 23-room Ugadale Hotel, which serves as the centerpiece of The Village at Machrihanish Dunes.
2012
Southworth Development comes home again as it purchases Willowbend, the renowned Cape Cod club community where David Southworth got his start, from Paul Fireman.
2014
In partnership with a consortium of club members and residents, Southworth acquires The Abaco Club on Winding Bay, a private international sporting club located on Great Abaco Island in The Bahamas, formally a Ritz Carlton community.
2017
Southworth assumes full ownership of The Abaco Club on Winding Bay.
2019
Matt Deitch and Tommy Southworth take on day-to-day leadership of Southworth Development as Managing Principal and President, respectively.
2020
Joe Deitch acquires 100% ownership of Southworth Development, and continues to serve as company Chairman.
