Completed Developments

The Company’s principals and core brain trust have over 100 years of combined professional experience in the hospitality and restaurant industry. Moreover, they have a diverse brand portfolio and have been utilized in the industry as a consulting resources.

previously located at 307 Amsterdam Avenue • NYC

Come early to beat this funky, raucous West Side buppie nightspot; known as much as its atmosphere and celeb clientele as for its hearty Soul Food.

– Zagat Review

 

Co-owned and Operated: Michael Vann rebranded a local Upper Westside New York Bar and created the world-renowned Shark Bar restaurant. His vision and expertise secured the Shark Bar as one of the premiere restaurants serving upscale soul food in America during the 1990s, with the brand expanding into Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles.

previously located at 444 W. 42nd Street • NYC

A cool, hip crowd heads to west Midtown to try this newcomers outrageous portions of tasty upscale African-American Soul Food; chic décor and live music are pluses.

– Zagat Review

 

Co-owned and operated:  Soul Café, formerlly located on 42nd Street, became the premiere supper club showcasing top entertainment from 1996-1999, including Erykah Badu, The Gap Band, Isaac Hayes, Stevie Wonder, Snoop Dog & Charlie Wilson, Lisa Fischer, Roy Hargrove & Vinx to name a few. Soul Café was also featured in the blockbuster hit “The Best Man”, starring Taye Diggs and Morris Chestnut.

An animated mix of hip-hop and budget yuppie soul food fuels this dress your best East Village scene; while the Caribe-Southern calories have takers, they’re a diversion from the live DJ (on weekends) and sexy crowd”.

– Zagat Review

 

Co-owner:  The sister restaurant to Shark Bar with its mature crowd, Mekka was created to capture a more casual downtown hip crowd that dwelled in the emerging lower east side in the mid 1990’s. It was frequented by young celebrities of its day, and was well known for its cool backyard dining area.

It’s official. Foxwoods Resort Casino has soul. Soul “food”, that is. Southern dishes like fried chicken and waffles, collard greens and catfish, and shrimp and grits are on the menu…”

– The Day Newspaper (CT)

 

Lead Consultant: UrbanAcres’ founder, Michael Vann was very instrumental in helping founder Carl Redding transform Amy Ruth’s restaurant into a nationally recognized brand and one of the best restaurants in its niche category.  In 2004, he successfully spearheaded and negotiated a license agreement between Amy Ruth’s and Foxwoods Resort Casino.

A Caribbean-Soul Food happening with Sean Combs (aka Puffy) as Managing Partner, this handsome, red awning Chelsea newcomer next to Tramps music club is one to watch for its Southern food and music industry client’s; buppies love it

– Zagat Review

 

Lead Development Consultant: Sought out by hip-hop mogul Sean “Puffy” Combs, UrbanAcres’ founder successfully designed and implemented a strategy for Justin’s in New York City, secured its location, spearheaded the design team and hired the key managerial team. 

Located in Atlantic City on Atlantic Avenue

Start with the good stuff: Redding’s — famous for its unique southern cuisine — brings a ray of hope and promise to a long-blighted urban neighborhood. For that alone they deserve the highest praise.

– Atlantic City Weekly

 

Lead Consultant: Chef and proprietor Carl S. Redding officially opened Redding’s Restaurant in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 2010. This “2 million” dollar establishment was no competition for the Harlem native, as he formally owned and operated Amy Ruth’s Restaurant on West 116 street in Harlem, New York. Redding’s Restaurant has been widely regarded as the best casual dining experience in Atlantic City.

Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd and 135th Street • NYC

Lead Consultant: Mr. Vann was hired as a consultant by the Abyssinian Development Corporation to conduct a feasibility study for the IHOP restaurant on 135th& Adam Clayton Powell. He was responsible for completing an operational assessment that identified key problems, which lead to a successful turnaround of the operation.