AJ Capital Partners
Adventurous Journeys Capital Partners ("AJ Capital Partners") is an American real estate company based in Nashville, TN with a portfolio that focuses on the hospitality, mixed-use, and residential sectors.[1][2][3]
History
AJ Capital Partners was founded by Ben Weprin,[4] the current CEO, in 2008.[2][3] Other projects have included restorations of existing hotels and development of new properties, several located in Chicago and Nashville, such as Chicago Athletic Association, Soho House Chicago, Thompson Chicago and Hotel Lincoln, as well as Thompson Nashville.[5][6][7][2][8]
In 2012, AJ Capital Partners collaborated with Soho House Group to develop a rubber belt factory in Chicago's West Loop into a Soho House, an urban, members only club and hotel.[1][2][9]
The company launched the Graduate Hotels chain in 2014, later selling it to Hilton Worldwide in 2024.[10][11]
In 2021, AJ Capital Partners announced Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts, a collection of bespoke properties located adjacent to the world’s most distinguished golf courses. The platform includes Rusacks St Andrews overlooking the Old Course in Scotland.
In 2023, AJ Capital Partners announced Memoir Residential, a novel approach to contemporary urban living, and Field & Stream Lodge Co., a joint venture with Starwood Capital Group backed by the legacy and expertise of the Field & Stream brand.
In 2024, AJ Capital sold Graduate Hotels to Hilton Worldwide, retaining ownership of all real estate for the existing hotels. The company additionally continues to operate all hotels. Further, in 2024, AJ Capital announced the acquisition and restoration of Coral Sands Inn & Cottages, an iconic property on Harbour Island in the Bahamas.[12]
Additional active projects include Wedgewood Village in Nashville, TN[13]; Belle Meade Village in Nashville, TN[14]; Little River in Miami, FL[15]; and more.
Awards
- Condé Nast Traveller Gold List 2026 – Coral Sands Inn & Cottages[16]
- Fast Company Most Innovative Companies of 2025 – AJ Capital Partners[17]
- Travel + Leisure 100 Best New Hotels 2024 – Slieve Donard – Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts[18]
- Travel + Leisure 100 Best New Hotels 2022 – Rusacks St Andrews – Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts[19]
- Fast Company Most Innovative Companies of 2018 – Graduate Hotels[20]
- Inc. Magazine 2017 Design Awards, Best Interior Design – Graduate Hotels[21]
- Fast Company Most Innovative Companies of 2016 – AJ Capital Partners[22]
- Urban Land Institute Chicago’s Catalytic Redevelopment 2016 – Chicago Athletic Association[23]
- James Beard Foundation Outstanding Restaurant Design Finalist 2016 – Cherry Circle Room – Chicago Athletic Association[24]
- James Beard Foundation Outstanding Restaurant Design Finalist 2016 – Cindy’s – Chicago Athletic Association[24]
- National Trust for Historic Preservation Driehaus Preservation Award 2015 – Chicago Athletic Association[25]
References
- ^ a b Grossman, Evan (June 8, 2015). "How AJ Capital is Developing a Unique Value Proposition". Lodging.
- ^ a b c d Brown, Adam (January 4, 2016). "The revivalist: A young hotelier with an eye for an aged luxury gem". Forbes.
- ^ a b Gallun, Alby (October 24, 2015). "Ben Weprin is behind some of Chicago's most stylish hotels. Here's his latest obsession". Chicago Business.
- ^ "New Icons". Hospitality Design Magazine. November 2016.
- ^ Gallun, Alby (July 28, 2015). "In hot hotel market will Thompson Chicago sell for record price?". Chicago Business.
- ^ Betts, Kate (April 14, 2016). "Hotelier Ben Weprin on the Best Rooms and Old Jeeps". The Wall Street Journal.
- ^ Rudnansky, Ryan (May 29, 2015). "Chicago Athletic Association reopens as luxury boutique hotel". TravelPulse.
- ^ "Luxury St Andrews hotel Rusacks sold to American firm". www.scotsman.com. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
- ^ Ori, Ryan (July 26, 2013). "Soho House Hotel developers plan office conversion nearby". Chicago Business.
- ^ Hochman, David (February 16, 2018). "A college town hotel chain that is the anti-Airbnb". CNBC. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
- ^ Karmin, Craig (March 14, 2024). "Hilton Bets on College Towns With $210 Million Deal".
- ^ "AJ Capital Partners Announces Acquisition and Restoration of Iconic Coral Sands Hotel". Breaking Travel News. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
- ^ Staff, T. R. D. (February 28, 2024). "AJ Capital unveils mixed-use project in Nashville's Wedgewood-Houston". The Real Deal. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
- ^ "AJ Capital unveils first renderings of luxury residences at Belle Meade Village". Nashville Business Journal. April 16, 2025. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
- ^ Echikson, Julia (December 8, 2021). "AJ Capital Buys Little River Portfolio in Miami for $80M". Commercial Observer. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
- ^ "The best hotels and resorts in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean: The Gold List 2026". Condé Nast Traveller. December 15, 2025.
- ^ "These are the 10 most innovative companies in travel and hospitality". Fast Company. March 18, 2025.
- ^ "The 100 Best New Hotels of the Year". Travel + Leisure. April 18, 2024.
- ^ "It List 2022: Our Editors' Picks of the Best New Hotels in the World". Travel + Leisure. April 12, 2022.
- ^ "The World's 50 Most Innovative Companies". Fast Company. February 20, 2018.
- ^ "This College-Town Hotel Chain Is Putting Airbnb on Notice". Inc. Magazine. May 15, 2017.
- ^ "Most Innovative Companies 2016". Fast Company. February 16, 2026.
- ^ "Twelve projects and programs, 1 young visionary named winners of ULI Chicago's 2016 Vision Awards". REJournals.com. June 3, 2016.
- ^ a b "Take a Look Inside the 2016 James Beard Award Nominees for Restaurant Design". Architectural Digest. April 1, 2016.
- ^ "3 Chicago Structures to Get Landmark Awards". NBCChicago.com. September 11, 2015.