Q&A With David Southworth of Southworth Development

Southworth Development, based in Newtown, Massachusetts, specializes in residential resort and hospitality-branded real estate development. The company, which holds value in its ability to “identify extraordinary sites and then create unique, high end and personally nourishing communities,” is led by CEO David Southworth. We spoke with Southworth, who provided further insight on his company, projects, inspiration and more.

UH: What inspired you to get into development?

DS: Getting into resort-type real estate development was my opportunity to combine two things I really loved – hospitality and real estate. I was born and raised in Scottsdale, Arizona and was used to seeing resorts and real estate development and it struck me as a much better way of life than constantly being office-bound. It wasn’t until a few years into this type of development that I realized how much I also enjoyed the community building and what that meant to people.

UH: How was Southworth Development founded?

DS: In 1991, Paul Fireman of Reebok International fame, and I met and he hired me to help him develop a residential resort-type community in Cape Cod called Willowbend. Two years later, we formed a partnership and the developing continued to this day. In 2005, Paul wanted to slow his life down so we split up the company and I renamed it Southworth Development. Two years later, a dear friend of mine, Joe Deitch, bought half the company and we’ve remained partners since.

UH: What makes your company stand out amongst others?

DS: I truly believe it’s that we care so much. We care about how our employees feel and how they are treated, we care about our reputation and our work product, we care about our residents, members and guests and to a fault, we worry more about tomorrow than we do today.

UH: What has been your favorite project of your career thus far?

DS: There really is no one project that sticks out. They’ve all been and are special in certain ways. Some made more money than others, some I live at and call home, and of course Willowbend is special because it was the first – but they are all beautiful destinations and communities and I have formed so many friendships amongst the residents, members and staff that I truly love them all.

UH: Who or what inspires your designs?

DS: It’s a combination of things but in the end, you get a vision in your head and the process begins. I’ve always been a student of design, architecture, landscaping and master planning and as we combine those elements, we look to create communities that appeal to people’s fantasies and inner senses. It’s the creative side of the business that I really enjoy and because I have that mental outlet and stimulation, I’ve never needed a therapist.

UH: Can you tell me a bit about your most recent projects?

DS: Our most recent project is The Abaco Club, located on the island of Abaco in The Bahamas. It’s an amazing setting that features one of the prettiest beaches I’ve ever seen! In addition, the community has The Bahamas #1 ranked golf course, a spectacular bay, ocean front property, amenities galore and soon… a marina. I’ve described the community as having “everything money can’t buy”.