John J. Lyons, Principal
management team
John has pursued an active career for over 25 years in real estate by creating value across a spectrum of properties. He has formulated strategic positioning for specific properties as well as acquisitions, developments, financing and dispositions.
Since forming Lyons Realty Advisors, Mr. Lyons has enjoyed developing several new projects including a 500 room Westin Hotel in Lombard, and The Clare, a 53 story mixed use senior project on Loyola’s Water Tower Campus.
Previously, John spent 19 years with Hyatt Development Corporation in a variety of positions, most recently as Vice President. His experience includes deal origination through opening. He was responsible for site selection, due diligence, purchase negotiation, municipal incentives/entitlements, project financing, easements, leases and design/construction. John directed the development of the mixed–use Park Hyatt on Chicago’s North Michigan Avenue, as well as a number of joint ventures including Hyatt’s first senior and timeshare developments. Mr. Lyons has overseen more than 10,000,000 SF and $1 billion in developments.
He spent the early years of his career in construction with one of the US’s largest contractors, Morse Diesel (now AMEC), and directed numerous construction projects while based in the Chicago and New York offices.
Mr. Lyons attended Cornell University where he earned a BS in Engineering and the University of Bridgeport where he studied in their graduate School of Business.
Community Activities:
- Lambda Alpha Association of Land Economics - Chicago Chapter Moard Member
- Greater North Michigan Avenue – Zoning Rewrite Task Force
- Real Estate Investment Association
- Past President of Community Youth Center
Development Experience
The following is a representative list of projects that have been personally managed by John Lyons.
Current Projects
Westin Hotel and Conference Center
Location: Lombard, IL
Use: Hotel, Conference Center, Harry Caray’s Restaurant
Scope: 500 Rooms, 50,000 sf conference
Cost: $170 million
Schubert Theater & Hampton Hotel
Location: Chicago, IL
Use: Renovation of Landmark theater and conversion of office to hotel
Scope: 135 room Hampton
Cost: $40 million
Hyatt Grand Victoria Hotel and Casino
Location: Rising Sun, IN
Use: Hotel and Riverboat Casino
Scope: 200 guest room and meeting space expansion
Cost: $40 million
The Clare
Location: Chicago, IL
Use: Senior CCRC 53 stories 760,000 sf
Scope: 250 ILU, ALF, SNF, Loyola classrooms
Cost: $240 million
The Briarcliff Manor Club
Location: Briarcliff Manor, NY
Use: Senior CCRC on 56 acres with master site plan
Scope: 280 ILU, ALF, SNF units
Nashville Convention Center Hotel Feasibility Study
Location: Nashville, TN
Use: 1,000 Room Convention Center Hotel
Scope: 1,000 Rooms
Completed projects prior to the formation of Lyons Realty Advisors
Park Tower
Location: Chicago, IL
Use: Park Hyatt Hotel, Luxury Condos, Luxury Retail, Parking
Scope: 830,000 SF, 67 stories
Cost: $270 million
Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort
Location: Naples, FL
Use: Conference Hotel, 27 hole course, 350 unit timeshare, Marina, Spa
Scope: 579 acres
Cost: $150 million
Classic Residence – by Hyatt
Location: Teaneck, NJ
Use: Retirement Community
Scope: 222 ILU
680 Lake Shore Drive
Location: Chicago, IL
Use: Condo, Retail, Office, Parking
Scope: 2 million SF, Adaptive Re–Use
Cost: $150 million
Mt. Sinai School of Medicine
Location: New York, NY
Use: Dormitory
Scope: 15 Stories
Hawthorn Suites
Location: Edina, MN; Orlando, FL; Lincolnshire, IL
Use: Extended Stay Hotels
Scope: 400 rooms
Cost: $33 million
Hyatt Regency – Greenwich
Location: Greenwich, CT
Use: Conference Hotel
Scope: 450 rooms
Cost: $52 million