Today, as President and CEO of David L. Wallace and Associates, P.A., David L. Wallace, Jr. acts as Principal-in-charge of the majority of dlw’s projects. David’s leadership and influence were instrumental in changing the overall focus of the firm, when he and his father reformulated the firm’s strategy after the national tragedy of September 11th and its immediate implications on the hospitality development industry. It was through these trying times that dlw architects began taking on more diverse projects including a substantial volume of condominium and mixed use projects, bringing the combined forces of both Wallace’s experiences and education to the Development Industry and quickly establishing a reputation for project delivery on time and on budget, achieved through the firm’s unique approach to Design Development, customer service and tremendous depth of construction knowledge and understanding. Mr. Wallace continues working in the condominium, retail, resort, mixed use and hospitality arenas where he has proven to be a leader as well as a respected and knowledgeable resource for the industry at large, not just as an Architect, but with a detailed understanding of development, finances, construction and operations, as well.
With Hotel and Resort Design and Development such a major influence on David L. Wallace, Jr’s upbringing, it was no surprise when he started working for the firm in the Reprographics Department at a young age. Even in those early years David exhibited a passion for knowledge and problem solving, and he took advantage of the opportunity and experience surrounding him to learn and develop his own unique perspective on the industry. Rounding out his education with a degree from the world-renowned Architectural School at the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville, David joined the firm on a full-time basis while still at the University in 1992, in addition to working construction jobs during his summer breaks from the rigors of Architectural School.
Under his leadership, David L. Wallace & Associates produces Design, Architecture and Engineering of mid-to-large-scale Hotels, Resorts, Multi-family, Senior Independent and Assisted Living Facilities, Office, Retail, Entertainment and Mixed Use Projects for numerous independent and franchise developers and in geographic locations around the globe. David Wallace, Jr. has been featured as a speaker and technical expert to the hospitality, development and construction industries, with the dlw architects team maintaining an average of over $100 million worth of development under construction at any given moment.
With a lifetime in the industry, David L. Wallace, Jr. has been involved with the design and development of over one thousand buildings and structures, including resorts, hotels, casinos, motels, residential, office parks, retail, restaurant, government work and civic projects. With a commitment to Professional Service and Quality, David is known for his proactive approach to problem solving and resolution that takes into account the goals of the client and the creative aspect of the profession. This commitment to work at every level of development –from programming to schematic design to accurate construction documentation –is an important aspect to the process and an integral characteristic in creating a successful development team. David is also a proud member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and has worked on green building design projects.
With a history spanning over five decades of Design, Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Development, Mr. Wallace brings incredible depth and creativity to the development team for any type of project. His long-standing reputation for honesty, integrity and commitment have contributed heavily to bringing projects in on-time and on-budget, all of which has earned him the respect of the global development community.
Starting in September 1965, David L. Wallace went to work for the world-renowned, award-winning hotel architecture firm of William W. Bond and Associates. While working with Bond, Mr. Wallace was involved with nearly every franchise in the industry and built a professional, one-on-one relationship with the famous hotelier and founder of Holiday Inns, Kemmons Wilson.
In 1975, David L. Wallace, along with eight other employees of William W. Bond, assisted William Bond in closing the architectural and engineering offices so that Mr. Bond could pursue new endeavors. These nine former employees formed a new corporation, Archeon, of which Wallace was a minority owner. This organization continued the rich heritage of the Bond firm and went on to perform Architectural and Engineering services on innumerable resort, hotel and motel projects worldwide.
In April 1981, David L. Wallace resigned and sold his interest in the corporation to his partners. Through hard work and dedication, he started what is today one of the largest and most respected hotel architectural firms in the United States, David L. Wallace & Associates, P.A. Mr. Wallace continues working in the hotel and hospitality arena where he has proven to be a leader as well as a respected and knowledgeable resource for the industry at large, both as an Architect and as a Developer.
David L. Wallace & Associates, P. A. grew from a two man office in 1981 to a 38 member staff in two locations: Memphis, Tennessee and Tampa Bay in 1996. Continuing today, David L. Wallace & Associates creates Architecture for a wide range of customers and project types, including every major franchise and in geographic locations around the globe. Combined, the Wallaces are licensed in approximately forty-five states, and David L. Wallace Jr. continues to be a speaker and technical expert to the industry.
Practicing architecture for over fifty years, David L. Wallace has been involved with the design and development of countless buildings and structures, including resorts, hotels, casinos, motels, office parks, retail, restaurant, government work and civic projects. His work overseas on various European and international projects has given him unique understanding, enhancing his ability to adapt to new locales, new sites, new clients and cultures and a myriad of requirements. Mr. Wallace feels that the ability to work at every level of development – from programming to schematic design to accurate construction documentation – is an important skill in architecture, necessary in creating a successful development team. He is also a member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.