Darryl Settles Bio
WiSe Urban Development
Darryl's Corner Bar & Kitchen
BeanTown Jazz Festival
Contact

An appreciation for Boston’s diverse communities, a passion for the rich culture our vibrant city produces, and the creativity of an entrepreneurial spirit have led Darryl Settles to establish D'Ventures Limited, LLC, a business consulting and investment firm dedicated to enriching Boston life.

Tireless in his efforts to strengthen the bonds that build communities, Settles is and has been active in many civic boards and local organizations, including: the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority; Newton Economic Development Commission; Berklee College of Music Advisory Board; The Huntington Theater Board; The Museum of Fine Arts Board; City Performance Center; Massachusetts Restaurant Association Board; and the Metropolitan District Commission, Associate Commissioner.

More recently, Settles has initiated WiSe Urban Development LLC (“WiSe”) as a joint venture with executives of the Winn Companies to address the more immediate need for multi-family affordable housing in urban communities. In partnership with local non-profit owners and public and private stakeholders, WiSe is committed to creating vibrant and sustainable neighborhoods by developing attractive housing that people are proud to call “home.”

Recognizing music as a unifying force, several of Settles’ ventures have revolved around enhancing the local music scene. Most notably, he was the founder and driving force behind the establishment of the BeanTown Jazz Festival, a weekend of local and national music, food, and art (now owned and managed by Berklee College of Music.)

With professional success in a variety of fields, including: engineering; sales and marketing; real estate development; entertainment; and hospitality, Settles continues to find new ways to reenergize Boston living. This eclectic skill set produces imaginative and memorable ventures. Music and hospitality combined when Settles entered the restaurant business in 1990 with the purchase of Bob's Southern Bistro (formerly Bob the Chef's Restaurant) and more recently reinvented as Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen. Next on the horizon, in a partnership with David Schwartz of Berklee Investments, Settles’ hospitality and real estate development experience will culminate in a Back Bay boutique hotel (opening Spring 2013), offering Boston’s guests an new and exceptional destination.

If you are committed to promoting Boston, its people and its culture, and are looking for guidance, partnership or investors, D’Ventures is perfectly poised to help you take the next innovative step.