Founder and Chief Executive, BLVD Hospitality

Blanchard founded BLVD Hospitality in 2008 with Nicolo Rusconi. He’s also the co-founder of the fast-casual restaurant chain Chicas Tacos. BLVD Hospitality, which is based in Century City, is best known for the renovation of the United Artists’ Building and Theatre into the Ace Hotel in downtown. The company recently wrapped up development on CitizenM, the first high-rise modular construction hotel ever approved in Los Angeles. It also refurbished the iconic Georgian Hotel on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. In addition to the Georgian, BLVD opened the Venice Beach location of the coworking space and social club NeueHouse.

YEARS ON THE LA500: 4