In 2001, Kate moved to Philadelphia to attend Moore College of Art & Design, a women-only institution, where she received her bachelors of fine arts in 2005. While studying, she assisted the construction manager of the hospitality powerhouse, Starr Restaurants. In the evenings, she was waiting tables and slinging cocktails at Starr’s first restaurant, the Continental. That real life experience has proven to be invaluable, and informs so many of her hospitality projects to date.
Kate started her professional career in 2005 with a Philadelphia-based, female-owned hospitality firm, Daroff Design. In 2008, she began working alongside the owner of a small boutique Hospitality Studio. Her time at these companies gave her the distinct pleasure of working with some of the best in the business; BR Guest restaurants, Starwood Capital Group, Tower Investments, Michael Mina Restaurants, MGM Grand, Starr Restaurants, LDV Hospitality, the Ritz-Carlton clubs in St.Thomas and Aspen, Ontario Lottery & Gaming Casinos, Philadelphia International Airport, and Comcast executives.
Kate started Rohe Creative in 2014 . In a few short years, she has created Bud & Marilyn’s, Lapstone & Hammer, Double Knot, Harp & Crown, Louie Louie, White Dog Parlour Bar, Cheu Fishtown, Nunu and Monkitail at the Diplomat Resort. Currently, she is working on the highly anticipated concept hotel, C. Baldwin, at Houston’s Allen Center, that is being led by female creatives and Brookfield Properties. With her all female team by her side they are also working on high-end residential projects with a major real estate developer, a small boutique hotel concept in Cape May, and her dream project; a truly unique blend of hospitality and home office for director and screenwriter, M. Night Shyamalan.
Kate is passionate about all aspects of design, process and business, but nothing tops her love for vintage and antiques. It is her endless source of inspiration. Rohe Creative specializes in curated, highly detailed and concept-driven spaces. They are not tied to any design style or period, and very much enjoy taking a step back before thoughtfully approaching a new project. Immersing and educating themselves in new subjects is part of their standard practice in order to create something unique; a project that tells its own story.
Look out for Rohe Creative’s self-propelled brand, ROHEHOUSE, being introduced this summer 2019. Kate will use her design practices to build upon her hospitality past and create a collective of experiences all her own.