DesignWise
DesignWise, founded in 1992 and based in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, is a privately held interior design, FF&E procurement, installation, construction, and project management firm serving independent hotel owners and major hospitality brands across the United States.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersWhite Bear Lake, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What DesignWise does
DesignWise, Inc. is a privately held hospitality interior design firm headquartered in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, founded in 1992 as a furniture procurement company and grown into a multi-service design, procurement, and project management provider. The company serves independent hotel owners and major hotel brands including Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Hyatt, Radisson, Wyndham, Choice Hotels, Best Western, and GrandStay, with work performed across the United States despite a Midwest operational base. Its service portfolio spans six integrated offerings: Interior Design, Procurement, Installation, Construction & Demolition, Project Management (including Owners' Representation), and Hotel Brand Partnerships, with an affiliated real estate advisory service through MarketPointe.
The underlying technology consists of FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment) procurement networks with just-in-time delivery and staged warehousing capabilities, project management platforms that serve as a single point of contact from creative concept through final installation, and installation scheduling systems aligned with inventory logistics. The company's core technology differentiator is interoperability between design, procurement, installation, and construction workflows, enabling turnkey execution rather than fragmented vendor coordination. There is no proprietary software product, no API surface, and no disclosed technology platform beyond operational tooling.
DesignWise generates revenue through professional services fees for design, project management, installation, and construction work, supplemented by transaction-based procurement margins on FF&E sourcing. Pricing is project-based and quote-driven, not publicly disclosed, and varies by scope, property type, and client requirements. Go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales targeting hotel property owners, brand representatives, and commercial property decision-makers. The customer base is concentrated in hospitality (hotels, restaurants, casinos) with secondary exposure to commercial real estate. The company self-describes as the Midwest's largest and most trusted hospitality interior design firm, supported by industry awards from the Minnesota Lodging Association and ASID/AIA.
DesignWise firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DesignWise
- Legal name
- DesignWise, Inc.
- Website
- https://designwiseinteriors.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- DesignWise, founded in 1992 and based in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, is a privately held interior design, FF&E procurement, installation, construction, and project management firm serving independent hotel owners and major hospitality brands across the United States.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DesignWise industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Hospitality Interior Design Services
- NAICS
- Interior Design Services (541410)
- SIC
- Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Hospitality & Entertainment Venue Construction (IMAFACAC)
Keywords
Where DesignWise is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- White Bear Lake
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
DesignWise business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Interior Design Services: Full-service interior design for hospitality environments including space planning, finish selection, FF&E specification, and construction documentation.
- Procurement Services: Procurement of furniture, fixtures, and equipment through established vendor relationships for hospitality and commercial interiors.
- Installation Services: Installation coordination and management through industry-leading installation specialists, with just-in-time delivery and warehousing capabilities.
- Construction & Demolition Services: Turnkey demolition and construction services for remodels and additions, including liquidation of old FF&E.
- Project Management & Owners' Representation: Project management services acting as dedicated contact point, plus Owners' Representation services acting on behalf of owners with general contractors, architects, and lodging brands.
- Real Estate Advisory Services (via MarketPointe): Commercial real estate and development strategy services through affiliate organization MarketPointe.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
DesignWise product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DesignWise is an interior design, FF&E procurement, installation, and project management firm serving the hospitality industry. Founded in 1992 and headquartered in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, the company delivers turnkey design-to-installation solutions for hotels, restaurants, casinos, and commercial properties, with additional offerings in construction/demolition, hotel brand coordination, and real estate advisory through its MarketPointe affiliate.
Product overview
DesignWise offers a comprehensive suite of interior design, procurement, installation, and project management services for the hospitality and commercial industries. The company's integrated service model provides clients with a single point of contact for all their interior needs. Core services include Interior Design (for hospitality environments), Procurement (FF&E sourcing through trusted vendor network), Installation (with industry specialists), Construction & Demolition (remodels and additions), Project Management (from concept to installation, including Owners' Representation), and Hotel Brand Partnerships (navigating brand standards). An affiliated service, MarketPointe Real Estate Advisory Services, provides commercial real estate and development strategy. The company was founded in 1992 and serves independent hotel owners and major hospitality brands including Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Hyatt, Radisson, Wyndham, Choice Hotels, and Best Western.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Interior Design Full-service interior design for hospitality properties including hotels, restaurants, casinos, and commercial spaces, delivered to owners, operators, and developers.
- FF&E Procurement Sourcing and procurement of furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) for hospitality projects, consolidating vendor management for property owners and operators.
- Installation Services On-site installation of designed interiors and procured FF&E for hospitality properties, coordinated as part of the company's turnkey delivery.
- Construction & Demolition Construction and demolition services supporting renovation and build-out projects for hospitality and commercial properties.
- Project Management End-to-end project management of hospitality interior build-outs, coordinating design, procurement, installation, and construction timelines for owners and operators.
- Hotel Brand Partnerships Coordination and compliance with major hotel brand standards during interior design and procurement, enabling owners and franchisees to meet brand requirements.
- Real Estate Advisory (MarketPointe) Real estate advisory services delivered through the MarketPointe affiliate for hospitality and commercial property investors and operators.
Companies that use DesignWise
Customer profileNamed customers18 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
DesignWise technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
DesignWise partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- MarketPointe Commercial Real EstatecoreMarketPointe is an affiliate organization specializing in commercial real estate and development strategy for hospitality properties. MarketPointe's Hospitality Team has over 70 years of combined industry experience. DesignWise refers clients needing commercial real estate/development services to MarketPointe, creating a complementary service ecosystem.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
DesignWise competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Gensler: Largest global architecture and interior design firm with a substantial hospitality practice. Comparable because it offers interior design for hotels across the same brand portfolio as DesignWise, but as part of a vastly broader services portfolio and at much greater scale.
- HOK: Global architecture and design firm with a dedicated hospitality interiors practice. Comparable in that it competes for hotel brand design mandates, but operates across multiple verticals (healthcare, aviation, sports, etc.) rather than specializing in hospitality.
Direct peers
- The Gettys Group: Hospitality-focused interior design and procurement firm with FF&E services and brand-standards expertise. Directly comparable because it bundles design, procurement, and installation services for hotel owners, similar to DesignWise's integrated model.
- Champalimaud Design: Luxury hospitality interior design firm with global footprint working with leading hotel brands and operators. Comparable as a brand-approved hospitality interior design competitor, albeit skewed more luxury/upmarket.
- Stonehill & Taylor: Hospitality interior design firm specializing in hotel, resort, and residential projects with strong brand-partner relationships. Directly comparable as it competes for hospitality interior design engagements across U.S. brands.
- Simeone Deary Design Group: Hospitality interior design firm focused on hotels, restaurants, and branded residences. Comparable as a mid-sized specialist firm targeting the same hospitality owners and brand programs as DesignWise.
- Interior Architects: International interior design and architecture firm with a major hospitality practice serving hotel brands, developers, and owners. Directly comparable as a hospitality-focused interior design firm competing for the same brand-approved engagements.
- ForrestPerkins: Established hospitality interior design firm serving luxury hotels, resorts, and branded residences. Comparable because it pursues the same brand-approved design engagements for hotel owners and operators.
- Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA): Premier global hospitality interior design firm working with luxury and upper-upscale hotel brands. Closest direct competitor at the brand-standards-and-brand-submittal level of interior design work that DesignWise performs.
Others
- Shawmut Design and Construction: Large U.S. construction management firm with a strong hospitality practice doing renovations and new builds for hotel brands. Comparable because it competes for design-build hospitality renovation work; complementary rather than identical since it leads construction while DesignWise leads design/procurement.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
DesignWise social profiles
Digital presenceDesignWise financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DesignWise leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
DesignWise funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DesignWise M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about DesignWise
What does DesignWise do?
DesignWise is an interior design, FF&E procurement, installation, and project management firm serving the hospitality industry. Founded in 1992 and headquartered in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, the company delivers turnkey design-to-installation solutions for hotels, restaurants, casinos, and commercial properties, with additional offerings in construction/demolition, hotel brand coordination, and real estate advisory through its MarketPointe affiliate.
Is DesignWise a public or private company?
DesignWise is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was DesignWise founded?
DesignWise was founded in 1992. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is DesignWise based?
DesignWise is headquartered in White Bear Lake, United States, in the North America region.
How does DesignWise make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Interior Design Services are the primary driver. The others are procurement Services, installation Services, construction & Demolition Services, project Management & Owners' Representation and real Estate Advisory Services (via MarketPointe).
Who are DesignWise's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Gensler and HOK. Direct peers are The Gettys Group, Champalimaud Design, Stonehill & Taylor, Simeone Deary Design Group, Interior Architects, ForrestPerkins and Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA). Shawmut Design and Construction is listed as an others.
Does DesignWise have an API?
No public API is recorded for DesignWise.
What industry is DesignWise in?
DesignWise's product category is Hospitality Interior Design Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAKAB, Interior Design Services, with a secondary code of IMAFACAC, Hospitality & Entertainment Venue Construction. Its NAICS code is 541410 and its SIC code is 8700.