# CH Projects

> CH Projects, Inc. (also known as Consortium Holdings) is a San Diego hospitality group and social-and-culinary collective that creates distinctive restaurants, bars, hotels, and public gathering spaces designed to foster community, conversation, and memorable experiences.

Company page on Leadbay: https://mad-max.leadbay.ai/company/ch-projects.com · loaded 2026-10-29

## At a glance

- Website: https://ch-projects.com
- Team based in: San Diego (Leadbay's record and 2 more)
- Incorporated: California (no. 3662554) (register)
- Registry: California Secretary of State 3662554
- Founded: 2007 (sandiegomagazine.com and 2 more)
- Founders: Arsalun Tafazoli
- Industry: Restaurants
- Employees: 80 (employees and founders, investors not counted; ch-projects.com and 1 more)
- Seen in its site's code: Shopify (cdn.shopify.com), Google Workspace (MX alt4.aspmx.l.google.com) (read 2026-10-30)
- Phone: (619) 550-5412
- Email: info@ch-projects.com
- Address: 631 9TH STREET
SAN DIEGO, CA 92101

## What it sells, to whom

- CH Projects, Inc. (also known as Consortium Holdings) is a San Diego hospitality group and social-and-culinary collective that creates distinctive restaurants, bars, hotels, and public gathering spaces designed to foster community, conversation, and memorable experiences. ([ch-projects.com](https://ch-projects.com/who-we-are), [sdbj.com](https://sdbj.com/tourism/chs-venues-turn-tables-bland/), [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/chprojects))

## Why it stands out

- Restaurant Group of the Year — Eater San Diego (2016) ([ch-projects.com](https://ch-projects.com/accolades))
- Raised by Wolves — #19 on Imbibe’s 50 Best Bars list; Esquire Best Bars in America (2019) ([ch-projects.com](https://ch-projects.com/accolades))
- The Lafayette Hotel — 2024 New Hotel of the Year (Eater San Diego), Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice (2024), National Geographic Travel best new hotels recognition, and Michelin Key recognition reported by project partners ([ch-projects.com](https://ch-projects.com/accolades))
- Youngblood — North America’s World’s 50 Best Bars (2023) ([ch-projects.com](https://ch-projects.com/accolades))

## Products and services

- Restaurants, bars, cocktail lounges, hotels, and hospitality concepts ([ch-projects.com](https://ch-projects.com/who-we-are), [ch-projects.com](https://ch-projects.com/projects/fallen-empire), [ch-projects.com](https://ch-projects.com/projects))
- Named concepts include Craft & Commerce, Ironside Fish & Oyster, Noble Experiment, Neighborhood, Underbelly, Polite Provisions, Fortunate Son, False Idol, Part Time Lover, Born & Raised, Raised by Wolves, Morning Glory, The Invigatorium, J & Tony’s Discount Cured Meats and Negroni Warehouse, Youngblood, Seneca Trattoria, and The Reading Club ([ch-projects.com](https://ch-projects.com/who-we-are), [ch-projects.com](https://ch-projects.com/projects/fallen-empire), [ch-projects.com](https://ch-projects.com/projects))
- The Lafayette Hotel & Club redevelopment in San Diego, with venues including The Gutter, Quixote, Atlas Lobby Bar, Beginners Diner, Lobby Café, and Gift Shop ([ch-projects.com](https://ch-projects.com/who-we-are), [ch-projects.com](https://ch-projects.com/projects/fallen-empire), [ch-projects.com](https://ch-projects.com/projects))
- Coronado concepts associated with the newer hotel project include Night Hawk and Fallen Empire ([ch-projects.com](https://ch-projects.com/who-we-are), [ch-projects.com](https://ch-projects.com/projects/fallen-empire), [ch-projects.com](https://ch-projects.com/projects))

## Customers and markets

- **Customers**: Local San Diego diners, bar patrons, hotel guests, and visitors seeking food, beverage, hospitality, and social gathering experiences; CH describes patrons as becoming friends and emphasizes neighborhood communities rather than a conventional B2B customer base. ([ch-projects.com](https://ch-projects.com/who-we-are), [ch-projects.com](https://ch-projects.com/contact))
- **Markets**: San Diego, California: core market and headquarters, with a broad portfolio of neighborhood restaurants, bars and social venues. ([ch-projects.com](https://ch-projects.com/who-we-are), [sdbj.com](https://sdbj.com/tourism/hotels/red-hot-hotelier/), [marneystidbits.com](https://marneystidbits.com/new-san-diego-restaurant-openings-to-know-in-2026/))
- **Markets**: Coronado, California: current expansion market through The Baby Grand hotel and its food-and-beverage concepts. ([ch-projects.com](https://ch-projects.com/who-we-are), [sdbj.com](https://sdbj.com/tourism/hotels/red-hot-hotelier/), [marneystidbits.com](https://marneystidbits.com/new-san-diego-restaurant-openings-to-know-in-2026/))

## Team

- Arsalun Tafazoli, Founder
- Jonathan Francese, Chief Operating Officer at CH Projects Inc · [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-francese-567190198)
- Brian Eastman, CXO. CH Projects, Inc. · [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-eastman-23558029)
- Laura Amato, Professional Partier/Event Director · [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-amato-890474166)
- Shannon Partrick, Director of Engagement at CH Projects, Inc. · [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonpartrick)
- CJ Cnossen, Construction Expert and Business Owner with 25 years of… · [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/cj-cnossen-a70469123)
- Charlie White, Bartender for consortium holdings Current - Raised by wolves · [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlie-white-510a3915b)
- Nicholas Buford · [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-buford-730bbb359)
- Adam Bagby, Customer Service Professional · [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-bagby)
- Chantal Carraso, Assistant General Manager · [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/chantal-carraso-3a6070167)
- Ben Brenner, Honors grad of ABA approved Paralegal Certificate Program… · [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brenner-688776286)
- Macay Koch · [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/macay-koch-b0b330400)

## Latest news

- 2026-06-01 · [Red Hot Hotelier - San Diego Business Journal](https://sdbj.com/tourism/hotels/red-hot-hotelier/) (sdbj.com)
- 2024-06-05 · [CH Projects' Latest Hotel in San Diego Gets a Name | San Diego Magazine](https://sandiegomagazine.com/food-drink/the-baby-grand-hotel-san-diego/) (sandiegomagazine.com)
- 2024-02-23 · [CH Projects Hoping to Transform Block within Little Italy](https://whatnow.com/san-diego/restaurants/ch-projects-hoping-to-transform-block-within-little-italy/) (whatnow.com)
- 2023-02-14 · [CH Projects Taps Decorated Spanish Chef to Lead Culinary Operations | Eater San Diego](https://sandiego.eater.com/2023/2/14/23599277/ch-projects-restaurant-group-san-diego-chef-perfecte-rocher-culinary-operations) (sandiego.eater.com)
- 2022-04-19 · [CH Projects Setting Up Two New Concepts in North Park](https://whatnow.com/san-diego/restaurants/ch-projects-setting-up-two-new-concepts-in-north-park/) (whatnow.com)

## Where to find more

- [This page in Markdown, for agents](https://mad-max.leadbay.ai/company/ch-projects.com.md)

## Decision makers

- [Arsalun Tafazoli](https://mad-max.leadbay.ai/person/arsalun-tafazoli--ch-projects.com.md), Founder
- [Jonathan Francese](https://mad-max.leadbay.ai/person/jonathan-francese--ch-projects.com.md), Chief Operating Officer at CH Projects Inc · [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-francese-567190198)
- [Brian Eastman](https://mad-max.leadbay.ai/person/brian-eastman--ch-projects.com.md), CXO. CH Projects, Inc. · [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-eastman-23558029)
- [Laura Amato](https://mad-max.leadbay.ai/person/laura-amato--ch-projects.com.md), Professional Partier/Event Director · [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-amato-890474166)
- [Shannon Partrick](https://mad-max.leadbay.ai/person/shannon-partrick--ch-projects.com.md), Director of Engagement at CH Projects, Inc. · [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonpartrick)
- [CJ Cnossen](https://mad-max.leadbay.ai/person/cj-cnossen--ch-projects.com.md), Construction Expert and Business Owner with 25 years of… · [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/cj-cnossen-a70469123)

Work emails and direct phones come with a Leadbay account: https://wow.leadbay.ai/?register=true

Where it comes from: 15 sites read (ch-projects.com, tech-projects.com, gtech-projects.com, sdbj.com, linkedin.com, dezeen.com, leadiq.com, hospitalitynet.org, …).

## Best angle

2026-10-01 · Traffic: Site visits up 25% in 3 months, 42,426 a month (1 source)

## Best way in

- LinkedIn message to Brian Eastman: CXO. CH Projects, Inc. · 1 LinkedIn post found, latest Oct 22, 2026
- LinkedIn message to Jonathan Francese: Chief Operating Officer at CH Projects Inc · profile linked from the company's record
- Call the front desk, (619) 550-5412: The front desk, in Leadbay's record, verified 2025-08-19
- Write to info@ch-projects.com (generic): A shared mailbox, in Leadbay's record, verified 2026-10-22

## Signals: what happened

- 2026-10-01 · Traffic: Site visits up 25% in 3 months, 42,426 a month (1 source: [A company database](https://ch-projects.com/))
- 2026-06-01 · News: Red Hot Hotelier (1 source: [sdbj.com](https://sdbj.com/tourism/hotels/red-hot-hotelier/))
- 2024-08-06 · Fundraising: Social Sciences alumnus Arsalun Tafazoli '06, Political Science, founded CH Projects, a San Diego-based hospitality group. The group manages more than 15 restaurants, bars, and hotels in San Diego, including Raised by … (1 source: [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/carolpadden_36-hours-in-san-diego-activity-7226638273190707201-rewg))
- 2024-06-05 · News: CH Projects' Latest Hotel in San Diego Gets a Name (1 source: [sandiegomagazine.com](https://sandiegomagazine.com/food-drink/the-baby-grand-hotel-san-diego/))
- 2024-02-23 · News: CH Projects Hoping to Transform Block within Little Italy (1 source: [whatnow.com](https://whatnow.com/san-diego/restaurants/ch-projects-hoping-to-transform-block-within-little-italy/))
- 2023-05-29 · News: Thank you CH Projects, Inc. (1 source: [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/yajairacody_%F0%9D%91%A9%F0%9D%91%B6%F0%9D%91%B9%F0%9D%91%B5-%F0%9D%91%A8%F0%9D%91%B5%F0%9D%91%AB-%F0%9D%91%B9%F0%9D%91%A8%F0%9D%91%B0%F0%9D%91%BA%F0%9D%91%AC%F0%9D%91%AB-on-instagram-activity-7068770507843661824-JR28))
- 2023-02-14 · News: CH Projects Taps Decorated Spanish Chef to Lead Culinary Operations (1 source: [sandiego.eater.com](https://sandiego.eater.com/2023/2/14/23599277/ch-projects-restaurant-group-san-diego-chef-perfecte-rocher-culinary-operations))
- 2022-04-19 · News: CH Projects Setting Up Two New Concepts in North Park (1 source: [whatnow.com](https://whatnow.com/san-diego/restaurants/ch-projects-setting-up-two-new-concepts-in-north-park/))
- 2020-04-02 · News: CH Projects’ Arsalun Tafazoli on Restaurant Life After COVID-19 (1 source: [sandiego.eater.com](https://sandiego.eater.com/2020/4/2/21204363/ch-projects-arsalun-tafazoli-restaurant-life-after-covid-19))

## Working on now

- Hotels and hospitality: management said CH Projects is now focused on hotel projects, following The Lafayette and the May 2026 opening of The Baby Grand in Coronado.
- Coronado expansion: The Baby Grand is a 31-room property at 1315 Orange Ave., with Night Hawk and the reservation-only Fallen Empire; reported investment was about $17–18 million.
- Local San Diego ecosystem: the company continues operating a portfolio of design-led restaurants, bars, listening rooms and social gathering spaces rather than pursuing a standardized national chain.
- Launch/brand ambition: management expressed Michelin Key aspirations for The Baby Grand.

From: [Who We Are × CH Projects](https://ch-projects.com/who-we-are), [Red Hot Hotelier - San Diego Business Journal](https://sdbj.com/tourism/hotels/red-hot-hotelier/), [New San Diego Restaurant Openings - Marneys Tidbits](https://marneystidbits.com/new-san-diego-restaurant-openings-to-know-in-2026/), [Coronado's new Baby Grand hotel is a maximalist dream - Theamericanhabit](https://theamericanhabit.com/coronados-new-baby-grand-hotel-is-a-maximalist-dream/)

## Summary

CH Projects is a San Diego-based hospitality collective that creates and operates distinct restaurants, bars, and hotels designed as public gathering spaces to foster neighborhood connection. Founded by Arsalun Tafazoli in 2007, the company prioritizes creative, immersive experiences over traditional business models, emphasizing social interaction and quality-driven products. The group serves locals and tourists through a portfolio that includes notable venues like The Lafayette Hotel, Born and Raised, and the newly opened 31-room hotel The Baby Grand in Coronado. The company operates independently without external investors and is currently shifting its strategic focus toward further hotel development.

[1]: https://ch-projects.com/who-we-are "Who We Are × CH Projects"
[2]: https://ch-projects.com/ "CH Projects"
[3]: https://sdbj.com/tourism/chs-venues-turn-tables-bland/ "CH’s Venues Turn the Tables on Bland - San Diego Business Journal"
[4]: https://sdbj.com/tourism/hotels/red-hot-hotelier/ "Red Hot Hotelier - San Diego Business Journal"
[5]: https://www.hospitalitynet.org/organization/17024516/ch-projects "CH Projects | Hospitality Net"
[6]: https://sandiegomagazine.com/food-drink/the-baby-grand-hotel-san-diego/ "CH Projects' Latest Hotel in San Diego Gets a Name | San Diego Magazine"
[7]: https://sandiegomagazine.com/features/leila-restaurant-north-park/ "Lelia North Park: Inside CH Projects' New Persian Restaurant"
[8]: https://sdbj.com/news/weekly-news/ch-projects-opens-roman-trattoria/ "CH Projects Opens Roman Trattoria - San Diego Business Journal"

## Sources

- [CH Projects, Inc.'s website](https://ch-projects.com)
- [New San Diego Restaurant Openings - Marneys Tidbits](https://marneystidbits.com/new-san-diego-restaurant-openings-to-know-in-2026/)
- [Coronado's new Baby Grand hotel is a maximalist dream - Theamericanhabit](https://theamericanhabit.com/coronados-new-baby-grand-hotel-is-a-maximalist-dream/)
- [Social Sciences alumnus Arsalun Tafazoli '06, Political Science, founded CH Projects, a San Diego-based hospitality group. The group manages more than 15 restaurants, bars, and hotels in San Diego, including Raised by … | Carol A. Padden](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/carolpadden_36-hours-in-san-diego-activity-7226638273190707201-rewg)
- [Mexican chapel and full diner feature at San Diego's Lafayette Hotel](https://www.dezeen.com/2025/05/04/post-company-ch-projects-lafayette-hotel-san-diego-maximalist/)