Hospitality Daily Podcast Hospitality as Community Connection Infrastructure - Rob Blood, Lark
Jan 15, 2026
Rob Blood, founder and chairman of Lark, is a pioneer in hospitality-driven community development. He discusses how connected spaces like lodging, bars, and bookstores in Cambridge, Massachusetts cultivate relationships. Rob emphasizes the importance of creating environments that encourage people to linger, enhancing both guest and local experiences. He shares insights on transforming bookstores into inviting havens and the role hotels can play as community hubs, showcasing the power of hospitality in fostering connection.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Hard-Won Entry Into Cambridge
- Rob Blood describes Lark's long pursuit and sudden arrival in Cambridge with Cambridge Common House opening soon.
- He frames the property's location near Harvard as a long-awaited milestone after years of trying to enter Boston.
Luz: A Subterranean Bar Success
- Rob recounts working on Luz, a subterranean bar in Harvard Square that became a standout hospitality project.
- He notes it was an Elder & Ash project and celebrates seeing the concept operationalized and successful.
Add Hospitality To Other Businesses
- Embed hospitality into nontraditional spaces like bookstores to make people stay, linger, and connect.
- Design listening lounges, DJ booths, and compelling cafes to turn retail into community hubs.