Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Hospitality | Tourism 2023: BRUCE L. THOMPSON

CEO, GOLD KEY | PHR, VIRGINIA BEACH

Hospitality | Tourism 2023: BRUCE L. THOMPSON

CEO, GOLD KEY | PHR, VIRGINIA BEACH

//August 30, 2023//

Listen to this article

A Norfolk native and Virginia Business’ 2021 Person of the Year, Thompson is one of Hampton Roads’ most prominent developers and hoteliers. He is best known for developing the , which includes the restored historic Cavalier as well as two new , restaurants and residences on 21 acres at the Oceanfront.

The $435 million project is the culmination of nearly four decades of work by Thompson to reposition Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads — an area once referred to as the “Redneck Riviera” — into an exclusive area with high-end hotels and residences.

Thompson opened his first hotel in the early 1980s. Under the name Professional Resources (PHR), Thompson’s hotel empire grew. He founded Gold Key as a timeshare company, along with marketing and finance companies to assist with timeshare sales. reports annual revenues exceeding $140 million and employs more than 2,400 people.

As a young man, Thompson worked as a night watchman and mowed the lawn at the Cavalier Hotel. In recent years, the longtime political insider has chaired inauguration committees for governors on both sides of the aisle.

-
YOUR NEWS.
YOUR INBOX.
DAILY.

By subscribing you agree to our Privacy Policy.