Gary Brandeis (’88 Accounting)

Gary Brandeis 2026 Distinguished Achievement Award.

2026 Distinguished Achievement Award

Portrait of Gary Brandeis.Gary is the CEO and Co-Founder of Scholar Hotels LLC. He started his real estate career in 1990 which included senior level and partnership positions with Lincoln Property Company, FB Capital Partners, and Meridian Capital. His experience and expertise include development, finance, acquisitions, dispositions, asset management and joint ventures. He has been the principal partner in four real estate investment funds, including PB Funds I & II, investing over $350 million in all property types and investment strategies since 2005.

Gary acquired his first hotel in 2006 and has since been directly involved in the hospitality business as an investor, developer, and manager. He has worked with Marriott, Hilton, IHG and Hyatt brands while also acquiring and redeveloping several independent branded hotels. Scholar’s portfolio contains all hotel categories including full service, limited service, conference center, branded and independent hotels. Scholar’s affiliate, Real Estate Capital Management oversees the development, construction, and financing of its hotel portfolio. As a result, Scholar provides full life-cycle services for the hospitality industry.

More specifically, in State College, Pennsylvania, Scholar’s portfolio consists of six hotels:

  • The Nittany Lion Inn - $46 million historic, tax credit, gut renovation of 230 guest rooms, restaurants, bars, full mechanical and utility upgrades.
  • The Penn Stater Hotel – $30 million renovation of conference center hotel including 300 guest rooms, conference facilities and all public spaces.
  • Hyatt Place – $55 million ground up development with 165 guest rooms, 50,000 square feet of retail and residential condominiums.
  • Scholar Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton - $22 million historic, tax credit, gut renovation with 72 guest rooms via a conversion from a residential/office property.
  • Marriott Courtyard/Residence Inn - $25 million acquisition with full PIP renovations in accordance with Marriott brand standards with 150 guest rooms.

Scholar has the largest hospitality platform in Centre County with over 600 employees, over 900 hotel rooms, 80,000 square feet of conference/meeting space and 10 food and beverage outlets.

A consummate entrepreneur, Gary brings a creative and thoughtful mindset to everything he does. He started his career in public accounting with Price Waterhouse. He is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a B.S. in Accounting from The Smeal College of Business of The Pennsylvania State University.