Meet the Four Seasons Private Residences Team
four seasons private residences minneapolis
It's not easy to make hospitality seem effortless. The team at Four Seasons Private Residences Minneapolis makes the effortless hospitality their mission. Read on to learn more about the team at Four Seasons Private Residences Minneapolis, what goes on behind the scenes, and how to bring some Four Seasons hospitality home.
mark syputa
As the Director of Residences at Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis, Mark James Syputa is responsible for the property’s stylish residential living spaces, including a unique collection of 34 Private Residences. In this role, he provides operational oversight on all aspects of the intuitive, intelligent services provided by a dedicated team of professionals.
michelle raczkowski
Having previously acted as a Property Manager in Minneapolis, Michelle was eager to join the Four Seasons family and be a part of the most exciting residential address in the Twin Cities. A native Minnesotan and graduate of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, she brings her natural authenticity and warmth to the role. As Residences Manager, she is the face of the residential experience and your liaison for all requests, whether related to your a la carte housekeeping or your upcoming global Four Seasons travels.
Q & A with
mark syputa and michelle raczkowski
Can you share how you joined Four Seasons, and what led you to your current position?
Mark: Its been a 20 year adventure for me. I started with Four Seasons back home in Chicago in 2003 and have been traveling overseas since 2008. When Minneapolis became available I jumped at the opportunity to return to the Midwest for my family’s first time living in the States.
Michelle: After graduating from the University of Minnesota, I spent 2 years teaching in Tokyo while also fulfilling my love of travel. Upon returning to the Twin Cities, I accepted a position with a local property management and development company, which I grew with for 5 years. After a chance meeting with a Four Seasons manager that was transferring to Minneapolis from out of state I was sold on a future with Four Seasons. Now I am looking forward to growing with the company and seeing where this journey will take me next.
What is the work of translating the Four Seasons experience to the private residences?
M&M: Four Seasons is built on the Golden Rule which translates perfectly to Residential and applying that philosophy to everything we do is what makes this property a Four Seasons. The beautiful building is a given and any company can build a great property with enough resources, it’s our culture & people that make the all the difference in our Homeowner’s experience.
What are the challenges and rewards of being the director of residences?
Mark: I love the lasting connections I have made as a Director of Residences. I still keep in touch with some of our Four Seasons Homeowners in Mauritius from my first Director position back in 2008. One of the challenges of the job is understanding and accepting that the simple and quick resolutions are not always the best. This is very different from a Hotel Operations Manager. On the hotel side you can act quickly and decisively as long as it’s in the best interest of the guest. On the residential side, we need to wear a lot of hats and take into consideration the governing documents, the individual resident and what’s best for the association overall before acting.
What goes on behind the scenes creating a feeling of home in Four Seasons Private Residences?
Michelle: My goal is to create the feeling of home by taking the time to familiarize myself and my team with our homeowners’ personal preferences. I want get to know each homeowner, so my team and I can anticipate their needs as their life progresses.
Without spoiling any surprises, can you share any upcoming plans your team is creating for Four Seasons Private Residences?
M&M: We are planning our first post opening resident gathering end of Q1/beginning of Q2. We haven’t finalized a venue yet, but are looking to partner with some neighborhood businesses to create unique experiences. We are planning on hosting at least quarterly events this year.
Finally, what advice would you give for someone wanting to bring the Four Seasons experience into their own home?
Mark: I can speak from personal experience here as I have been sleeping exclusively on Four Seasons mattresses at home for years. I also love the new expanded online shop that offers so much more than just the beds.