David Adelman

David J. Adelman grew up on Philadelphia’s Main Line. He recalled losing sports equipment in a basketball wager with family friend and Campus Apartments founder Alan Horwitz at 11, then doing chores at the company to earn it back and discovering real estate.⁠[1][2]

He recalled investing $2,000 received at his bar mitzvah in one of Horwitz’s apartment buildings at 13 and continuing summer work at the company. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from The Ohio State University.⁠[1][3]

After college, he joined Campus Apartments full time in 1994, turning his earlier part-time experience into a career.⁠[4]

He became chief executive officer of Campus Apartments, expanding it from a Philadelphia student housing operator into a multistate development and management business.⁠[5][6]

His 2024 biography records his service as University City District’s vice chair from September 1998.⁠[5][1]

Campus Apartments completed securitized financing for its student housing portfolio and partnered with a Singapore sovereign fund to support geographic expansion.⁠[4]

He founded Darco Capital for venture capital and private equity investing.⁠[5]

He cofounded FS Investments and served as vice chairman. The alternative investment firm later adopted the Future Standard brand.⁠[5][7]

Campus Apartments undertook a student housing public-private partnership with Franklin & Marshall College, part of its university partnership business.⁠[4]

He was named Multifamily Executive’s Executive of the Year in 2009 and received Ernst & Young’s Greater Philadelphia Entrepreneur of the Year award in the real estate category in 2010.⁠[6]

He joined Wheels Up’s board in October 2013, later serving as lead independent director until September 20, 2023.⁠[5]

The Horwitz-Wasserman Holocaust Memorial Plaza opened in Philadelphia. Adelman, then chair of the Philadelphia Holocaust Remembrance Foundation, helped advance the redevelopment, combining the existing memorial sculpture with educational features and survivor testimony tours.⁠[8]

Darco Capital announced its acquisition of American Harvest Vodka and Beach Whiskey, placing the brands in the newly formed 1776 Spirits Company.⁠[9]

As chair of 76 Devcorp, he advanced a proposed 76ers arena at Market East. Some nearby Chinatown residents and organizations feared displacement and harm to businesses; he argued it could improve commerce and public conditions. The plan changed in 2025.⁠[1][10]

ESPN reported that he purchased part of Michael Rubin’s stake in Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, becoming a limited partner in the 76ers and New Jersey Devils.⁠[11]

FS Investments, which he cofounded, and Portfolio Advisors announced completion of their combination, bringing together alternative asset management and private markets investment businesses.⁠[12]

At a University of Colorado Boulder event, he discussed his business experience, lessons from unsuccessful deals and balancing work, exercise and family life.⁠[13]

HBSE and Comcast Spectacor announced a 50–50 joint venture for a new South Philadelphia Sports Complex arena shared by the 76ers and Flyers, alongside investment in Market East. The new proposal replaced the earlier downtown arena location.⁠[10]

The WNBA announced a Philadelphia expansion team planned to begin play in 2030, operated by HBSE with Comcast holding a minority stake. The league identified Adelman as a key partner and said the plan remained subject to the relevant boards’ approval.⁠[14]

FS Investments announced its rebrand as Future Standard, unifying its business with Portfolio Advisors under one identity. Adelman’s official biography identifies him as cofounder and vice chairman.⁠[7][3]

Multifamily Executive announced his selection for its Hall of Fame, recognizing his career in student housing development, management and university partnerships.⁠[4]

Darco Capital’s website listed School of Hard Knocks’ Philadelphia interview video on November 14, linking to Adelman’s appearance. An official program post also identified him by name in its discussion of investing and entrepreneurship.⁠[15][16]

Darco Spirits announced that American Harvest Vodka and Beach Whiskey would reach more than 200 Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board stores, identifying Adelman as its founder.⁠[17]

The teams unveiled arena renderings, targeting a 2030 opening.⁠[18]

Darco Capital describes itself as a family investment office backing early and growth-stage companies. In public interviews, Adelman emphasizes assessing operators, listening to colleagues and distinguishing difficulties worth working through from projects that should be stopped.⁠[19][2]

He and his wife have two daughters and live in suburban Philadelphia. His public service includes Penn Medicine’s board and the board of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, where he previously served as co-chair.⁠[19][3]

Campus Apartments: Official website: https://www.campusapartments.com/ (opens in a new window). Darco Capital: Official website: https://www.darcocapital.com/ (opens in a new window). Future Standard: Official website: https://www.futurestandard.com/ (opens in a new window). LinkedInLinkedInLinkedIn is a social networking platform for professionals. It was founded in 2002 by Reid Hoffman and others, launched in 2003, and listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2011; after Microsoft acquired it for approximately $26.2 billion in 2016, it became a wholly owned Microsoft subsidiary. Its revenue comes from membership subscriptions, advertising, and recruitment solutions.Open the full entry: Public account: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-adelman-0b07b93/ (opens in a new window).⁠[6][19][3][20]