When Hard Rock Cafe co-founder Issac Tigrett wanted to develop a new Blues concept in Cambridge, MA, he turned to Boston design & construction management firm CAFCO Construction. After its founder Jim Cafarelli designed the original venue in Harvard Square to great acclaim, he sold CAFCO to his partner and became the exclusive developer of House of Blues.

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As a founding partner and the President of House of Blues Development Corp., Cafarelli designed, built and opened eight venues across the country including: New Orleans, Los Angeles, Chicago, Myrtle Beach, Orlando's Walt Disney World, Anaheim’s Disneyland and the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.



In 2012, Billboard Magazine released their list of the "25 Hottest Clubs in North America" and six venues among the top nine were Cafarelli's, including the #1 spot - House of Blues Orlando. Rolling Stone Magazine also crowned House of Blues Chicago as one of the Top 20 "Venues that Rock - Best Big Rooms in America".