“We are pleased to have finally closed on The Park Central Hotel,” said Michael D. Barnello, President and Chief Executive Officer of LaSalle Hotel Properties. “We remain excited about this well located New York City asset and our ability to acquire the hotel at an attractive purchase price.”
The hotel benefits from an excellent location, across the street from Carnegie Hall, three blocks south of Columbus Circle and Central Park, and five blocks from Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall. The hotel is situated steps from midtown businesses and premium dining and is proximate to world renowned shopping and many of New York City’s preeminent tourist attractions. The hotel is just seven blocks north of Times Square and the theatre district.
The Park Central Hotel features two food and beverage outlets: Cityhouse, an 88-seat contemporary steakhouse, and Bar Bella, the hotel’s lobby lounge. The asset’s offerings also include 14,000 square feet of flexible meeting and function space, including an 8,500 square foot Grand Ballroom. Additionally, the property has 4,800 square feet of retail space.
The hotel was originally constructed in 1928 and has undergone numerous renovations throughout the years, with over $33.0 million since 2004. The Company plans to implement a renovation of the hotel, currently estimated at between $30.0 and $35.0 million, including guestrooms and guest bathrooms, corridors and the hotel’s lobby. The renovation is expected to commence late 2012 and conclude during 2013.
Highgate Holdings, which will continue to manage the Park Central, presently has a portfolio of more than 20,000 rooms located primarily in New York, San Francisco, Washington, DC, Las Vegas and Paris.
“We are thrilled to embark upon our LaSalle Hotel Properties relationship with such an important asset,” said Mehdi Khimji, a Principal of Highgate Holdings. “The location and scale of The Park Central Hotel has historically made it an outstanding performer in our portfolio and now with the planned renovation and LaSalle’s ownership, the hotel is poised to achieve its full potential.”
LaSalle Hotel Properties is a leading multi-operator real estate investment trust owning 37 upscale full-service hotels, totaling over 9,800 guest rooms in 13 markets in 9 states and the District of Columbia. The Company focuses on owning, redeveloping and repositioning upscale full-service hotels located in urban, resort and convention markets. LaSalle Hotel Properties seeks to grow through strategic relationships with premier lodging companies, including Westin Hotels and Resorts, Hilton Hotels Corporation, Outrigger Lodging Services, Noble House Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Benchmark Hospitality, White Lodging Services Corporation, Thompson Hotels, Sandcastle Resorts & Hotels, Davidson Hotel Company, Denihan Hospitality Group, the Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, LLC, Accor, Destination Hotels & Resorts, HEI Hotels & Resorts, JRK Hotel Group, Inc., Viceroy Hotel Group and Highgate Holdings.
