Al Rayyan opens 22-storey Crowne Plaza Times Square following revamp

Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Company (ARTIC), a leading international hospitality investment company and wholly owned subsidiary of Al Faisal Holding, celebrated the official opening of Crowne Plaza Manhattan Times Square, following the completion of an extensive transformation of one of its landmark hospitality assets in New York City.

Located at 790 Seventh Avenue in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, the 22-storey property enjoys a prime location just steps from Times Square, Rockefeller Center, the Broadway Theatre District and Central Park. 

The hotel features 685 guestrooms and suites with city views and has undergone an extensive transformation aimed at strengthening its position in Manhattan, one of the world’s most important and competitive hospitality markets.

The opening represents an important milestone in ARTIC’s strategy of investing in high-quality hospitality assets in leading global cities and destinations. 

ARTIC said it remains focused on the continued development of its portfolio, enhancing the performance and competitiveness of its assets in support of its growth and expanding presence across international hospitality markets. 

The official inauguration was attended by Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of Al Faisal Holding; Sheikh Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, Board Member Al Faisal Holding; Tarek M. El Sayed, Managing Director and CEO of Artic; Cyril Mouawad, Chief Operating Officer; Gregory Polino, Head of Asset Management – US; and Mohamed El Sayed, Deputy Head of Asset Management – US. 

They were joined by members of the IHG Hotels & Resorts leadership team including Jolyon Bulley, the CEO of Americas; Colin McDonald, Managing Director and SVP, Peter Clarke, Vice President, Franchise Operations Americas in addition to Highgate, The Hotel operator, Mahmood Khimji Co-Founder and Chairman, Arash Azarbarizan Principle and CEO, alongside senior representatives from ARTIC, IHG Hotels & Resorts and Highgate, as well as invited guests. 

Speaking at the opening, Sheikh Faisal said: "Since the company’s establishment, our vision has been clear; to build a diversified portfolio of distinguished hospitality assets in some of the world’s most important destinations, while expanding our presence thoughtfully in markets where we see attractive opportunities for growth."

"Over more than two decades, I am proud of what the company has achieved and of the strong base of investments and distinguished assets it has built, evolving from a company that began in Qatar into a global company with a strong presence, reputation and credibility across some of the world’s leading hospitality markets. I believe this journey also reflects the ability of Qatar’s private sector companies to grow, expand and compete successfully in international markets," he stated.

“New York holds a special position as one of the world’s leading centers for business, tourism and culture, and our continued investment in this hotel reflects our confidence in the city and in the long-term outlook for the US hospitality sector.

“I would also like to extend my thanks and appreciation to everyone involved with the hotel and all those who contributed to the successful delivery of this project. I wish the team every success in this new chapter and look forward to seeing the hotel achieve further success and strengthen its position within New York’s hospitality market.” 

Tarek M. El Sayed, Managing Director and CEO of Artic, said: "The opening of Crowne Plaza Manhattan Times Square in its new form marks an important milestone for this hotel within Artic’s international portfolio, following an extensive transformation that has brought a new vision to the property while preserving its distinctive New York character. In addition to enhancing the guest experience and introducing contemporary design throughout the hotel, the transformation focused on optimizing the use of space and incorporating sustainable materials and practices that support the hotel’s long-term performance. Recognizing its exceptional location and significant potential in the heart of Manhattan, it is an important property within our US portfolio. The transformation has touched all aspects of the hotel, from its design, guestrooms and facilities to its dining, meeting and event spaces, while preserving the property’s distinctive identity and connection to New York City.

“Our partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts has also played an important role in this new chapter for the hotel, which has been launched under the Crowne Plaza brand, with Highgate serving as operator. By bringing together Artic’s investment vision, the strength of the Crowne Plaza brand and Highgate’s operational, we are laying the foundations for a new chapter that will further strengthen the hotel’s competitiveness and support strong, sustainable performance.

“The United States remains a strategic market for ARTIC, and we see attractive opportunities for continued growth. We will continue to invest in our existing portfolio while exploring new opportunities and partnerships that can strengthen our presence and support the continued growth of our international portfolio.” 

The enhanced guest experience includes the distinctive Manhattan Level on the hotel’s upper floors, offering spacious suites and panoramic views of the New York skyline, together with the exclusive Broadway Suite on the 22nd floor. The hotel also features an enhanced range of dining options, meeting and event spaces, and social areas. 

The official opening of Crowne Plaza Manhattan Times Square further strengthens Artic’s presence in North America and supports the company’s strategy of building a geographically diversified international portfolio of high-quality hospitality assets in key markets around the world.-TradeArabia News Service