FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release # 017-00
Wednesday, January 12, 2000
| Contact: | Sunny Mindel/Curt Ritter 212-788-2958 |
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani was joined by Todd Clist, President of Marriott International, Inc. Lodging Division, and Harry Gross, owner of G. Holdings, today at City Hall to announce that Courtyard by Marriott is building a new 166-room hotel adjacent to John F. Kennedy International Airport. Construction on the 13-floor hotel, located at 135th and Inwood Avenues in Queens, began today and is expected to be completed in early 2001. This hotel will be the first new hotel built at the airport in 15 years.
"Marriott's decision to build another hotel in New York City is another example of the confidence businesses have in our City's economic renaissance," said Mayor Giuliani. "Years ago people thought New York City had too many hotels. Today, with over 33 million tourists visiting our City each year our hotel occupancy rates are at their highest level in years. This new Marriott is great news for the Queens community, as it will create more than 500 new construction jobs and 110 permanent jobs. I want to thank Marriott and Harry Gross for their continued investment in New York City, and look forward to its opening next year."
The hotel, which will have 166 guest rooms, includes two suites, 1,200 square feet of meeting space, an exercise room, and a restaurant and lounge. Free shuttle service to the airport will be provided 24 hours a day.
"Courtyard continues to develop a strong presence in the New York City market," said Mr. Clist. "With the opening of this property, Courtyard will offer business travelers a new choice in the upper moderate segment at one of the world's busiest airports in addition to two mid-town Manhattan Courtyard hotels and one at LaGuardia Airport."
"This new Courtyard by Marriott will be the premier lodging for business travelers and families using John F. Kennedy International Airport, where more than 31 million passengers were recorded last year," said Mr. Gross. "We look forward to working with Marriott, Interstate Hotels and the Queens business community to make this a hotel that will cater to the needs of our guests."
Queens Borough President Claire Shulman said, "The aviation industry is integral to the economy of Queens County. This new hotel is further evidence that JFK Airport is at the crossroads of international commerce and that world-class hotels such as Courtyard by Marriott deem it an important location for their latest venture."
G. Holdings, a real estate development company founded in 1977 by owner Harry Gross, is headquartered in New York City. It was, and has been, active in the acquisition, development, management and trading of businesses and real estate nationally and internationally. In October, 1998 G. Holdings opened the 244-room Courtyard by Marriott Times Square South.
The franchisee and developer of the hotel is Granite JFK LLC, a member of the G. Holdings group of companies. Crossroads Hospitality Company, a subsidiary of Interstate Hotels Corporation, will manage the hotel under a franchise agreement between Marriott International and G. Holdings.
