Strategic Group to Acquire Jumeirah Essex House

Jumeirah Essex House (copyright Jumeirah)

Guess who wants ownership of the Jumeirah Essex House in Manhattan? None other than the Chicago-based REIT, Strategic Hotels and Resorts Group.
Since Essex House’s opening in 1931 it has been a huge success and has won numerous awards including the “Five Pavilions Award” in 2008 and the "United States' Leading Business Hotel" in 2011. The 45-story hotel’s prime location – the edge of Central Park South – coupled with its high quality service sets this luxury hotel up for success. It is this standard of excellence that has set the overall tone for luxury hotels in Manhattan for decades.
The Jumeirah is currently owned by the Dubai Investment Group LLC which acquired the hotel in 2005 for $440 million. When this group of investors decided to put this five star hotel up for sale, it was only natural that it caught the attention of the Strategic Group.
The REIT, whose portfolio consists of 17 world famous, luxury hotels and resorts including the Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Hilton and Hyatt, are known for providing a high quality of service. The Strategic Group aims to provide its customers with excellent service, ambiance and amenities in desireable locations - the perfect luxury package. The opportunity to acquire this midtown Manhattan hotel is just the type of investment this REIT seeks.
How much will this purchase cost the Strategic Group? The acquisition is expected to cost $362.3 million, with another $18.3 million to be spent on renovating the historic building.
In addition to the hotel’s cosmetic changes, the name will be changed from “Jumeirah Essex House” to “JW Marriott Essex House New York.” According to Laurence Geller, the Strategic Group’s President and CEO, the combination of Jumeirah’s location, “Marriott’s outstanding distribution and world-class customer service,” and its “successful long-standing relationship with the Marriott brands," positions the Essex House for success.
The sale of this 80 year old luxury hotel is expected to close on September 7th.

Treat For Yourself To A Little NYC-Style Fun!

There are lots of fun events to enjoy in Manhattan - from fashion to those that excite your taste buds, there’s a little something for everyone.  So, let’s get down to a few: Ladies, you are in for a real treat! Shulogique, a high tech high heel fashion retail store, has opened their doors at Pearl Studios located at 500 Eighth Avenue, and their aim is to make you look sexy! They use advanced technology to select and customize the most comfortable and sexy high heel especially made for you. The technology is free and there is no obligation, so get the first look at their collection now to get your very own pair of these comfortable, yet stylish shoes. For more information on this amazing technology visit, http://www.shulogique.com and http://goo.gl/U0EMl, for events. For the music lover, NYC Recording Studios is opening their gates to you on August 22nd so you can explore the magic-making studio for yourself. Listen to fascinating, never before released music from your favorite artists and get a sneak peak of those currently recording their new hit tracks. The tour of their 12-story facility is geared towards music lovers eager to see where and how the magic happens. For tickets visit, http://goo.gl/bfVgo Similarly, for the action-movie lover, The Specialists Ltd in SoHo will be opening their secret warehouse to the public on August 22nd. The warehouse contains everything from Angelina Jolie's SIG 552 from the movie “Salt” to a full range of props from various “Law & Order” episodes. The warehouse, generally closed to the public, will showcase various props from all of your favorite movies and TV shows. So, head down to The Specialists Ltd warehouse to see exactly how all of those props are used. For tickets visit, http://goo.gl/ZMf7k Want to learn photography the right way? Judith Farber, an esteemed photographer, comes to Chinatown to teach you the art of photography. This walking tour to capture Chinatown’s beauty will not only give you the opportunity to take photographs, but also get them critiqued by a professional that will give you tips and tricks to capture the perfect photo!  The event takes place on the August 22nd so take out your camera equipment and head downtown!  To sign up visit, http://goo.gl/eVoO2 Oh, and we haven’t forgotten about the kids. Feelday and Alison Walla from Butter + Love are organizing a special “Cookie and Mustache” Party where kids will enjoy hours of sugary fun. Parents aren’t left out either. They’ll have an opportunity to indulge in Zucker Bakery’s great coffee and pastries while Feelday and Alison help your kids create and decorate their own mustache cookie. Every mustache gets its own photoshoot and parents leave with a gift bag filled with yummy goodies from Zucker! Tickets are available at Zucker Bakery on the Upper East Side.  For more information visit, http://zuckerbakery.com/ That’s not all, Watson’s Adventure will be hosting a chocolate rich scavenger hunt designed to satisfy your sweet tooth on September 8th in Soho. Explore the neighbourhood’s bakeries and chocolate shops while answering a few tricky questions that will get you to your next destination. Indulge yourself in tropical fruit caramels, bacon candy bars, lavender macaroons, spiced hot chocolate and cupcakes—Yum! So, remember to register for Watson’s Adventure and reward your taste buds with these delectable treats! To register visit, http://goo.gl/3aWYi Sign up for these events as soon as possible before time runs out, and have yourself a blast! Don’t forget to tell us all about it!

What You Can Buy Under $285K!

A Glimpse of New York Real Estate... Upper East Side - Manhattan East 70's - Studio/1BA | $275K Great, move-in studio apartment with a full length wall unit which contains lots of drawers, closet space and Queen-sized Murphy bed.  Building amenities include common roof deck, courtyard garden, on-site garage, bike room, laundry room and common storage.  Appoximately 450 SF. West Harlem - Manhattan Riverside Dr - 3BR/1BA | $278K Pre-war 2 bedroom apartment with a dining room that can be converted into a 3rd bedroom.  High ceilings, hardwood floors and original details throughout.  Partial renovation is needed.  Blocks from 1 train. Approximately 1196 SF. New Rochelle - Westchester Inwood Pl - Single Family/ 2BR/1BA | $250K Charming 2 bedroom, detached house with driveway. Close to the Pelham border and down the street from Glenwood Lake. Appoximately 1040 SF. Mount Vernon - Westchester Lorraine Terr - 3BR/2BA | $234.9K Totally renovated 3 bedroom, 2 bath Condo. New Kitchen, new baths, new hardwood floors, large open living and dining rooms. Approximately 1296 SF. Riverdale - NW Bronx Broadway - 2BR/1BA | $265K A beautiful, fully renovated 2 bedroom, 1 bath Coop with No Board Approval! Huge living room, open kitchen with stainless steel appliances & marble countertops, hardwood floors and walk-in closets. Close to shops and restaurants. Approximately 1000 SF. Wakefield - NE Bronx Kingsland Ave - Single Fam/ 3BR/1BA | $249K Lovely, completely Renovated 1 Family Home with Large Backyard and Basement.  Approximately 1190 SF. These properties are  not the "Exclusive" listings of The FARE Group.  The FARE Group has access to these properties through our VOW & IDX. All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

The New Limelight in Chelsea

The Limelight Marketplace

The Limelight, a former Episcopal church and, not so obvious, former nightclub located on the corner of West 20th Street and Avenue of the Americas has been through many unusual transformations. As a nightclub, owned by Peter Gatien from 1983-2003, this establishment was largely known for Goth “raves,” recreational drug use and numerous notable performers: 50 Cent, Guns N’ Roses, and Marilyn (Manson), to name a few. When its nightclub career finally ended in 2007, I’ve often passed by and wondered what this once highly publicized and controversial nightclub would become next. Not too long ago, I found the answer. In May 2010, the Limelight re-opened, but this time, into a unique three-story marketplace housing more than 60 small, high-end, retail shops as well as a few restaurants such as Grimaldi's Pizzeria and Todd English. Last month, the Limelight announced it would be adding an IHOP restaurant that would occupy the 1st and 2nd floors as well as some outdoor space. While the physical nature of the building is not characteristic of what we're accustomed to seeing for an IHOP, it's expected to be a great success and anchor for the current retail tenants. The Limelight Marketplace is extremely unique, filled with a lot of history - good and bad - and a fascinating place to visit. With the addition of an IHOP on its way, I can't think a thing that would keep you away! Please leave us your thoughts when you do…