James Hotel Scottsdale Announces Sale
NEW YORK, NY, January 24, 2006. Stephen Hanson and Danny Errico, founders of the James Scottsdale have announced the sale of the 200-room property effective April 30 to Morgans Hotel Group for $46.5 million. The equity from the sale enables the partners to focus on the expansion of their emerging James brand with the launch of their second hotel, The James Chicago, opening in March 2006, as well as future locations in New York in 2007, Los Angeles in 2008, Miami, Boston and Las Vegas to follow.
"The hotel has been an incredible success, but as the brand evolved, the Scottsdale property did not necessarily fit the portfolio we were developing in our new urban locations," said Hanson. Heading the brand expansion as COO is Brad Wilson, former VP of Operations for W Hotels.
To ensure that their vision for a ground-breaking hospitality brand is executed creatively, diligently, passionately, and with high quality, Stephen Hanson, entrepreneur known for his B.R. Guest restaurants, and Danny Errico, former CEO and founder of the successful Equinox Fitness Clubs, have assembled a dream team that will form the heart and soul of The JAMES hotel brand. The team's next project is a second property, opening March 2006 in downtown Chicago. The task will be to evolve the brand from the original, fun-in-the-sun resort concept that was successful in Scottsdale, Ariz. to a more sophisticated urban destination hotel brand to accommodate the Chicago market. The James team plans to expand to New York, Los Angeles and Miami in the future. Joining Hanson and Errico are four experts with impeccable credentials who together will build the organization from its infancy: Brad Wilson (Partner/COO), Igor Krnajski (Executive Vice President - Development), Danette Opaczewski (Senior Vice President -Finance) and Gene Pressman (design/creative consultant).
Team's Modern Interpretation of Hospitality
Joining The James as Partner and Chief Operating Officer is Brad Wilson. He was most recently V.P. Operations and a founder of W Hotels Worldwide, where he helped engineer the company's service and brand evolution. At The James Wilson will oversee the company's guest-centric philosophy, focusing on authentic hospitality and day-to-day operations as well as driving a brand-wide sales strategy and culture. Wilson's first goal is to develop and maintain a superior operations team. "Our goal is to provide unobtrusive service that's engaging, friendly, customized, fun and efficient," said Wilson. "We've assembled a team of proven industry leaders to introduce a modern interpretation of classic hospitality into comfortable, stylish and inviting properties," he continued.
Wilson explains that the power of the partnership will be clear when The James Chicago opens in early 2006. "We put ourselves in the guests' shoes, with the amount of thought and time that went into the guestroom design, from Stephen Hanson sleeping in a room under construction to Gene Pressman and me checking to make sure every light switch was in the right place and included a dimmer. We sweated every detail because as a group we think the guest should never be inconvenienced. This hotel has the modern style of today's boutique hotels, but we are not being trendy for trends' sake."
The Power of Partnering
Lending his legendary creative marketing savvy to The JAMES hotels is noted creative consultant Gene Pressman, who began his career at Barneys New York, and 17 years later, was named co-Chairman and co-CEO of Barneys New York. His impressive climb was due to constant innovation, vision, and his unique ability to set style trends by identifying up-and-coming brands.
Under Pressman's leadership, Barneys New York emerged as the defining retail force and set the standard for marketing and merchandising. In the same way, Pressman will lend his expertise to The James by guiding the creative marketing strategy, design and branding efforts. Pressman will collaborate with architect Deborah Berke, who designed The James Scottsdale and is noted for her high-profile commissions, including the Yale School of Art & Theater and ck - Calvin Klein in NY. Branding guru Doug Lloyd will oversee the graphic image of the brand and the group's Chicago hotel. Lloyd has been the force behind the look of many campaigns and product lines for top fashion and fragrance brands, including Gucci, Estee Lauder, Barneys New York, Cole Haan, Club Monaco, Ebel and Movado. One of the leading pioneers in American cooking today, David Burke will develop a distinctive steakhouse, David Burke's Primehouse, for The James Chicago. Blending his talents as chef, inventor, artist and entrepreneur, Burke's steakhouse will introduce a new dining experience into Chicago.
Back-of-the-House Team
Overseeing the construction of every property, Igor Krnajski takes on the role of Executive Vice President - Development. As a specialist in project and construction management, Krnajski will oversee all aspects of development for The JAMES Hotels, from initial design through completion. Krnajski has overseen high-profile, multimillion dollar residential construction and conversions in New York City, and earlier in his career, large commercial projects in the UK.
Senior Vice President of Finance Danette Opaczewski comes to The JAMES hotels with a strong, multi-disciplined financial and operational background in the hospitality industry. She will help launch The JAMES hotels from a financial perspective. She served most recently as Vice President of Operations/Finance for Ian Schrager Hotels, capping off a decade of service with the company. She joined Schrager as a multi-property controller, became general manager of the Royalton, and then moved to a corporate position.
The Promise
The James was created with compassion-for-the-guest as a core philosophy, and already had a head start when its first property in Scottsdale was hailed by influential media as "an oasis of cool" and "America's sexiest resort." But company founders Stephen Hanson and Danny Errico currently have five more properties in mind - and this is only the beginning for the uncompromising pioneers.
Each James property will strive to provide a memorable experience that integrates comfortable lodging with a first-rate gym, exceptional dining, a fun bar, a soothing spa, the latest technology, cutting-edge event space, beautiful guest rooms, and above all, caring service. The James will be the first hotel brand to provide a modern classic environment with comfort, fun, and friendly service, and it will finally fill the niche between luxury and boutique hotels.
Executive offices of The JAMES hotels are located at 450 West 15th St. NYC, telephone 212-331-0304.
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