World Trade Center hotel plan in doubt

Developers want to include a hotel in their plans to rebuild the World Trade Center site in New York.

Each of six controversial proposals unveiled last week features a 600,000sq ft hotel and 600,000sq ft of retail space.

But officials admitted they may redraw the plans after claims were voiced at a public meeting in New York last weekend that they were too commercial.

The site of the former New York Marriott World Trade Center, which was destroyed in the 11 September terrorist attacks, is leased to property company Host Marriott Corporation. The 820-room hotel was managed by Marriott International.

But it is not certain that if a new hotel went ahead it would be Marriott-operated.

The site's landowners, the Port Authority of New York, said it had been in discussion with Host Marriott.

"If the hotel is to be built, Marriott would certainly be a factor," said spokesman Allen Morrison. But he stressed that all the plans were negotiable and work might not start for another two to three years.

A spokesman for Marriott International said: "Having had a Marriott-branded hotel there previously, we would have an interest in a Marriott flag being back there. That's why we are tracking it closely."

The proposals, which are open to public consultation, also include office towers and a memorial.

The Marriott World Trade Center hotel collapsed during the 11 September attacks and 940 guests and 360 employees were evacuated. Two employees died and 11 guests are still unaccounted for.

by Gillian Drummond

Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 25 - 31 July 2002