Thompson hotels and Joie de Vivre Hospitality merge to form global lifestyle hotel group
Thompson Hotels, the company behind a new luxury property to open in London later this year, is to merge with Joie de Vivre Hospitality.
The joining of the two US-based companies will result in a new venture to be known as JT Hospitality, which intends to become a multi-brand lifestyle hotel group with properties worldwide. The united business involves 45 hotels.
Thompson Hotels chief executive Stephen Brandman, who will serve as chief executive of the new company based in New York, would like to see the new group grow to 75 hotels within three to five years. A global branding strategy for the company is expected to be unveiled in early 2012.
Thompson Hotels announced last year that it would open its first European property in London in summer 2010, a date that has now been revised to "late 2011".
The 85-bedroom Belgraves hotel is being developed on the site of the former Sheraton Belgravia, which closed at the end of 2009. Being developed as a joint venture with the Hong Kong-based Harilela Group, the hotel will include an 80-seat destination restaurant and a library bar.
Interiors will be by British designer Tara Bernerd, with the architectural design by EPR Architects.
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By Janet Harmer
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