ARTIC Unveils Newly Transformed Crowne Plaza Manhattan Times Square in New York

Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Company (ARTIC) has officially celebrated the opening of the transformed Crowne Plaza Manhattan Times Square, marking a major milestone in the Qatari company’s growing US hospitality portfolio. The launch followed the completion of an extensive transformation of one of its landmark hospitality assets in New York City.

The official opening event was attended by Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of Al Faisal Holding; Sheikh Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, Board Member of Al Faisal Holding; Tarek M. El Sayed, Managing Director and CEO of ARTIC; Cyril Mouawad, Chief Operating Officer; Gregory Polino, Head of Asset Management – USA; and Mohamed El Sayed, Deputy Head of Asset Management – USA. They were joined by members of the IHG Hotels & Resorts leadership team, including Jolyon Bulley, CEO, Americas; Colin McDonald, Managing Director and SVP; and Peter Clarke, Vice President, Franchise Operations Americas. Also attending from Highgate, the hotel operator, were Mahmood Khimji, Co-Founder and Chairman, and Arash Azarbarizan, Principal and CEO, alongside senior representatives from ARTIC, IHG Hotels & Resorts and Highgate, as well as guests.

Situated at 790 Seventh Avenue in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, the 22-storey property occupies a prime location just steps from Times Square, Rockefeller Center, the Broadway Theatre District and Central Park. The hotel offers 685 guestrooms and suites featuring city views following an extensive upgrade designed to enhance its competitive standing in Manhattan.

Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of Al Faisal Holding, stated that the opening marks another milestone in ARTIC’s international journey and reflects the capacity of Qatar’s private sector companies to expand and compete successfully in global markets. Tarek M. El Sayed, Managing Director and CEO of ARTIC, noted that the extensive refurbishment has modernised the property's design, guestrooms, dining, and event spaces while preserving its distinctive New York character and integrating sustainable materials.

The upgraded property features the exclusive Manhattan Level on its upper floors, providing spacious suites and panoramic views of the New York skyline, alongside the Broadway Suite on the 22nd floor. The hotel continues to operate under the Crowne Plaza brand through a partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts and hotel operator Highgate.