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Today Friday, September 18, 2026
Original operations The Hospitality Newsletter Team · ·For: Owner, GM, Revenue, Investor

IHG Opens Crowne Plaza Americas Flagship in Times Square

The 685-room Crowne Plaza Manhattan Times Square opens as IHG's regional flagship, developed by ARTIC and operated by Highgate.

The short answer

IHG Hotels & Resorts has opened the 685-room Crowne Plaza Manhattan Times Square as its regional flagship in New York City. The 22-story property was developed by ARTIC, is managed by Highgate, and occupies a landmark built for the 1964 World's Fair.

685
city-view guestrooms
total inventory
22
building stories
Broadway and 49th Street
“Our ambition was to transform this landmark property into a distinctive destination that combines contemporary design, functionality and enhanced guest experiences. Working closely with IHG, we have reimagined the hotel while preserving its unique character, and we are delighted to see its new chapter begin as Crowne Plaza Manhattan Times Square.”
Tarek M. El Sayed, managing director/CEO, ARTIC
IHG Opens Crowne Plaza Americas Flagship in Times Square
Photo: Quang Nguyen Vinh / Pexels

The short version

  • IHG has opened the 685-room Crowne Plaza Manhattan Times Square as its new Americas brand flagship.
  • ARTIC developed the 22-story property, while Highgate manages day-to-day operations at the 1964 World's Fair landmark site.
  • Fifty-First Street Social and the 24/7 Marketplace anchor the hotel's on-site food and beverage offerings.

IHG Hotels & Resorts has opened the Crowne Plaza Manhattan Times Square as its new Americas flagship property. Developed by Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Company (ARTIC) and operated by Highgate, the 22-story, 685-room hotel occupies a New York landmark on Broadway and 49th Street that originally opened for the 1964 New York World's Fair.

Who owns and manages the new Crowne Plaza flagship?

International investor Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Company (ARTIC) serves as the property developer, while hospitality management firm Highgate oversees day-to-day operations [1]. According to Hotel Business, the asset is housed within a 22-story structure on Broadway and 49th Street, originally built to support visitors attending the 1964 New York World's Fair [1].

hotel exterior building facade street view
Photo: Crab Lens / Pexels

The physical transformation preserves the historic exterior character of the property while upgrading interior infrastructure to align with IHG's New Modern design standard [1]. Lodging Magazine reported that the opening establishes a primary operational hub for the Crowne Plaza brand in North America [2].

What guestroom and suite inventory does the property provide?

The hotel inventory includes 685 city-view guestrooms alongside specialized suites on its upper tiers [1]. As Lodging Magazine reported, the hotel's higher levels comprise the Manhattan Level, a dedicated block of rooms and suites designed with residential comforts to support guests traveling for blended business and leisure purposes [2].

hotel penthouse suite terrace skyline
Photo: Max Vakhtbovych / Pexels

Occupying the 22nd floor, the Broadway Suite acts as the building's flagship penthouse accommodation, featuring a private outdoor terrace with direct skyline views [2]. Public spaces and corridors feature custom installations, including large-scale murals created by Brazilian-born, Atlanta-based artist Tiago Magro [1].

Property AttributeSpecification / DetailsOperational Role
Total Room Inventory685 guestroomsFull-service commercial and leisure capacity [1]
Building Profile22 stories (built for 1964 World's Fair)Historic midtown high-rise landmark [1]
Premium Room TierThe Manhattan Level (upper floors)Elevated rooms and skyline suites [2]
Top Suite AccommodationThe Broadway Suite (22nd floor)Penthouse retreat with large terrace [2]
Asset Owner / DeveloperAl Rayyan Tourism Investment Company (ARTIC)Long-term capital owner and developer [1]
Third-Party OperatorHighgateOn-site hotel operations management [1]
Primary F&B OutletFifty-First Street SocialAll-day dining and bar program [1]
Grab-and-Go Facility24/7 MarketplaceRound-the-clock retail food and essentials [1]

How does the food and beverage program operate?

Dining operations center on Fifty-First Street Social, an all-day restaurant and bar concept designed for both hotel patrons and local neighborhood traffic [1]. For quick-service requirements, the hotel runs a 24/7 Marketplace that provides packaged grab-and-go meal items along with travel essentials [1].

hotel restaurant bar dining room
Photo: Anthony Rahayel / Pexels

As reported by Hotel Business, the food and beverage program incorporates brand initiatives called Weekly Socials [1]. These events serve curated destination-inspired menus designed to bring corporate travelers and neighborhood visitors together in the communal areas [1].

What meeting facilities and guest amenities are on site?

Dedicated event inventory includes flexible venues for small team gatherings alongside The Studio, an intimate collaborative space located adjacent to the ground-floor lobby [1]. Meeting planners have access to an on-site Meetings & Events Concierge service to coordinate daily technical, seating, and banquet logistics [1].

Wellness amenities include the brand's Daily Rituals schedule, which Lodging Magazine outlined as a series of morning and evening routines featuring restorative wellness options and sleep-enhancing amenities [2]. The midtown site provides pedestrian access to commercial office towers, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, and Broadway theaters [1].

Reported by

This article was written from the following reporting. Follow the links for the original coverage.

Frequently asked

+Where is the new Crowne Plaza Americas flagship located?

Crowne Plaza Manhattan Times Square is located on Broadway and 49th Street in New York City, steps from Times Square, the Broadway Theater District, Central Park, and Rockefeller Center.

+Who owns and operates Crowne Plaza Manhattan Times Square?

The property was developed by Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Company (ARTIC) and is managed by third-party hotel operator Highgate under the Crowne Plaza brand from IHG Hotels & Resorts.

+How many guestrooms does the property offer?

The 22-story property features 685 city-view guestrooms, including upper-floor Manhattan Level accommodations and the 22nd-floor Broadway Suite penthouse retreat with a large terrace.

+What dining concepts are available inside the hotel?

The property includes Fifty-First Street Social, an all-day bar and restaurant, alongside a 24/7 Marketplace that provides grab-and-go meals, snacks, and travel essentials around the clock.

+What meeting spaces are on site for corporate groups?

The hotel provides flexible spaces for small team sessions, The Studio collaborative workspace located just steps from the lobby, and dedicated Meetings & Events Concierge service support.

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