Co-presented by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) and Burba Hotel Network (BHN), the ALIS awards recognize outstanding hotel industry achievement in four categories: development, mergers and acquisitions, single asset transaction and financial advisor.  According to award officials, Dubai’s $440-million purchase of the Essex House received considerable support from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and New York’s Local 6 Union, and was preemptively completed during a highly competitive investment sales process.

In addition to serving as lead investment advisor on the purchase, Oxford Lodging was named by Dubai as asset manager and development manager of the property, which includes serving as the owner’s representative overseeing the property manager and strategically leading the renovation and market repositioning activities.  The 605-room Midtown Manhattan landmark is currently undergoing a $45-million transformation into a luxury, five-star property.

“The ALIS award is testimony to Oxford Lodging’s strong working relationship with Dubai Investment Group – a partnership that spans the country with high-profile properties in California, Florida and New York,” said Robert D. Kline, president of Oxford Lodging Advisory & Investment Group, LLC.  “As the ongoing asset manager of the Essex House, we are delighted to continue to play a role in the hotel’s rich, 74-year history as a flagship property at the heart of one of the world’s most preferred business and vacation destinations.”

In June 2005, Oxford Lodging completed its second transaction with Longwing Real Estate Ventures, LLC, a member of the Dubai Investment Group – the purchase of the 417-room Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco and start of a $20-million, property-wide renovation slated for completion late this year.  The Sir Francis Drake acquisition came on the heels of the purchase by Oxford Lodging and Longwing of the Adam’s Mark Jacksonville Hotel, a 966-room, convention-oriented hotel on the St. Johns River that was subsequently reflagged the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront.

The partnership with Dubai Investment Group adds the Essex House to Oxford Lodging’s growing New York City portfolio, which includes the Radisson Lexington, the Doubletree Metropolitan and Milford Plaza properties – all of which are either undergoing or planning extensive renovations.

About Oxford Lodging Advisory & Investment Group, LLC 
Oxford Lodging Advisory & Investment Group, LLC is an advisory and investment firm focused on the investment, asset management, property management and renovation of high-quality lodging assets.  Oxford Lodging’s principals have been responsible for over $6 billion of lodging investments and have asset managed over 100 upscale and luxury hotels, resorts and conference centers.  The firm is currently responsible for a $2-billion, 8,200-room portfolio of luxury and upscale hotels, conference centers and resorts located throughout the United States and Japan.  Oxford Lodging’s principals and employees are direct investors in 65% of this portfolio.  Oxford Lodging is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Tokyo.  For more information on Oxford Lodging, please visit www.oxfordlodging.com. 

About Dubai Investment Group 
Dubai Investment Group (DIG) is the global financial investing subsidiary of Dubai Holding. Headquartered in the emirate of Dubai and with local offices that stretch from New York through London to Kuala Lumpur, the Group focuses on long and short-term investments with the potential to deliver exceptional and sustainable performance. DIG is structured as a conglomerate of investment companies. The Group has created and manages a diversified and rapidly expanding portfolio of direct and indirect investments.  It focuses on key sectors including financials, industrials, telecommunications and hotels. 

Sung Choi 
XPR, LLC for Oxford Lodging Advisory & Investment Group 
(949)388-7156 office 
[email protected]