December 17, 2014 – CHICAGO – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) and FSA Group S.A. announced today that joint venture entities formed by Hyatt affiliates and FSA Group have entered into agreements to purchase two sites in Brazil to develop Hyatt Place Sorocaba and Hyatt Place Macaé. Upon the closing of the site acquisitions, the joint venture entities will enter into agreements with FSA Group to manage the design, planning and construction of the hotels and with Hyatt affiliates to provide management services in connection with the operation of the hotels upon opening, which is expected in the first quarter of 2017.
These two hotels are part of a larger master development agreement between Hyatt affiliates and FSA Group to develop a total of nine Hyatt Place hotels across Brazil. The first hotel as part of this agreement, Hyatt Place São José do Rio Preto, was announced in April 2014 and is expected to open in mid-2016.
Hyatt Place Sorocaba
Located approximately 100 kilometers from the city of Sao Paulo, Sorocaba is one of the region’s most important industrial cities, serving as headquarters for numerous multinational companies across diverse industry sectors. Hyatt Place Sorocaba will be a component of a mixed-use project known as Iguatemi Esplanada owned by Iguatemi Empresa de Shopping Centers S.A. (Iguatemi), one of Brazil’s largest retail developers and the owner of many high-end retail malls throughout Brazil. The Iguatemi Esplanada completed a large expansion of its retail component in November 2013, and plans to add two office towers and a luxury residential component in phases over the next several years. The 176-room Hyatt Place hotel will feature a lobby lounge and restaurant, a fitness center, and approximately 200 square meters of flexible meeting space.
Hyatt Place Macaé
Macaé, located approximately 180 kilometers northeast from the city of Rio de Janeiro, has a large multinational presence and is an economic center for tourism, fishing and most notably, petroleum as it is the main center for offshore oil exploration in Brazil. Hyatt Place Macaé will be located on a beachfront site in the neighborhood of Cavaleiros. The area boasts a large selection of seafront restaurants and nightlife entertainment. The 142-room hotel will feature a roof-top pool, a lobby lounge and restaurant, a fitness center, and approximately 160 square meters of flexible meeting space. The seller of the site is Praia Campista Macaé Empreendimentos Imobiliários Ltda, an affiliate of Primus Realty.
“We are thrilled to be announcing two additional Hyatt Place hotels in Brazil that will be developed under our master development agreement with FSA. 2014 has been a milestone year for Hyatt in Brazil, with the announcement of our plans to introduce the Hyatt Place brand in Brazil,” said Pat McCudden, senior vice president of real estate and development, Latin America & Caribbean, Hyatt. “Hyatt’s Brazilian and Latin American growth strategy for Hyatt Place is very active, supported by the brand’s upscale and modern style which is appealing to today’s traveler. Sorocaba and Macaé are attractive destinations with vibrant economies, and we believe the Hyatt Place hotels will be well-positioned to meet the needs of business and leisure travelers to these cities.”
“Our relationship with Hyatt is progressing at a dynamic and meaningful pace and we couldn’t be happier to be announcing these two additional hotels within six months of our first Hyatt Place hotel announcement,” said Ary Krivopisk, Brazil CEO of FSA Group. “Hyatt Place is a unique concept in the market and we are convinced that these new high quality hotels in Sorocaba, Macaé and São José do Rio Preto will be highly regarded and popular. We continue to seek new opportunities for growth and investment throughout the region.”
Hyatt’s Brand Representation and Growth in Brazil
Hyatt is currently represented in Brazil by Grand Hyatt São Paulo, a 466-room full-service, luxury hotel. Currently under construction is the 436-room Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro, which is scheduled to open in late 2015 in Rio de Janeiro’s Barra da Tijuca borough.
In September 2014, Hyatt announced Brazil’s first Park Hyatt hotel, Park Hyatt Foz do Iguaçu, which is expected to open in 2017. In April 2014, Hyatt Place São José do Rio Preto was the first Hyatt Place hotel to be announced under the landmark master development agreement between a Hyatt affiliate and FSA Group for nine Hyatt Place hotels throughout Brazil. Currently under design and scheduled to begin construction in December 2014, the 150-room hotel will be the third Hyatt-branded hotel in the country when it opens in 2016. Hyatt Place São José do Rio Preto and Hyatt Place Sorocaba are both being developed as part of a strategic relationship with Iguatemi.
Forward-Looking Statements
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