The lodging industry’s equivalent of The Little Engine That Could, the New York Marriott Brooklyn has surprised everyone with its strength. During the first two quarters of this year, average hotel occupancies in New York City hovered near 76%, according to Cheryl Boyer at the PricewaterhouseCoopers Hospitality Consulting Practice.

Meanwhile, the New York Marriott Brooklyn enjoyed occupancy of nearly 83%; by year-end 1999 those rates are expected to increase to 85%.

“We’ve always believed in Brooklyn and we’re happy that Brooklyn residents now have the first-class hotel they’ve needed and deserved,” said hotel developer and owner Joshua Muss. “The Brooklyn Marriott, with its gracious guest rooms, large meeting space and elegant Archives restaurant and bar, has become a true community gathering place,” Muss continued.
The New York Marriott Brooklyn’s opening last year underscored the $1.5 billion urban revitalization that had transformed Brooklyn’s downtown over the previous decade. During the course of this year, several actual and proposed downtown developments have continued to draw attention to the bustling area.

Plans are underway to build Montague Street’s first new high-rise in nearly 30 years. A multiple-screen cinema complex, complete with a Barnes and Noble bookstore, is under construction on Court Street. City officials are in advanced discussions with Miramax Pictures and Tribeca Productions to create a huge film production sound stage in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Several major DUMBO area buildings are being renovated for commercial and
residential condominiums. A new Flatbush Avenue terminal for the Long Island Rail Road, with a large commercial center, is in the advance stages of planning.

Through May 1, the New York Marriott Brooklyn hosted 145,000 overnight guests, served 330,000 meals, and finessed one of the lowest staff turnovers in the industry—less than 10% versus an industry average of 40%.

The hotel employs 350 people, the majority of whom are Brooklyn residents.

Several high-profile local events were staged at the long-awaited hotel this past year. The Brooklyn Children’s Museum 100th Anniversary Gala, Brooklyn Eats, a restaurant tasting event sponsored by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, and the annual Brooklyn Democratic Dinner are just a few examples. In addition to an extraordinary demand locally, the New York Marriott Brooklyn has orchestrated meetings and events for numerous Manhattan blue-chip customers.

Likewise, the film and television industry sought space at the New York Marriott Brooklyn. Its high ceilings are good for lighting, its underground parking makes equipment load-in easy and its spacious guest rooms allow for depth of field. The hotel has already been featured in “Random Hearts,” starring Harrison Ford, and an episode of “Law Order.” Additional productions are being considered.

The New York Marriott Brooklyn’s family of guests and employees apparently never went home hungry. Over the last year, Executive Chef Gary Rehaut ordered over 33,000 pounds of butcher products, nearly 20,000 pounds of seafood, approximately 31,000 pounds of dairy products and last but not least, over 700 Junior’s cheesecakes.

More than 40% of the hotel’s purchases are from Brooklyn vendors.

Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) partnered with Muss Development Co., The Carlyle Group, Leucadia National Corporation and the City of New York to develop and manage the New York Marriott Brooklyn. The hotel is part of a mixed-use retail and commercial development, which also houses 800,000 square feet of office and retail space, and an 1,100-space parking garage.

Located at 333 Adam Street, the New York Marriott Brooklyn offers 376 spacious guest rooms, 27,000 square feet of convention and meeting space, an 18,000-square-foot Grand
Ballroom (the fourth largest in New York City), The Archives restaurant, bar and lobby lounge, and an 8,000-square-foot health club with 75-foot lap pool. For hotel information, please call 718-246-7000.

Kathleen Duffy at 212-704-8906