New York Marriott Celebrates 10th Anniversary

At the Brooklyn Bridge

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. October 14, 2008

AUGUST 4, 2008. On July 29, 2008, the staff of the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge gathered in the hotel's main lobby with Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz to celebrate the hotel's 10th anniversary since its opening in July 1998. As proof of its success in the city's largest borough, it has nearly doubled in size with 291 additional guest rooms built in a tower adjacent to the original property. The hotel now boasts 667 guest rooms, from its original 376, making it Marriott International's second largest hotel in the city. The hotel is positioned as a first choice contender for long-lead groups and convention business. It also serves as a destination hotel for the many international leisure travelers, whose numbers in New York City have increased significantly in the past year.

But the outlook was not always so rosy. In a New York Times article 10 years ago, one journalist wrote "In the latest wrinkle in a buoyant surge of tourism that has swept New York for more than two years, Brooklyn, that historically rich, much maligned place of 2.3 million people that the Dodgers, Barbra Streisand and Woody Allen left, is suddenly on the itinerary. At least for an intrepid few." (Thomas Lueck, The New York Times, July 6, 1998).

"A decade ago, the Marriott became an early, shining example of what we now call the 'Brooklyn Renaissance' and, under the visionary leadership of its general manager, Sam Ibrahim, has since nearly doubled in size and remains a world-class destination for leisure and business travelers alike from around the world," said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. "I applaud Marriott International, Muss Development and Sam for having a vision of Brooklyn's bright future and playing a large role in making that dream come true. On behalf of all Brooklynites, I say bravo to Brooklyn Marriott for ten extraordinarily successful years - with many more to come."

In September 2006, the Brooklyn Marriott completed a 24-story expansion tower, complemented by premium retail space along Adams Street, including New York City's second Morton's The Steakhouse, which is scheduled to open later this year. All 667 rooms are completely new or renovated, with Marriott's new bedding and furnishings, including flat screen TVs, connectivity panels, built-in coffee nooks and mini-refrigerators. Outdoors, the pedestrian plaza that links Adams and Jay Streets, between the main hotel building and the new tower, was enhanced with new street furniture, lighting and landscaping. A two-level pedestrian bridge connects the expansion to the existing hotel. The additional sleeping rooms enable the hotel to reach out to long-lead groups and convention business, while remaining flexible to meet local needs and provide availability for individual business and leisure travelers.

When it opened in 1998, the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge was, and continues to be, the first and only full service hotel in Brooklyn. Built and owned by Muss Development LLC, a real estate development company which has been in business in New York City since 1906, the Brooklyn Marriott was the first newly constructed hotel in Brooklyn in 64 years.

"When we first floated the idea of a large, full-service hotel in Downtown Brooklyn, there were skeptics, to put it mildly," said Joshua L. Muss, principal of Muss Development. "But we and those who participated with us, including the Marriott Corporation and Leucadia International, had a strong belief in the potential of the area. Ten years later, the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge has far exceeded everyone's expectations and serves as a leading example of Brooklyn's renaissance."

Sam Ibrahim, who has been the hotel's general manager since 2000, thanked Marty Markowitz for his constant promotion of Brooklyn as an international destination. The Brooklyn Borough President has even served as a strong ambassador for the borough at Marriott travel industry events in the United Kingdom.

"About 70 percent of our hotel staff is from Brooklyn. Neighborhood pride and culture have been the key to some of the best customer satisfaction scores throughout Marriott," says Ibrahim. "That's why the staff is so invested. Everyone is proud to refer to this as 'their' hotel. 'It's our hotel, it's Brooklyn's hotel', they say."

The New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge is located at 333 Adams Street in Downtown Brooklyn. For reservations and information, call: 1-800-228-9290 or visit www.brooklynmarriott.com