Denihan Appoints Julie Purnell SVP Acquisitions and Development

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. May 09, 2012

May 9, 2012 - Denihan Hospitality Group announced that Julie Purnell has joined the company as senior vice president, acquisitions and development, effective immediately. She will be based at Denihan's newly-opened development office in downtown San Francisco, its first outside of Manhattan.

Purnell will be instrumental in managing the company's West Coast expansion efforts through new development and acquisitions, joint venture partnerships and management contracts.

A 25-year hospitality industry veteran, Purnell steps into her role at Denihan after serving in several key executive development positions at companies including Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, House of Blues Hospitality, Loews Hotels and, most recently, Marriott International.

According to Ellen Brown, executive vice president, acquisitions and development for Denihan, Purnell's appointment and the addition of a West Coast development office has been a critical component of Denihan's growth strategy.

"Denihan's focus on expanding to the West Coast is heavily supported by our existing customer base," said Brown. "The overall strength of the market fundamentals in key West Coast markets, combined with the loyal Denihan customer, should provide exciting growth opportunities for the company."

Brown added that target markets for Denihan in the Western U.S. include San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland and San Diego, among others.

"Adding Julie to our team further supports Denihan Hospitality Group's commitment to expanding our hotel portfolio and two brands -- Affinia Hotels and The James -- to the West Coast," said Brown. "Julie's knowledge of these markets and deep-seeded connections within the hospitality industry will be an asset to uncovering new opportunities for us."

"I'm thrilled with assuming this new role at Denihan during such a pivotal time in the company's commitment to growth," Purnell said. "Denihan has a 50-year legacy owning and operating real estate, and developing boutique brands and independent properties that drive real estate value. It's very exciting to be part of the company's most aggressive expansion strategy in its history."

Denihan Hospitality Group is a privately-held, full-service hotel management and development company that owns and operates 14 boutique hotels in major urban markets in the U.S. Over the past 50 years, the Denihan family has built a world-class lodging investment platform within the boutique hotel space, creating value by acquiring, repositioning and managing independent hotels.

The Denihan portfolio includes properties operating under The James and Affinia Hotels brands, as well as Manhattan luxury independents, The Surrey and The Benjamin, and affiliates including the Royal Palm in Miami, and The Mansfield and The Franklin in New York City. Denihan's hotels include an impressive list of chef-driven restaurants and bars, including Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian's The National Bar and Dining Rooms at The Benjamin; David Burke Kitchen at The James New York; Daniel Boulud's Cafe Boulud at The Surrey; David Burke's Primehouse at The James Chicago; and Art Smith's Art and Soul at the Liaison Capitol Hill, an Affinia hotel in Washington, D.C.