NEW YORK—In what will be one of the first major new hotel openings here since the beginning of the pandemic began, the Margaritaville Resort Times Square offered a first look at the property with much fanfare, including a performance from legendary singer—and business magnate—Jimmy Buffet. The resort will open to the public on July 1.
“I started this project in 2013, and after the most challenging eight years of my life; my team at Soho Properties and I are thrilled to be bringing the Margaritaville state of mind to the hustle and bustle of Manhattan,” said Sharif El-Gamal, chairman/CEO, Soho Properties, the owner and developer of Margaritaville Resort Times Square. “As soon as I met [Margaritaville CEO] John Cohlan, I saw something truly authentic and fun, and perhaps the most experiential lifestyle brand out there. I knew we had to have it here in New York City, and I knew that 560 Seventh Ave. needed to be the home of Margaritaville.”
With architecture by Stonehill Taylor and interior design by The McBride Company, the 32-story property features 234 island-inspired guestrooms; five restaurants and bar concepts including the signature Margaritaville Restaurant, LandShark Bar & Grill and 5 o’Clock Somewhere Rooftop Bar; the only year-round outdoor heated pool in Times Square on the property’s fourth floor; and amenities including a Margaritaville brand retail store on the street level, a fitness center and St. Somewhere bath amenities.
“With the opening of Margaritaville Resort Times Square, we’re excited to bring a true resort experience to the island of Manhattan,” said Cohlan. “So, now you can visit New York and vacation…in Margaritaville.”
Also on hand at the event was Fred Dixon, president/CEO, NYC & Company, the Big Apple’s destination marketing organization. “New York City is ready to welcome back travelers, and we are so excited Margaritaville Resort Times Square is one of the first brand-new hotels to be opening this year,” he said. “Margaritaville is bringing a vibrant, energetic and a world-class, one-of-a-kind destination to New York, and every bit of escapism we could all use right now.”