I DON ’ T GOLF , I DON ’ T HUNT , I DON ’ T FISH . I DON ’ T HAVE ANY HOBBIES OTHER THAN WORKING AND BEING INVOLVED IN THESE INCREDIBLY EXCITING DESTINATIONS THAT WE CREATE .
– JIM ALLEN
RT60 rooftop bar and lounge offers city views from the 34th floor
is not going away anytime soon . “ We are very optimistic about the long-term success of this location , and obviously , the Hard Rock brand ,” he says . “ We ’ ve looked at dozens of locations over the last 10 years . When this location became available to our partnership with Extell Development ’ s Gary Barnett , we were very excited about its proximity to so many unbelievable destinations and attractions .”
This summer should start to show some upside for New York property as it focuses on its core elements , music and entertainment , as well as capitalizes on a rooftop venue . What would really help move the needle is better inbound international travel , but Allen sees that as a year or two off . “ But , when you look at the quality of the rooms , the size of the rooms , and the meeting space , we definitely believe that becomes part of the business opportunity for meeting in group business – and frankly , really good business social ,” Allen continues .
As Allen manages the rebound from COVID and works with the tribal council to strategically use capital in a way that makes sure there is a longer-term plan to protect the livelihood and sovereignty of the tribes , there is another slowly developing hotel opportunity – the limited-service Reverb hotel brand . It was first launched in 2017 and then ran into legal challenges before reaching a settlement .
Allen says everyone loves the Reverb concept and deals are in place for 10 to 20 projects , adding there is one potential deal for some 100 Reverbs over a number of years in a specific but unnamed country . “ I ’ m still watching it … I think it is very cool concept in the select-service category … I just think it still needs to grow and find its uniqueness in this space .”
More personally , Allen , who over
his 40-year career has worked with the Trump Organization , Hilton Hotels & Resorts , Hemmeter Companies , Park Place Entertainment and Sun International Resorts , says he would like to see the United States find a pathway to get back a little closer to “ the middle of the conversation about life , and obviously that ties into business .”
He adds that conversations about topics like diversity , where he says Hard Rock has an excellent track record , are extremely important . “ The more we can find the ability to talk in the center , then frankly , there is more compassion to deal with some of these issues that have been neglected in the past and some people find troublesome .”
In the meantime , Allen says the reward becomes the teams enjoying the success and benefiting the 4,400 members of the Seminole Tribe . “ I universally say , ‘ I don ’ t golf , I don ’ t hunt , I don ’ t fish . I don ’ t have any hobbies other than working and being involved in these incredibly exciting destinations that we create .’”
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