THE INTERVIEW : JOHN PRITZKER
tertiary cities , we could do one or two Joie de Vivres . Where we would do one Thompson in a major city , we could do three Tommies . So it is the discipline of focus that is the biggest challenge . H : What gets you up in the morning ? JP : I do bolt out of the house . On a micro level when I was an operator , it was getting in at 7 a . m . with all these great plans that got thrown out the window by 7:20 a . m . because of all the things that happened . It was the unpredictability , and I loved that .
The other thing is the creativity . I don ’ t mean picking colors or marketing campaigns . It is figuring out a deal structure or putting together a job offer . Niki was pretty happy at Kimpton , but the opportunity to woo her and negotiate a deal that was exciting to her is the kind of thing that gets me up in the morning . I used to dread issues that would present problems , but as I have gotten older I have come to understand problems are part and parcel of every business , and even the problems offer the opportunities to find creative remedies and a sense of satisfaction once resolved .
H : You have kept a low profile in the industry . Is that intentional ?
JP : I don ’ t view myself as a big , booming personality . What we need to do for our employees and owners can be accomplished by going to hotels and focusing on senior management as well as it can by going to conferences . I have people a lot smarter than me who can go do the conference thing . I will do more now that my youngest child is out of the house . I was very focused on the kids . I didn ’ t want to be one of those guys who woke up one morning and realized they have grown up and I didn ’ t see them .
H : What do you want to accomplish with Commune ?
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JP : I would like to build a wellregarded company known for its thoughtfulness in design and human interaction . I am not looking to build the biggest ; I ’ d like to build the best — only for the long haul . I don ’ t want to be the “ thing du jour .” I ’ d like to build a long-lasting foundation .
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Beehive activity at the “ camp for adults ,” Carmel Valley Ranch in California , one of Pritzker ’ s proudest acquisitions and redevelopments
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www . hotelsmag . com October 2013 HOTELS 51