Marriott to open five new Edition hotels

Marriott International has announced five new hotels for its lifestyle, Ian Schrager-partnership Edition brand. New projects under construction include Bangkok and Abu Dhabi, as well as contracts signed for hotels in Los Angeles and Gurgaon, India. One of the most talked about is the New York Edition, located at the landmark Clock Tower building at 5 Madison Avenue, which was acquired for $165 million from prior owner Africa Israel USA. While design work is already underway, the renovation and conversion of the building will begin in late 2012. "While the rollout of the Edition brand was slowed by the global economic downturn, we remain strongly committed to this brand and are dedicated to its continued development and success," said Arne Sorenson, Marriott's incoming CEO and current president and COO. The Bangkok Edition will be part of a mixed-use development planned for one of the tallest buildings in Bangkok, while the Abu Dhabi property will be part of the Al Bateen Harbor complex within the Abu Dhabi Marina. Marriott is also developing Edition hotels in Miami Beach and London.