Qatar Buys Iconic Plaza Hotel for $600M

The Plaza Hotel In New York Is Closed Amid The Coronavirus.

Qatar-owned Katara Holding is buying the Plaza Hotel for $600M, bringing to a close an ongoing saga surrounding the future ownership of the storied property.

The sale includes a 75% stake in Sahara India Pariwar, Reuters reports, and comes as three other would-be buyers jostled to strike a deal with its affiliate, Sahara U.S. Corp., the current majority owner.

Last month, Sahara had reportedly reached an agreement to sell the hotel to investors Shahal Khan and the Hakim Organization for $600M, after shopping the property for the past three years.

Minority owners Ashkenazy Acquisition Corp. and Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal's Kingdom Holding Co. sued to try and block the sale, arguing they had first right of refusal. They then matched the $600M offer, but abruptly pulled out of the offer to buy and opted to sell their 25% instead. Another possible buyer, United Capital Real Estate Development Corp., emerged as a third buyer late last month.

But, according to The Real Deal, Hassim Bin Jabber Al-Thani, a former Qatari prime minister, owned $400M in debt on the property that was coming due. This is the first property Katara has bought in New York City. It already owns the Savoy Hotel and the Connaught Hotel in London.

Continue reading this story with a free account

Log in or register
Sign up for more articles like this
Subscribe to Bisnow's New York Newsletters
Related Stories

NYC Office Investor Warns It Could Go Under As Defaults Pile Up

Sixty Beverly Hills Hotel Heads Back To Special Servicing

Controversial $18M Charlotte-Area Hotel Project Gets Rezoning Approval

Chetrit Group 'Being Dissolved' As Family Turmoil Spirals

Century 21 Retail Redevelopment Advances With New Financing, Leases: The N.Y. Deal Sheet

CGI Merchant Had A-Rod's Backing And A $650M Fund. Then It Bought Trump's D.C. Hotel And It All Fell Apart

Oceanwide Buyers Want Tax Incentives For 184-Room Hotel

Maturing Debt Triggers Wave Of Distressed Hotel Sales Across California

Bally's Debt Obligations Raise Doubts Over Casino Operator's Future

Tax Break Fight Threatens Development In Housing-Starved Long Island

Vornado, Related's Google-Anchored Office Building Faces 'Imminent Default'

KHP Sells West Hollywood Kimpton To Japanese Hotel Company For $63M