IHG announces the signing of the first EVEN™ Hotels property which will be located in New York City, with ownership group CWC, Inc.

The IHG managed hotel will be located at 219 E 44th Street in the heart of midtown Manhattan, and will be a flagship property for the brand. The hotel will be a new build scheduled to open in late 2014. The hotel will feature 23 guestroom floors and 230 guestrooms, dedicated meeting areas, and indoor and outdoor exercise and eating spaces for an impressive 87,000 square feet in total space.

"This is another important first for IHG. By developing our portfolio of preferred brands in line with emerging consumer preferences, we are meeting the needs of a new type of guest who's looking for hotels with an intrinsic focus on wellness in terms of food, work, exercise and rest," said Richard Solomons, chief executive officer, IHG. "New York City is an ideal location, being one of the most health-minded cities in the U.S. – so it will provide the EVEN Hotels brand with the right exposure to its target guest, the healthier-minded traveler."

With over 50.9 million visitors in 2011 alone, New York City is one of the strongest markets for the EVEN Hotels' target guest, and perfectly complements the 4 priority areas of the EVEN Hotels experience – eat, work, exercise and rest. New York City was ranked one of the top 50 healthiest cities in the U.S. in 2012, and it's no surprise with more than 1,700 parks, playgrounds, and recreation facilities across the five boroughs providing multiple opportunities for exercise. New York City has also led the charge on changes aimed at a healthier city experience including: banning the sale of sugary drinks over 16 oz., posting all calorie counts on menus and menu boards and banning the use of artificial trans-fats in foods.

"New York City is a key part of EVEN Hotels' distribution strategy and provides strong market exposure to healthier minded people both living and traveling to New York City, looking for a holistic wellness hotel experience," said Kirk Kinsell, president, the Americas, IHG. "We are excited about the start of this new owner relationship with CWC Inc. as it brings together IHG's branding and management expertise with CWC Inc.'s strong presence in the New York City real estate market."

EVEN Hotels meets the large and growing customer demand for a healthier travel experience and is another industry first for IHG. EVEN Hotels uniquely provides solutions for all aspects of travelers' wellness needs in the areas of food, work, exercise and rest – no other brand can do this under one roof. Joining IHG's existing seven hotel brands, EVEN Hotels will be a key pillar in IHG's portfolio of preferred brands and in the long term, a key driver in market share growth in the U.S.

IHG expects to sign 100 EVEN Hotels in the U.S. in the next 5 years under managed and franchised agreements in key markets including New York, Washington D.C. and San Francisco. IHG plans to announce additional locations over the next few months and to open the first EVEN hotel later on in 2013.