Hospitality Mergers: Addressing the Changing Guest

Over the past year, the hospitality industry has witnessed the birth of a colossus. In the wake of the Marriott / Starwood merger, which recently received anti-trust approval in China, the hospitality industry has attempted to project what comes next. Many of the sentiments point to doomsday issues involving non-trivial concerns wrapped around ownership agreements, customer reward programs, and… Continue Reading Hospitality Mergers: Addressing the Changing Guest

Shake it Up: Agents of Change in Commercial Real Estate

Technology is changing the landscape of many industries, and real estate is no exception. As we head into 2017, it is apparent that real estate is impacted by the tremendous technological changes in building materials, e-commerce, crowd-funding, and online marketplaces; Airbnb anyone? The 2016 Cornell Real Estate Conference on October 13th and 14th is aptly titled… Continue Reading Shake it Up: Agents of Change in Commercial Real Estate

Distinguished Speaker Series: John T. Livingston, Chief Executive and co-founder of AECOM Capital

The Baker Program in Real Estate welcomes Mr. John T. Livingston, CEO of AECOM Capital, to this week’s Distinguished Speaker Series. Since its formation in 2013, AECOM Capital has invested in 14 projects with a total development value of 3.5 billion dollars. AECOM Capital is a subsidiary of AECOM (NYSE: ACM) a fully integrated infrastructure… Continue Reading Distinguished Speaker Series: John T. Livingston, Chief Executive and co-founder of AECOM Capital

Cornell Real Estate Women (CornellREW) Formation

The Baker Program in Real Estate is pleased to announce the formation of Cornell Real Estate Women (CornellREW), a newly established professional and graduate student organization at Cornell. The mission of CornellREW is the promotion and advancement of professional women in real estate. Starting with current graduate and professional students at Cornell, the main objective of… Continue Reading Cornell Real Estate Women (CornellREW) Formation

Disruption: Real Estate’s Hurdle

Disruption [dis-ruhp-shuh n] noun: 1. Forcible separation or division into parts; 2. A disrupted condition; 3. Business. A radical change in an industry, business strategy, etc., especially involving the introduction of a new product or service that creates a new market. The future of digital innovation exists right now. Throughout everyday life, the digital grid… Continue Reading Disruption: Real Estate’s Hurdle

New Luxury Condos in a Historic Landmark: Converting the Waldorf Astoria

For nearly a century, the Waldorf-Astoria has been the definition of luxury hospitality in New York City. Its lavish suites and ornate Art Deco architecture have made the hotel a longtime favorite of celebrities and U.S. Presidents. Very soon, this landmark building will begin a new chapter in its famed history, as a new owner has plans… Continue Reading New Luxury Condos in a Historic Landmark: Converting the Waldorf Astoria

Marriott vs. Anbang: Takeover Battle For Starwood Is Reaching Historic Proportions

After Offer From Anbang-Led Group Puts Marriott-Starwood Deal In Jeopardy, Marriott Answers Right Back Takeover battles capture the imagination of Wall Street and the investing public.  The relative rarity of their occurrence in the Real Estate and Hospitality sector only adds to the intrigue when they happen.  This most recently happened earlier this year with… Continue Reading Marriott vs. Anbang: Takeover Battle For Starwood Is Reaching Historic Proportions

Paul Macpherson of Kerzner International Visits the Baker Program

The Cornell Baker Program in Real Estate cordially welcomes Paul Macpherson, Executive Vice President of Global Business and Real Estate Development of Kerzner International to the weekly Distinguished Speaker Series. With over two decades of hospitality development experience, Macpherson brings a unique and significant skill set to the exclusive discussion. Macpherson began his post with Kerzner International 12… Continue Reading Paul Macpherson of Kerzner International Visits the Baker Program

Marriott Buying Starwood Hotels and Resorts in Largest Hotel Merger

As the week began this morning, the business world and indeed the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration were hit with the surprise news that Marriott International Inc. has agreed to buy Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc. in a deal valued at $12.2 billion.  The deal creates the world’s largest hotel company and concludes… Continue Reading Marriott Buying Starwood Hotels and Resorts in Largest Hotel Merger