Ian Schrager partners with Highgate to expand Public brand

Ian Schrager Company has entered into a joint venture with Highgate to expand the Public hotel brand globally.

The partnership represents an evolution of Schrager’s long-standing business model and philosophy rooted in quality over quantity, standing out and delivering an original, one-of-a-kind, curated and elevated experience.

Highgate, with a diverse portfolio of hotels and over 80,000 keys across North America, Caribbean, Latin American and Europe, will operate and manage Public hotels in collaboration with Schrager, while Schrager retains full creative authority, vision and brand stewardship.

“I could have chosen anyone in the industry to partner with, but I chose Highgate,” says Schrager. “They are the smartest, most talented and most disciplined operators and investors in the business. This partnership allows me to focus entirely on what I do best – concept, product, positioning and experience, while allowing Highgate to do what they do best. To me, it’s a dream team, where 1+1 = 10.”

Highgate’s operating expertise is the ideal platform for Public’s next phase of growth, enabling expansion while preserving the originality and individuality that define Schrager’s work.

“Ian is the greatest hotelier of the modern era,” adds Mahmood Khimji of Highgate. “He literally invented the lifestyle category. We are extremely excited to be working with him to operate Public Hotels.”

With a career spanning more than five decades, Ian Schrager has opened nearly 50 hotels between his private label and the Edition brand. His concepts and ideas have both revolutionised and set the standard for the hospitality industry from a visual, operational, business model, above market profit margins, marketing and food and beverage perspective.

“I reject the notion of yesterday’s innovator becoming today’s establishment. I’m only interested in creating something original, unique and special that defies categorisation – something that people have not seen before,” continues Schrager. “In fact, I try to give people something that they did not even know they wanted or believe existed. I don’t believe in traditional demographics – that is an outdated concept, in my opinion. My projects have always appealed to a person’s sensibility, emotions and what and how they feel. If I was not accomplishing this, I would not be in the business.”

In a career filled with successes and firsts, Public is Schrager’s most important idea to date, in his view. Marking an social and cultural shift, it is a radical rethinking of luxury that delivers sophisticated design, great service, and a unique experience, at a less expensive price point.

The partnership also signals a broader creative chapter for Schrager, as he continues to assemble world-class collaborators across disciplines who share his commitment to originality and excellence. Later this year, he will announce a new F&B collaboration at Public New York with one of the most cutting-edge and talented figures in modern hospitality, further reinforcing that Public is about lasting experiences and unparalleled quality that delivers tremendous value.

Additionally, the forthcoming Public West Hollywood will embody Schrager’s commitment to pushing the envelope and thinking outside the box. This hotel will be defined by what it doesn’t have rather than what it does have. For example, each guestroom will not only be for sleeping, resting, dining, entertaining and working, but will also function as its own private screening room.

Together, Schrager and Highgate have formed a partnership designed to combine creative vision with best-in-class disciplined and profitable operations.