Hilton Names Austin Pruett General Manager of Historic Martinique New York Hotel
The Martinique, located at 53 West 32nd Street (1260–1266 Broadway), is a 532‑room hotel that opened in stages between 1897 and 1910. Designed by Henry Janeway Hardenbergh in a French Renaissance style, the building is a New York City landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The property has a long history of ownership changes, including periods as a welfare hotel and a Holiday Inn franchise, before joining Hilton’s Curio Collection in 2019.
Hilton Worldwide, headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, manages a portfolio of more than 7,500 properties worldwide. The Curio Collection is an upscale brand that focuses on distinctive, historically significant hotels. The Martinique’s inclusion in Curio reflects Hilton’s strategy to preserve and operate landmark properties while offering guests a boutique experience.
Pruett’s appointment comes at a time when Hilton is expanding its management of historic hotels. The company has recently acquired and revitalized several landmark properties in major cities, positioning itself as a steward of New York’s architectural heritage. The Martinique’s proximity to Penn Station and Midtown attractions makes it a key asset for Hilton’s New York portfolio.
While the press release did not detail Pruett’s prior experience, the role will involve overseeing the hotel’s operations, revenue management, and guest services. As general manager, he will be responsible for maintaining the property’s historic character while ensuring profitability and compliance with Hilton’s brand standards.
Industry analysts note that the appointment signals Hilton’s continued focus on the boutique‑hotel segment, which has shown resilience during economic cycles. The Curio Collection’s emphasis on unique properties aligns with consumer demand for authentic, location‑centric stays. Hilton’s broader strategy includes integrating technology and sustainability initiatives across its portfolio, and the Martinique’s management team will likely pursue similar enhancements.
The hotel’s recent reopening in late 2021 under Hilton’s management followed a foreclosure that had left the property in a state of disrepair. Since then, the hotel has restored its historic interiors and added two restaurants, positioning it as a competitive option for business and leisure travelers.
The appointment of Pruett is expected to bring fresh leadership to the property as it continues to build on its historic appeal. Hilton has not announced any immediate changes to the hotel’s branding or service offerings, but the general manager will oversee ongoing renovations and guest‑experience initiatives.
In the coming months, the Martinique will likely report its performance in Hilton’s quarterly earnings, and the property may be evaluated for further investment or expansion. The appointment also coincides with Hilton’s broader efforts to strengthen its Curio portfolio, which includes other historic hotels across the United States.
The current status of the Martinique is that it is fully operational under Hilton’s Curio Collection, with Pruett at the helm of day‑to‑day management. The hotel’s next major milestone will be its performance reporting in the next quarterly earnings cycle, which will provide insight into the effectiveness of Hilton’s historic‑hotel strategy.