Co-chairs John Pritzker and Jason Pomeranc and CEO Stephen Brandman have announced that the lifestyle hotel company provisionally known as JT Hospitality is now Commune Hotels & Resorts. Formed in October 2011, the new parent company represents the merger of the luxury lifestyle Thompson Hotels brand and Joie de Vivre, an eclectic collection of more than 30 independently branded hotels.
"Our ethos is about individuality, community, locations that are authentic to their environment, and the kind of service that exceeds guests' expectations and makes travel exciting again," the three executives wrote in a statement. "We believe celebrating individuality is the best way to elevate the guest experience."
The company is focusing on global growth, targeting locations in Asia, Latin America, Europe and the U.S. Since the merger, Commune Hotels has debuted three high-profile projects: Thompson's Belgraves in London, The Saguaro Scottsdale and The Saguaro Palm Springs. The company has also signed management contracts for hotels currently under development, including Thompson properties in Chicago and Miami, and Joie de Vivre hotels in Honolulu and Palo Alto, Calif. A redesigned jdvhotels.com website will launch this summer, along with Joie de Vivre's new name, JDV Collection.