Pak eyes $1b valuation for Roosevelt
Named after former US President Theodore Roosevelt, the century-old property in midtown Manhattan is seen as one of Pakistan's most valuable foreign assets, which it acquired in 2000. Faced with mounting losses, the over 1,000 room hotel was shut in 2020, and has also operated briefly as a migrant shelter.
As part of the government's $7 billion IMF-backed privatisation push, Pakistan's government approved a "transaction structure for the Roosevelt Hotel" on Tuesday, saying it won't do an outright sale but has decided to adopt a joint venture model to maximise long-term value.
The senior government official said on condition of anonymity that the government will retain ownership in the project through an equity partnership, but declined to disclose the size of the stake being offered to any potential JV partner.
The Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), will run the process and the government is eyeing a valuation of over $1 billion for the 42,000 square feet property it hopes could be redeveloped for residential-cum-office use, the official said.
"It is among the best pieces of land in NY real estate ... The process begins immediately and is expected to be completed in the next six-nine months," said the official.
The state-owned Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), owns the hotel through its investment arm. The government this week also approved four parties to bid for a stake in debt-ridden national flag carrier.
The hotel is located near marquee New York destinations such as Grand Central Terminal, Times Square, and Fifth Avenue, placing it in one of Manhattan's most valuable commercial zones.
The government is estimating the redevelopment will take 4-5 years, the official said, adding the "interest level is extremely high." In June, the government said it expects $100 million in the initial payment from the joint-venture partnership by June 2026.
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