Last Updated on July 31, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Ian Schrager helped turn hotels into social and design-driven destinations, first through boutique hospitality and later through PUBLIC Hotels. PUBLIC combines compact, carefully planned rooms with large communal spaces, nightlife, dining, wellness, and city views. The ownership question is more nuanced than a single name because the brand, the operating company, and the real estate behind an individual property can involve different entities.
Quick Answer
PUBLIC Hotels is an Ian Schrager brand operated through Ian Schrager Company LLC. That does not mean Schrager personally owns every part of each hotel building: individual properties may have separate real-estate investors and operating partners. The brand itself is private, not a separately traded hotel company.
Key Takeaways
- PUBLIC is Ian Schrager’s hotel brand and is associated with Ian Schrager Company LLC.
- Brand ownership is different from ownership of the land, building, or investment interests in a specific hotel.
- As of July 31, 2026, the official PUBLIC website lists New York and West Hollywood.
- The current New York dining and nightlife lineup includes Louis, Lobby Bar, Two Fifteen, The Roof, and Artspace.
- PUBLIC is not a separately listed public company, despite the word “Public” in its name.
Who Owns PUBLIC Hotel?
PUBLIC Hotels is an Ian Schrager brand. The brand’s official website describes its properties as “An Ian Schrager Hotel,” while the site’s legal terms identify Ian Schrager Company LLC doing business as Ian Schrager Company as the company behind the website. Ian Schrager Company also identifies PUBLIC as Schrager’s hotel brand.
That is the clearest answer for someone asking who owns the PUBLIC name and concept. However, it should not be read as proof that Schrager alone owns every piece of real estate, debt, or equity connected with every PUBLIC property.
Note: A hotel brand, hotel operator, building owner, lender, and real-estate investor can all be different parties. “Who owns the brand?” and “Who owns this hotel building?” are separate questions.
How the Brand and Property Ownership Differ
The PUBLIC brand is tied to Ian Schrager and Ian Schrager Company. Individual hotel properties can have additional development or investment partners. For example, Witkoff lists the 215 Chrystie Street project in its portfolio and describes the mixed-use development that includes PUBLIC New York and residences.
This distinction matters because a hotel can use a brand created by one company while the underlying building is owned through a separate real-estate entity. Management arrangements can also change without transferring ownership of the brand.
The most accurate answer is that Ian Schrager controls the PUBLIC concept and brand, while each hotel property may have its own investment and real-estate ownership structure.
Where Are PUBLIC Hotels Located?
As of July 31, 2026, the official PUBLIC Hotels website lists two destinations:
- PUBLIC New York: 215 Chrystie Street, New York, NY 10002, on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.
- PUBLIC West Hollywood: 8300 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069. The official site states that reservations are open.
The original PUBLIC Chicago helped launch the concept, but it is not listed in the brand’s current portfolio. London is associated with Schrager’s separate EDITION work rather than a current PUBLIC hotel. This is why older articles can create confusion about the brand’s present locations.
The Design and Aesthetic of PUBLIC New York
PUBLIC New York is designed around the idea that the hotel’s shared spaces are as important as the guestrooms. The building combines rooms, restaurants, bars, gardens, event areas, and residences in one mixed-use tower.
Herzog & de Meuron designed the building, guestrooms, and major public amenities. The architects describe a restrained material palette of timber, concrete, and glass, along with a reflective escalator entrance, large windows, and compact rooms planned like miniature suites. The design favors efficient private rooms and dramatic communal areas rather than oversized traditional hotel rooms.
The result is modern and deliberately social. Guests move through a sequence of public spaces that can function as a lobby, workspace, meeting point, bar, performance venue, or nightlife destination depending on the time of day.
The Amenities and Services Guests Can Expect
PUBLIC New York offers self-check-in, guest support, event spaces, rooftop areas, a fitness center, and a broader wellness program. Its official wellness page describes daily classes such as yoga, Pilates, HIIT, sculpt, stretching, meditation, and breathwork, with classes complimentary for hotel guests. The hotel also promotes a 24-hour fitness center.
The service model is technology-forward and less formal than a traditional luxury hotel. The official FAQ highlights self-check-in, luggage storage, parking information, accessibility details, package handling, room amenities, and hotel contact channels. Travelers who expect a classic staffed front desk, bell service, or a full-service concierge should confirm what is available before arrival rather than assume a traditional luxury-hotel format.
Pro Tip: Review the current room rate, taxes, cancellation rules, all-access fee, nightlife access, and direct-booking benefits together. Hotel offers and included benefits can change by date and rate plan.
The Culinary and Nightlife Experience at PUBLIC New York
The original restaurant table is no longer a reliable guide to the hotel’s current lineup. The official Eat & Drink page currently lists the following venues:
| Venue | Current concept | What to know |
| Louis | Bakery, coffee bar, and all-day café | The casual daytime food and drink option. |
| Lobby Bar | Social lobby bar | A central gathering place within the hotel. |
| Two Fifteen | Cocktail bar | A conversation-focused late-night venue with live sounds on selected nights. |
| The Roof | Rooftop bar and dance space | Known for skyline views, cocktails, DJs, and a more energetic atmosphere. |
| Artspace | Dance club and performance venue | Hosts scheduled nightlife and cultural events. |
Hours, age limits, reservations, dress expectations, and door policies can vary by venue and event. Check the hotel’s current calendar and venue pages before planning an evening around a specific bar or performance.
The Location and Surrounding Area
PUBLIC New York sits at 215 Chrystie Street on the Lower East Side, close to the Bowery, Nolita, and SoHo. The location suits travelers who want restaurants, galleries, shopping, nightlife, and downtown cultural attractions within easy reach.
The hotel’s official neighborhood guide highlights galleries, boutiques, museums, wellness businesses, and dining around Lower Manhattan. The Tenement Museum, New Museum, Sara D. Roosevelt Park, and the streets of SoHo are among the better-known nearby points of interest, although walking time depends on the exact route.
Because the area is active late into the evening, the location may appeal most to guests who enjoy an energetic city atmosphere. Light sleepers should compare room types, floor levels, and recent noise feedback before booking.
The Guest Experience: Strengths and Trade-Offs
PUBLIC is built for guests who value design, social energy, convenient technology, and access to dining and nightlife in the same building. Its strongest features are the dramatic communal spaces, city views, rooftop setting, wellness programming, and downtown location.
The same concept creates trade-offs. Rooms can feel compact, public areas may become busy, and nightlife can change the mood of the property after dark. Travelers seeking a quiet resort, large guestrooms, or highly traditional luxury service may prefer a different style of hotel.
A balanced booking decision should consider the room category, floor, cancellation policy, total fees, current venue schedule, and whether the hotel’s social atmosphere matches the purpose of the trip.
Ian Schrager’s Influence on the Hotel Industry
Schrager co-founded Studio 54 with Steve Rubell and later helped establish the modern boutique-hotel model. His hotels placed design, music, nightlife, and social interaction at the center of the guest experience rather than treating them as secondary amenities.
PUBLIC continues that approach with what Ian Schrager Company calls “luxury for all”: style, service, experience, and value presented in a more accessible, less formal format. The model has influenced the wider lifestyle-hotel category, where lobbies, bars, coworking areas, and events are often designed to attract both travelers and local residents.
The Future of PUBLIC Hotels
The most important current development is the brand’s expansion beyond New York. As of July 31, 2026, the official website presents both New York and West Hollywood and states that reservations are open for the West Hollywood property.
Claims about additional cities, sustainability programs, restaurant partnerships, or future design collaborations should be treated as unconfirmed unless PUBLIC or Ian Schrager Company announces them. Hotel concepts, operators, venues, and opening schedules can change, so the official brand website is the best place to verify the latest portfolio.
If you’re interested in learning more about travel essentials, you should check out this article on rechargeable hand warmers for travel. It provides valuable information on a useful item for staying warm during cold-weather adventures. You can also find more travel news and practical guides on TakeTravelInfo.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PUBLIC Hotel?
PUBLIC is Ian Schrager’s lifestyle hotel brand. It combines compact, design-focused guestrooms with large social spaces, dining, bars, wellness, events, and nightlife.
Who owns PUBLIC Hotel?
PUBLIC is an Ian Schrager brand associated with Ian Schrager Company LLC. Individual hotel properties may also involve separate real-estate investors, lenders, developers, or operating partners.
Is PUBLIC Hotel publicly traded?
No separate PUBLIC Hotels stock or public-company listing is identified. The official legal terms name Ian Schrager Company LLC, and the word “Public” is the brand name rather than a description of its stock-market status.
Where are PUBLIC Hotels located?
As of July 31, 2026, the official PUBLIC website lists New York at 215 Chrystie Street and West Hollywood at 8300 Sunset Boulevard.
Is the former PUBLIC Chicago still part of the brand?
No. Chicago is not listed on the brand’s current official portfolio. Older articles may still mention it because it was an earlier PUBLIC property.
Who designed PUBLIC New York?
Herzog & de Meuron designed the building, guestrooms, and major public amenities. Ian Schrager and additional design collaborators helped shape the interiors, furniture, atmosphere, and social concept.
What amenities does PUBLIC New York offer?
Amenities include a fitness center, wellness classes, self-check-in, meeting and event spaces, rooftop areas, restaurants, bars, nightlife venues, and guest-support services. Availability and fees can change, so confirm details for the selected rate and travel dates.
Does Ian Schrager personally own every PUBLIC hotel building?
Not necessarily. Schrager is the creator and owner behind the brand, but individual buildings can have separate property-level investment and ownership structures.
Sources
- PUBLIC Hotels legal terms — identifies Ian Schrager Company LLC as the company behind the official website.
- Ian Schrager Company — explains the company’s role and identifies PUBLIC as Schrager’s brand.
- Witkoff: 215 Chrystie Street Residences — provides property-development context for the mixed-use New York project.
- PUBLIC Hotels official website — confirms the current New York and West Hollywood destinations.
- PUBLIC New York Eat & Drink — confirms the current dining and nightlife venues.
- Herzog & de Meuron: 215 Chrystie — supports the architecture, room-planning, and material details.