Hotel Operator Ennismore Takes Over 11 Howard

RFR Holding returned the 211-key Soho hotel to landlord Commerz Real after a judge ordered the surrender of the property.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Hospitality

Hotel Operator Ennismore Takes Over 11 Howard

RFR Holding handed the 211-key luxury Soho hotel back to its landlord, Commerz Real, after a judge ordered it to surrender the 11 Howard property. Ennismore, backed by Accor, has taken over as the hotel's operator.

Why it matters

The handover resolves a possession standoff between RFR and Commerz that centered on unpaid rent, leaving a major New York City hotel under new management. The dispute shows how rent defaults and lease conflicts can reshape ownership and operation of high-profile hospitality assets.

Commerz Real alleges RFR owes more than $18 million in back rent, taxes, insurance and other costs after stopping payments in March 2023. RFR bought the 114,500-square-foot, 14-story former Holiday Inn for $89.7 million in 2014, while Commerz reportedly paid $170 million; the outcome of RFR's claim that Commerz violated its lease remains unresolved.

The players

Ennismore

A hospitality company backed by Accor that has taken over as operator of the 11 Howard hotel.

Commerz Real

The landlord and real estate investment arm that sought RFR's eviction over claimed unpaid rent.

RFR Holding

The Manhattan real estate firm that owned and operated the 11 Howard hotel before surrendering it.

The details

A judge ordered RFR to surrender the 11 Howard property, and RFR handed the hotel back this week. RFR had filed a separate complaint alleging Commerz breached its lease by shopping the property to potential buyers.

2014: RFR bought the former Holiday Inn for $89.7 million.
2016: The upscale 11 Howard hotel opened.
March 2023: RFR allegedly stopped paying rent on the property.
Last spring: A possession trial was held in New York City Civil Court.
This week (November 2026): RFR handed the hotel back to Commerz Real.

Roadmap

RFR's 2014 purchase of the former Holiday Inn for $89.7 million set the stage for the 11 Howard hotel's upscale conversion and 2016 opening. The surrender to Commerz Real, which reportedly bought the property for $170 million, reverses that ownership path and marks a shift in control of the asset.

For hotel guests booking rooms at the 11 Howard, the change in operator may affect services and rates, though the reported details do not specify any changes. Travelers and local business customers should watch for updates from Ennismore on how the property will be run going forward.

The takeaway

Lease agreements and rent obligations can determine who controls a property when disputes arise, so tenants and landlords alike benefit from clear terms on subleasing, sales marketing and default remedies.