Urban Commons Creates New Foundation for Queen Mary’s Future Sustainability
Key Partnerships, Signature Events and Community Engagement Promote the Preservation of Long Beach Landmark
LONG BEACH, CA [January 4, 2019] – Los Angeles-based real estate investment and development firm, Urban Commons, operator of the Long Beach icon, the Queen Mary, continues to pave a new foundation for the future sustainability of the Southern California landmark. Through the events and strategic community engagement efforts, Urban Commons has expanded the Queen Mary’s tourism marketing while completing the first phase of critical repair work, fortifying the structural integrity of the historic ship, to ensure it remains a destination for generations to come.
“The Queen Mary is one of Urban Commons most vibrant assets under management, driving tourism to Southern California and the city of Long Beach,” said Salvatore G. Takoushian, President and Chief Financial Officer of Urban Commons. “With nearly 500 staff members, the property is one of the area’s largest employers and number one landmark. We intend to ensure its preservation and continued viability for future generations.”
Urban Commons attributes the Queen Mary’s steady public firmament to multiple elements including a newly developed partnership with concert presenter, Goldenvoice, a music festival leader (Coachella Arts & Music Festival, Stagecoach), now producing more than a dozen concerts at the Queen Mary throughout the year. Additional family-friendly attractions have increased the former passenger liner’s profile from the debut of the new holiday attraction, Queen Mary Christmas: Where Holidays Set Sail, a reimagined winter festival that brings the ship to life with holiday activities, entertainment and ice skating on board.
The annual month-long Halloween attraction, Dark Harbor, has continued to show year over year popularity with audiences. The multimillion-dollar production has increased annually in both attendance and sales, including overnight stays and supplemental ticketed experiences such as on-ship tours and theatrical attractions like Aiden Sinclair’s “Illusions of the Passed.” As a hospitality leader, the hotel has contributed to growing Long Beach’s multi-billion dollar retail and tourism industries.
In 2018, Urban Commons substantially increased overall Queen Mary visibility to visitors through unique marketing ventures focusing on a robust calendar of music festivals and seasonal events offered. The overall rise of event goers on the property has helped fuel the City of Long Beach with additional subsidies high in demand by consumers, such as food, beverage, and entertainment. Demonstrating a commitment as a key stakeholder in the community, Urban Commons contributes hotel rooms, event tickets and promotional packages in support of several local charitable organizations including the American Heart Association and the Long Beach Ronald McDonald House.
About Urban Commons
Urban Commons is a Los Angeles-based real estate investment and development firm with a successful track record for developing, repositioning and rebranding assets throughout the United States. The company focuses on impacting under-managed and under-utilized assets by developing innovative and emerging properties to promote optimal economic, social and environmental returns. Since founding in 2008, Urban Commons has owned, operated and developed a variety of real estate properties including several dozen hotels, apartments, retail, office, and senior care, throughout the United States as well asincluding the development of nearly one million square feet of commercial retail space.
About the Queen Mary
Located in the Port of Long Beach, the Queen Mary, an Urban Commons’ managed property, features a rich maritime history, authentic Art Deco décor, and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and Long Beach city skyline. At the time of her maiden voyage in May of 1936, she was considered the grandest ocean liner ever built. The Queen Mary’s signature restaurants include Sir Winston’s, Chelsea Chowder House, Promenade Café, Observation Bar, as well as, a weekly award-winning Champagne Sunday Brunch served in the ship’s Grand Salon. History buffs enjoy the ship’s museum with various daily tours, and currently, the ship is featuring the renowned Diana: Legacy of a Princess Exhibit and the Their Finest Hours: Winston Churchill and the Queen Mary Exhibition. The Queen Mary features 35,000 square feet of event space in 13 remarkable Art Deco salons as well as a tri-level, 45,000-square- foot Exhibit Hall. The Queen Mary boasts 347 staterooms including nine suites. For more information or for reservations, visit www.queenmary.com or call (800) 437- 2934. The Queen Mary is located at 1126 Queens Highway in Long Beach.