Industry Hotel | Founded 2009 (Defunct) | |
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Founder Hilton Hotels Corporation Parent Hilton Hotels Corporation | ||
Denizen Hotels was launched to be the eleventh member of the Hilton Family of hotel. The brand aimed at marking Hilton's entry into the global lifestyle brand sector, and the new concept/brand was introduced on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. However, due to a current standing legal situation, Denizen's development has now been halted and the brand is considered "dead".
In April, 2009 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide filed suit against Hilton and their Denizen brand, accusing two former Starwood executives including Ross Klein, the former president of Starwood Hotels of stealing and taking trade secrets to Hilton for the development of the new brand. Hilton suspended development of the Denizen brand and placed the team on paid administrative leave. On April 24, 2009 a US district judge enjoined Starwood and ordered Hilton to stop development of its brand pending further investigation of corporate espionage.
In December 2010, Hilton Worldwide has agreed to settle the lawsuit with Starwood hotels. As part of the settlement, Hilton has agreed to make a $75 million cash payment. Starwood is also entitled to another $75 million in hotel-management contracts. In addition, Hilton is subjected to an injunction that prohibits the hotel chain from introducing any lifestyle hotels for two years. And two court-appointed monitors will be required to supervise Hilton’s operations and ensure it complies with the injunction.