Times Square Hilton Hotel To Close Permanently

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — In a high-profile pandemic casualty, the Hilton Times Square hotel revealed this week that it will close permanently in October amid a widespread downturn facing the hospitality industry.

Hilton management filed a notice with the state this week, saying the hotel would close by Oct. 14 due to "Unforeseeable business circumstances prompted by COVID-19." The closure will affect about 200 employees, many of whom had been furloughed in March.

The 42nd street hotel in the heart of Times Square has 478 rooms across 44 stories, the Commercial Observer reported. Management had reportedly suspended operations at the hotel in June, without a scheduled reopening date.

The Hilton is owned by Sunstone Hotel Investors, who own 19 hotels in the city — but only nine are currently open, the New York Times reported.