The InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG) selected New York for its first EVEN Hotel, the new brand with a focus on health and fitness. The opening is in collaboration with ownership group CWC Inc. IHC will manage the 23-story, 230-room property, which will be located in Midtown at 219 East 44^th St. and is scheduled to open in 2014.

EVEN Hotels is designed to meet the ever-growing demand for healthier travel experiences. IHG expects to sign 100 EVEN Hotels in the U.S. in the next five years under managed and franchised agreements in such key markets as New York, Washington and San Francisco. It plans to announce additional locations in the next few months and open the first EVEN hotel later next year.

“This is another important first for IHG,” said Richard Solomons, CEO of IHG. “By developing our portfolio of preferred brands in line with emerging consumer preferences, we are meeting the needs of a new type of guest who’s looking for hotels with an intrinsic focus on wellness in terms of food, work, exercise and rest.”

“New York City is a key part of Even Hotels’ distribution strategy and provides strong market exposure to healthier minded people both living and travel to New York City, looking for a holistic wellness hotel experience,” said Kirk Kinsell, president, Americas, for IHG. “We are excited the start of this new owner relationship with CWC Inc. as it brings together IHG’s branding and management expertise with CWC Inc.’s strong presence in the New York City real estate market.”

With more than 50.9 million visitors in 2011 alone, New York is one of the strongest markets for EVEN Hotels’ target guests, complementing IGH’s four priority areas: eat, work exercise and rest.