AJ Capital Partners Acquires the Macdonald Randolph Hotel with Plans to Debut Graduate Oxford, England as Part of the Graduate Hotels® Collection.
Oxford, England – Graduate Hotels, owned by Adventurous Journeys (AJ) Capital Partners, announced today that it has acquired the Macdonald Randolph Hotel in Oxford, England. This marks the second Graduate Hotels property to launch outside of the United States, following the announcement in July 2019 of the forthcoming Graduate Cambridge. Renovations will begin in fall 2020, and the 151-key hotel will open as Graduate Oxford, part of the Graduate Hotels collection, in early spring 2021. Additionally, AJ Capital acquired the Rusacks Hotel, from the Macdonald Hotels & Resorts portfolio, in St Andrews, Scotland.
Created for travelers who seek memory-making journeys, Graduate Hotels is a thoughtfully crafted collection of hotels that reside in the most dynamic university-anchored cities. Each property celebrates and commemorates the optimistic energy of its community while offering an extended retreat to places that often play host to the best days of our lives. Founded by CEO Ben Weprin in 2014, Graduate Hotels currently has 21 open and operating hotels in towns across the U.S., including Athens, Georgia; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Berkeley, California; Providence, Rhode Island; and Seattle, Washington, amongst others. An additional 12 properties are under development and slated to open by the end of 2021.
Positioned in the cultural epicenter of the city, Graduate Oxford will be surrounded by the University of Oxford and its iconic colleges, including Trinity and St. John’s. The hotel is in close proximity to the bustling St. Giles Street and a diverse range of restaurants, bars and shopping, as well as the world-famous Radcliffe Camera and Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology. Dating back to 1096, the University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world, with rich historical, architectural and cultural attractions for guests and locals alike. Situated 60 miles west of London, Oxford offers visitors a variety of transportation options to and from major airports and cities throughout England.
“We are thrilled to announce the continued international expansion of the Graduate Hotels collection into one of the oldest and most prestigious university communities in the world,” said Phillip Allen, Graduate Hotels Chief Development Officer, International Markets. “Our team is incredibly inspired by the people, places and institutions that call this dynamic destination home and look forward to creating a hospitality experience that speaks uniquely to Oxford.”
The design of Graduate Oxford will take inspiration from the centuries of University of Oxford history and tradition, paying homage to storied creators, innovators and notable alumni throughout. Guests can expect intricate architectural details complemented with spirited hues and bold fabrics that tell the stories of Oxford’s remarkable past. The hotel will undergo comprehensive interior and exterior renovations that will include all guest rooms, the lobby and common spaces.
For more information on the Macdonald Randolph Hotel, please visit macdonaldhotels.com. For more information on Graduate Hotels, please visit graduatehotels.com.
About AJ Capital Partners
AJ Capital Partners, based in Chicago, Illinois is an accomplished team of hospitality and real estate investors whose innate passion is to create a one-of-a kind portfolio of timeless assets. The counterculture investors acquire, design and develop transformative real estate. In fall 2014, AJ Capital Partners launched the Graduate Hotels® collection. AJ Capital Partners continues to grow its portfolio of lodging investments, firmly establishing the group as visionary leaders in the lifestyle-driven investment industry. For more information on AJ Capital Partners, please visit www.ajcpt.com.