Hotelier Ian Schrager has found a partner to finally grow his Public Hotels brand, 15 years after he expected.
Schrager is working with hospitality owner and operator Highgate to accelerate the expansion of Public via hotel and boutique company acquisitions, as well as development, according to The Wall Street Journal. Highgate won’t have a stake in Public, but the partnership will go in on buying hotels and inking management contracts. 
Properties in Highgate’s 79,000-room, 400-hotel portfolio will be rebranded into Public hotels. The company’s holdings span luxury, resort and affordable hotels. 
To save money and cut down on labor, Public will switch its dining playbook, starting…