Hawkins Way Capital

German firm Deka Immobilien sold a closed Marriott hotel on Manhattan’s East Side to Hawkins Way Capital for $153.4 million, about half of its 2015 purchase price. Now, Hawkins is suing Deka for $16.9 million in pension benefits for former hotel employees, despite an agreement that Deka claims exempts them from this liability. Deka argues that the sales agreement absolves them of responsibility for these costs. Hawkins, which converted the hotel to student housing, claims Deka’s cessation of hotel operations in December 2020 triggered this liability. The building has a contentious history, including previous lawsuits involving its management and sale.