JACQUES COHEN | Founder
Born in Paris to a family of prominent real estate developers, Jacques was immersed within the hospitality industry from a young age, gaining extensive industry knowledge and experience in all aspects of the hotel development business.
Jacques earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Prepa HEC in Paris followed by an MBA at a leading French business school. Throughout his education, he served as the sales coordinator of two hotels in his family’s portfolio. He then moved on to manage the construction and opening of the Crown Plaza Hamilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. Jacques also led the construction of the Hotel du Collectionneur, Paris’ largest five-star hotel. Relocating to Jerusalem, Jacques enrolled in the world’s most prestigious Talmudic law school, Mir yeshiva. Upon finishing the program, he moved to Washington, D.C. to rediscover his passion for hospitality and real estate development.
During this time, he led the renovation of the Crown Plaza Hotel, which re-launched as a 4-star property, and the pre-development of an office complex located behind the Capital’s famed Union Station. In 2008 Jacques and his family relocated to New York City where he established Euro Capital Properties and in 2010, purchased The Watergate Hotel. Having previously lived and worked in London and Barcelona, Jacques is fluent in four languages and currently resides in Manhattan’s Upper West Side with his wife, Rakel, and six children. He divides his time between The Watergate office in Washington, D.C. and Euro Capital’s headquarters in New York City.
RAKEL COHEN | Senior Vice President
Originally from Montreal, Rakel relocated to Washington, D.C. to study finance and marketing. After moving to New York, where she established Euro Capital Properties along with her husband Jacques, her discerning eye for design was put to great use.
When ECP purchased The Watergate Hotel in 2010, Rakel took on the challenging task of preserving the bold design of the original building and enlisted world-renowned talent including Ron Arad and “Mad Men” costume designer Janie Bryant to collaborate on her vision. Heading up the purchasing operation, Rakel’s unwavering attention to detail guides the careful selection of lush fabrics and finishes, unique wall coverings, one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture and the creation of the hotel’s signature scent. Rakel leads the marketing team at ECP in crafting brand voice and the creation of its website, sales materials and marketing collateral. Her appreciation for the sophisticated side of mid-century modern aesthetic and her dedication to developing a superior standard of service is unmatched in the luxury sector. Rakel currently lives in Manhattan with her husband and six children and is a devotee of Soul Cycle.