NYC builders start micro-hotel brand for big gains

New York

DEVELOPERS Oleg Pavlov and Seth Schumer just finished construction on two buildings in Manhattan. Now comes the hard part, as they try to get a new hotel brand off the ground.

The duo, executives at London-based Quadrum Global, initially planned to team up with John Pritzker's Commune Hotels & Resorts to open properties at the sites under its micro-unit Tommie brand. Instead, they parted ways with Commune - and its name recognition - and are starting their own hospitality firm, Arlo.

The partners are squeezing 575 rooms, each no more than 165 square feet (15 s…