The New York-based investment firm that bought the Hilton hotel chain six years ago is considering taking the company public to help pay down debt, according to a filing on Thursday with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

Blackstone Group hopes to raise $1.25 billion through the initial public offering of Hilton, the world’s largest hotel chain, news reports said. The regulatory filing does not provide the number of shares or the price but says that Blackstone will own a majority of the voting power in Hilton following the IPO.

Blackstone took over Hilton in 2007 for $26 billion, the largest-ever takeover of a hotel company. Blackstone borrowed a large amount to purchase the company, which is typical in such transactions. The debt, however, became burdensome during the financial crisis when business slowed down.

The investment company aims to take advantage of the recovery of the real estate market and the stock market rally by re-listing the company. Hilton’s profit rose to $352 million last year, 39 per cent more than in 2011. Revenue climbed to $9.3 billion.

Numerous brands belong to the hotel chain, founded in 1919 by Conrad Hilton, including Hampton Inn and DoubleTree for budget and business travellers to the Waldorf Astoria in the luxury market.

Hilton owns 4,041 hotels, resorts and timeshare properties in 90 countries and territories. About 125 million people annually stay in Hilton-owned hotels.

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