Bridge Loans and Financing

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners successfully arranged a $35,200,000 construction financing for the first phase of a hotel-to-multifamily repositioning and transformation in downtown Salt Lake City’s trendy Granary District. The financing capitalized renovation costs related to the adaptive reuse of the iconic property’s south tower with plans to transform it into a 184-micro unit multifamily asset with boutique-quality amenities. The Project’s north tower is planned to be renovated as part of a future phase.

Located on a coveted 5-acre site, the Project offers approximately 2.7 acres of excess development land, allowing for the future mixed-use infill opportunities onsite.

The Sponsorship team acquired the former hotel with visions of redevelopment in December 2019, creating a unique opportunity for a transformative mixed-use asset in Salt Lake City’s employment and social epicenter. GSP was able to identify a top-tier lender who not only understood the current demand for multifamily housing in Salt Lake City’s urban core, but also understood the significant value and future opportunity afforded by the excess developable land.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners secured $4,030,000 of bridge financing for the acquisition of retail shop space in Tempe, AZ. The collateral encompassed approximately 30,000 sf of in-line retail space and an outparcel pad within a larger anchored retail center. At purchase, the collateral was only 44% occupied. The Sponsors believe that a new leasing strategy will be able to drive tenants to the Center. The Property is located on one of the corners of a major intersection that sees over 65,000 cars per day and is less than two miles from Arizona State University, one of the largest universities in the country. The capital provider structured the financing to have a holdback for future property improvements, leasing costs, and interest payments. Priced at 30-Day LIBOR + 7.00%, the non-recourse loan was sized to 68% of total cost and carries a two-year term with extensions. The Lender was also able to include partial releases if only a portion of the collateral is sold.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners secured $25,818,000 in proceeds for the cash-neutral bridge loan refinance of a 51-unit multifamily property in Los Angeles. The Lender provided proceeds of 85% of appraised value and underwrote to a 5.2% stabilized debt yield. The new loan refinances both the construction loan and the preferred equity that were part of the original financing. The loan is floating at LIBOR + 6.00% with a 6.65% floor.

At the time of financing the Property was 95% complete but still short of a temporary certificate of occupancy. In addition, the leverage on the loan precluded several lending sources from achieving the necessary proceeds. The Sponsor desired to completely pay off the original construction financing, which was originated at 85% loan to cost. Only a few lenders could get the requested leverage and the market quoted pricing in the high single digits. Lastly, Koreatown experienced Covid related collection issues which affected the rental underwriting. GSP provided rental and sales comps that proved out the strength of the market. As a result, the selected Lender became comfortable with the location and the Sponsor’s ability to lease up the new Property.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners successfully placed $42,400,000 in non-recourse bridge debt financing, which funded 80% of total project costs for the acquisition and value-add business plan of an off-market, 26-property retail portfolio spread across 19 midwestern and southern states. Although financing retail value-add business plans during COVID is challenging, the portfolio is comprised of a diversified rent roll including 20% of gross potential rent derived from investment-grade tenants. Furthermore, each asset within the portfolio is shadow anchored by strong performing corporate owned Walmart grocery shopping centers.

GSP leveraged its lender relationships and capital markets expertise to source a lender who understood the business plan and product type, who was willing to invest the time and effort to underwrite a large retail portfolio spread throughout 19 different states, and in markets with average populations below 30,000; during COVID.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners successfully placed a $3,000,000 bridge to permanent loan to fund the purchase, tenant improvements, leasing commissions and carry (real estate taxes, insurance, and debt service) for a vacant 50,000 SF single-story warehouse. The deal presented a couple challenges; the Sponsor had credit issues and the building was 100% vacant. The strong sponsorship experience, low vacancy in the market and the building’s high-level of quality ameliorated these issues. Lastly, the transaction had to be completed within the tight time constraints of a 1031 exchange.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners successfully secured $25,500,000 in non-recourse bridge financing for a destination dining and retail center nestled in the heart of Los Angeles’ Koreatown. The 42,000 square foot property is one of Koreatown’s most trafficked retail centers and maintained stable collections throughout 2020. The recapitalization retired the existing debt and provided future funding for capital expenditures, tenant improvements and leasing expenses with no new equity required from the Sponsor.

The Los Angeles-based sponsorship team acquired the Property in 2016, identifying the asset as a generational heirloom and a unique opportunity to create substantial value. Despite market volatility and COVID-19 related challenges in the retail sector, GSP was able to identify a lender with local knowledge and expertise that understood the importance of this asset within the context of the neighborhood, and the long-term viability of the business model.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners successfully arranged a bridge acquisition financing for a single-tenant industrial building in Gardena, CA. The Property is 9,300 SF on an approximate 18,731 SF parcel. The previous owner occupied the space, and the building is now vacant. There was an existing environmental issue that limited the pool of interested capital providers. However, GSP leveraged its market expertise and relationships to identify a lender comfortable with the Property and Sponsor, who is a repeat client. GSP secured a 12-month, non-recourse bridge loan at 7.90% fixed with interest-only payments and no prepayment penalty. This will provide the Sponsor time to resolve the environmental issue, lease the Property and season it for permanent financing. The financing closed within 12 days of term sheet issuance.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners successfully placed a $7,800,000 loan for the acquisition and repositioning of a student housing property serving a major Southern California university. George Smith Partners went to a variety of lenders and identified a non-recourse capital provider who believed in the deep value-add business plan, with 23% of loan proceeds funding CapEx.George Smith Partners structured the loan at 70% of total project cost. The funding covers the acquisition, CapEx, construction costs, and the interest reserve.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners successfully arranged bridge acquisition financing for a 6-unit retail property in Los Angeles, California. The Subject Property took a major hit with rent collections during the Covid-19 pandemic and was operating below market conditions. GSP identified a capital provider who was able to offer an aggressive rate and terms, required no holdbacks of any sort, required no deposits to be held at their branch and provided an open prepayment penalty structure that allowed the Sponsor flexibility once the Subject Property is stabilized and seasoned.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners successfully arranged bridge acquisition financing for a single-tenant industrial building in Wilmington, CA. The Property is 3,950 SF on an approximate 8,640 SF parcel. The previous owner occupied the Property, and the building is now vacant. GSP secured a 12-month, non-recourse bridge loan at 7.90% fixed with interest only payments and no prepayment penalty. This will provide the Sponsor time to lease the Property and season it for permanent financing. The financing closed within two weeks of term sheet issuance.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners successfully placed a non-recourse $40,000,000 bridge loan to fund the acquisition and repositioning of a 330-bed student housing project in Orange County, California during the COVID-19 pandemic. Directly adjacent to a non-power five campus, the University’s decision to not hold in-person classes due to COVID-19 severely impacted the Property’s occupancy levels at the time of acquisition. Additionally, the Project was undergoing renovations when the pandemic struck.

GSP leveraged its diverse lender relationships to attain 70% of project cost, including an extensive CapEx budget to be used for existing unit renovations and the construction of additional residential density. GSP ensured no negative arbitrage by structuring a draw schedule accretive to the Sponsor’s business plan. Despite the economic uncertainty during the transaction, GSP worked with the Lender to maximize proceeds while addressing Lender concerns of potential COVID related shortfalls.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners identified a national balance sheet lender with an intimate knowledge of the Hayward submarket and arranged $8,400,000 in acquisition and bridge financing for the purchase and reposition of a currently 50% occupied, 1960’s-built apartment complex located in Hayward, CA. The Sponsor placed the portfolio under contract during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The loan includes $1,350,000 of future funding for extensive renovations of unit interiors and exterior upgrades, including an earthquake retrofit. Interest is not charged on the holdback until funds are drawn. This Capital Provider also structured and capitalized an interest reserve to cover the shortfall of cash flow during repositions. Sized to 76% of the total capitalization, the three-year bridge loan is interest only for 36 months and carries a floating rate of LIBOR + 4.25% and include two extension options for up to a term of five-years.