Rate: 8.25% Fixed
Term: 60 Months
Amortization: I/O
LTC: 85%
Guarantee: Non-Recourse

George Smith Partners has arranged $25,200,000 (85% of project costs) of non-recourse acquisition and redevelopment financing for an un-flagged, family run, 120-Key select-service hotel in Davis, California. To date, the Property has not undergone any significant renovations since opening in the 1980’s. Despite the properties’ dated appearance, the hotels close proximity (less than half a mile) to the UC Davis campus has provided it with ample foot traffic resulting in attractive operating metrics. Over the last three years, the property has consistently produced significant positive Operating Income solidifying the Sponsor’s business plan and confirming that extensive property wide renovations would lead to significant value creation. In addition to completely renovating the Property, the Sponsor plans to re-flag the property with a high quality, nationally recognized brand.

GSP identified a capital provider who was comfortable providing fixed-rate leverage, providing a needed level of security to the client against an increasing rate environment. This structure was a crucial factor in the decision making process for the Sponsor, as the high proceeds level at 85% loan to cost made the project even more sensitive to changes in index rates.

Advisors

Evan Kinne Managing Director, GSP; CEO, AXCS Capital

Rate: Libor + 505
Term: 36 months
Amortization: IO
Loan-to-Cost: 69% LTC
Guarantee: Non-Recourse

George Smith Partners secured $16,900,000 in bridge financing to acquire and renovate a 7-story office building (first floor retail) in the Jewelry District and historic core of Downtown Los Angeles. The property was originally built in 1913 with open floor plates and is perfectly designed for a conversion to creative office. Even though the project is well-located in the path of DTLA development, some challenges included a lack of both Sponsor experience and credit tenant preleasing. Moreover, being a purchase transaction added additional pressure to close without delays. GSP sourced a Capital Provider to get comfortable with the Sponsor’s team, business plan execution ability, and guarantor of the main leaseholder. While the original financing request estimated a 35% prelease, the Sponsor was able to obtain 60% preleasing by loan funding.

Advisors

Steve Bram Managing Director & Principal / GSP Co-Founder

Allison Higgins Senior Vice President

Rate: 7.90%
Term: 12 Months
Prepayment: Open
Guarantee: Non-Recourse
Extension: 12 Month for 1% at 8.3%

George Smith Partners arranged pre-development financing for a parcel of land strategically located one block from Hollywood Boulevard, in Hollywood, California. The land is fully entitled for the ground-up development of 28 multifamily units, with the potential for a density bonus as the parcel is located within a Transit Oriented Development district. The pre-development loan allowed the Sponsor to “cash out” appreciated equity to pursue other development projects and to use excess loan proceeds to finance the costs of density bonus application. The lender was able to get comfortable with the re-capitalization of the land with limited cash flow, due to the strong location, market fundamentals and experienced sponsorship.

Advisors

Gary M. Tenzer Managing Director & Principal / GSP Co-Founder