All terms of the financing are confidential.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners successfully placed $212,250,000 of non-recourse, senior construction financing for the development of a 240-key, dual-branded, 5-star Montage and Pendry resort in La Quinta California. The 525-acre project encompasses multiple construction and financing phases and will offer luxury residential and hospitality spaces. The Hotel and Residences are designed around a world-class Arnold Palmer golf course. The Project’s design aesthetic combines modern elements with classic desert architecture.

This initial financing includes a 140-key Montage Resort, a 200-key Pendry Resort, a shared-services building, and a golf club house as well as several Montage and Pendry branded residences and condominium units. The financing also included up to an additional $100MM of capital for the development of up to 29 Branded Montage Residences and 66 Branded Pendry Condominium Residences. Three additional planning areas that are currently contiguous with the development site will be sold off to third party homebuilders, with the proceeds from these land sales being recontributed into the Project.

GSP was able to source a lender who not only shared the Sponsor’s vision and passion for the Development, but also recognized the Sponsor’s ability to execute complex, large-scale master planned developments. Despite the complex takedown structure, GSP devised, planned and executed a creative structure that provided the Sponsor with sufficient loan proceeds, while minimizing the Lender’s risk profile throughout the development.

Advisors

Evan Kinne Managing Director, GSP; CEO, AXCS Capital

Rate: 5.15%, Fixed
Term: 10 years
Amortization: Three years interest only; 30-year amortization thereafter
LTV: 72%
Prepayment: Defeasance
Guarantee: Non-recourse
Lender Fee: None

Transaction Description:

GSP successfully sourced $11,650,000 of non-recourse, cash-out, permanent first mortgage debt sized to 72% loan-to-value to refinance out a maturing bridge loan on a 62,500 square foot, grocery shadow-anchored Salt Lake City multi-tenant retail property. The borrower recently completed its re-tenanting business plan that upgraded the tenant base and stabilized the 1960s vintage retail property at nearly 100% occupancy. Although many lenders are increasingly becoming more conservative regarding leverage and interest only terms on retail properties, GSP sourced a lender that relied on the borrower’s substantial real estate experience, strong submarket performance, and a diverse tenant mix to provide a full-leverage, non-recourse loan that repatriated substantial equity to the borrower and included three years of interest only payments followed by 30-year amortization.

Rate: Prime + 1% (6.25%)
Term: 12 months with two 6 month extensions
Amortization: Interest Only
Prepayment: None

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners placed an $8,000,000 bridge loan for the refinance of a 40% occupied medical office building in Riverside County. The loan floats at a rate of Prime + 1% with interest only payments. The initial term is 12 months and two 6-month extensions are available. Proceeds are structured as $5,800,000 in initial funding, with an additional $2,200,000 that can be drawn down as the property leases up.

Challenges were encountered when discussing the transaction with lenders. Several years ago, the Borrowers financed their acquisition of the near-vacant property with a bridge loan. Although the Sponsor’s business plan was progressing well, some lenders were not willing to refinance a bridge loan with another bridge loan. Additionally, the Property is located in a secondary market in Riverside County, about an hour east of Los Angeles. Finally, an estoppel and SNDA was required from the largest tenant, but these documents took a long time to negotiate.

George Smith Partners emphasized that the Sponsors had recently successfully negotiated a long-term lease with a well-known anchor tenant. They also invested $1.4MM in capital expenditures resulting in a total renovation of the property. Since signing the Anchor Tenant, the Borrowers have successfully negotiated long term NNN leases with several other smaller tenants. Although the Property is located in Riverside County, GSP emphasized the strong population growth, especially of retired individuals, in the submarket. This has resulted in increased demand for medical services in a market with limited supply of renovated medical office properties. As a result the selected lender became comfortable with the strength of the asset and the ability of the Sponsors to continue lease-up. The Lender also provided for 60 days after closing to obtain the estoppel and SNDA.

Advisors

Matthew Kirisits Director