$25,000,000 Condo Construction Financing; Los Angeles, CA

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners secured a $21,250,000 construction-to-bridge loan for a new 52-unit high-end multifamily community located in West Los Angeles on a busy prominent corner. The recourse loan will fund construction and transition into a perm loan with a total term of 10 years. The all-in-one loan represents 60% loan to stabilized value and 70% loan to cost and is structured with a 3-year (+ 6-month extension) interest-only period. The loan allows for open prepayment after year 4 without penalty. Prior to, the prepayment penalty is 2% in years 1 and 2 and 1% for years 3 and 4.

The site is comprised of 5 legal parcels assembled by the Borrower beginning in 2011 through 2015. The proposed Project will consist of 51 residential units and one ground floor retail unit in a Type III, 5-story building with two levels of subterranean parking for 72 cars utilizing a state-of-the-art automated parking system. The proposed unit mix includes studio, 1, 2 and penthouse units as well as 5 live/work units and 4 affordable rent restricted units. Penthouse units include unique/large, covered terraces as well as roof top decks with expansive skyline views.

GSP was able to secure a lender that underwrote to the proforma stabilized NOI despite the challenges faced during the pandemic especially with higher-end product.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners secured $4,600,000 of senior construction financing for the development of a 19-unit ground-up multifamily building in Los Angeles, California. The construction loan floats at a rate of Prime + 1%. The 75% loan-to-cost construction loan also comes with the option to convert to a 5-year mini-perm loan upon completion based on the 5-year Treasury plus a margin of 2.25%, with a 3.50% floor, eliminating any future financial risks. GSP sourced a lender that was able to move efficiently and most importantly accommodate the Borrower’s development timeline and experience.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners secured $129,000,000 in construction financing for a 280-unit mixed-use multifamily development featuring 25,000 SF of ground-floor retail/office space and best-in-class amenities. Located in the heart of the Cornfield-Arroyo Seco Specific Plan (CASP) area, the Property is adjacent to the high-traffic Los Angeles State Historic Park, USC+LAC Medical Center; the Project site is within a 5-minute walk from more than 34 upcoming bars, restaurants (Momofuku by David Chang), cafes and entertainment venues. The financing provided funding for future capital expenditures and related construction costs.

The top-tier Sponsorship group focused on minimizing their equity contribution through a high leverage debt facility to execute their business plan. GSP was able to identify non-recourse capital with strong local knowledge and confidence in the long-term fundamentals of the high-growth submarket. These efforts were aided by the site’s development potential, given the prime location and thousands of surrounding demand drivers.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners successfully placed construction-to-perm financing of $6,250,000 for the development of a 19-unit multifamily community in West Los Angeles, CA. The 4-story building will provide 1, 2 and 3-bedroom units in a supply-constrained submarket. The recourse loan provides for two-years of interest-only financing with a 6-month extension that converts to a perm loan with a combined term of 10 years. The starting rate is fixed for 7 years then amortizing. The loan represents 60% of stabilized value and 70% of cost and allows for open prepayment based on a prepayment fee of 2%,2%,1%,1% in years 1 to 4. The Project will be Type-V construction consisting of 4-stories, a rear 750 SF community courtyard, partial ground level and partial subterranean parking. Unit mix includes studio, one and two-bedroom units including two low-income units. All units include covered patios however non-studio units include larger than average outdoor living terraces that range from 130 to 193 SF. Community amenities include a rear courtyard with firepit lounge and BBQ grill. The units average 654 SF in size. The Project represents the Client’s second multifamily construction project. GSP was able to assist in bringing in a qualified general contractor and get the Lender comfortable with the Borrower’s ability to execute despite their limited development track record.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners secured $5,512,000 of senior construction financing for the development of a 6-story, 25-unit ground-up multifamily building. The Transit Oriented Development (TOD) multifamily Project is within three blocks of the Wilshire/Western Metro station situated in the Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Compared to other areas in Los Angeles, Koreatown has seen a temporary influx of new units in the marketplace. The new supply, coupled with the pandemic, has slowed the rapid rental growth the sub-market has become known for. As a result, there was some hesitation from lenders. GSP generated a wide capital market that allowed the Sponsor to consider several options for the development of the Project. The strong financial position of the Sponsor, along with the extensive relationship with their general contractor, contributed to both pricing and leverage. The 36-month recourse financing is priced at 4% and structured with two, 12-month extension options.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners successfully closed $58,000,000 in non-recourse construction financing for a seven-story, mixed use development across from Sony Pictures Studios and adjacent to Culver City, CA. The Project features 139 apartment units over 1,969 SF of ground floor retail. The Sponsor received a density bonus thanks to TOC incentives, in exchange for allocating 14 affordable units.

While this is the second U.S. project – the first was also financed by GSP – for a successful international developer, the pool of capital providers was significantly reduced due to the borrowing entity being headquartered in a foreign country. Presenting this deal during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic also presented significant challenges. GSP leveraged its structured financing expertise, lender relationships, strength of the Project and the Culver City market to negotiate the most desirable terms for the Sponsor.

The financings are comprised of $42,000,000 in senior construction debt from a Life Co. lender and $16,000,000 in preferred equity and includes a substantial amount in recap funds to the Sponsor at closing. The term is five years, with interest only payments and no prepayment penalty upon Certificate of Occupancy. The senior note is LIBOR + 390 and the preferred equity investment’s interest will be fully accrued during the entire term, thereby reducing the amount of interest reserve and the Sponsor’s initial cash equity contribution.