$46,000,000 Construction Loan for Phase 1 of a 400-Unit Multifamily Development; Bozeman, MT

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 placed $39,000,000 in construction debt and advised on $20,000,000 Limited Partner equity for the ground up construction of 137-unit mixed-use development with ground floor retail in Midtown Sacramento, CA. The Project is the second asset that GSP has structured both debt and equity for a sequence of planned multifamily developments. Pricing for the non-recourse construction loan tightened from the first transaction six months ago.

The site will be developed into a seven-story building consisting of six levels of rental units, parking, and ground floor retail. Situated in Midtown, Sacramento’s trendiest neighborhood, the Property is walking distance to restaurants, shops and is conveniently positioned near the rail station and a local highway. The area has increasingly attracted significant public and private investment due to its proximity to employment hubs and lifestyle amenities.

The capital markets were weary of ongoing supply chain and increasing construction costs. GSP worked with the Lender and equity investor to structure contingency levels that were acceptable to both. The Sponsor was provided with competitive, non-recourse construction loan and an investor that could grow with their future development needs.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners placed a $105,000,000 non-recourse construction loan and $17,120,000 of Limited Partner Equity for a for-sale residential project in Hayward, California. The Project will be built in phases and have 123 townhomes and 66 condominiums providing much needed workforce housing to the area. The Project will also have some affordable units for sale.

Two GSP teams were able to combine efforts and executed an effective and in-depth marketing campaign to help the capital markets understand the opportunity appropriately while finding solutions to various challenges that arose during the entire process. GSP marketed and highlighted the Project’s strength, the phasing nature of the build schedule, the projected sales prices and the forecasted upward trajectory in both sales price growth and sales pace growth. GSP was able to source capital providers on the Project that were comfortable with both the depth and experience of the Sponsor as well as their belief in the continued growth of the Bay Area.

Ultimately, the professionalism and expertise of the two GSP teams on the deal coupled with the proficiency and extensive experience of the Sponsor allowed for a successful close.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners successfully arranged $20,530,000 in non-recourse senior construction financing for The Surf, a beachfront condominium project in Cocoa Beach, FL. The Project consists of 25 luxury residential units with sale prices ranging from $975,000 to $2,500,000, as well as 3 ground floor retail units. The Project is currently 75% pre-sold. Per Florida statutes, any buyer deposit amount over 10% of the purchase price may be used towards development costs, but a large portion of those deposits are not due from buyers until building top off. GSP was able to successfully secure a lender comfortable with crediting future deposits to decrease the Sponsor’s up-front equity requirement.

The Sponsor’s co-developer and GC tragically passed in early 2020, leading them to engage a new group. While the new GC had extensive experience in luxury housing development, they are relatively new to ground-up, multi-level condominium development. GSP leveraged its extensive lender network, strong pre-sales, and the Orlando-based Sponsor’s strong development track record in this submarket and product type to provide non-recourse construction financing.

The term is 24 months with interest-only payments and 6 months minimum interest. The senior note was sized to 64% LTC. GSP structured the loan, crediting future sales deposits towards the total equity requirement, thereby eliminating any additional out-of-pocket equity required at closing above the land acquisition and predevelopment costs already spent to date.