February 2020
Transaction Description:
George Smith Partners successfully arranged $9,400,000 in non-recourse construction financing for the development of a 15-unit luxury apartment building in West Los Angeles. The Property will be comprised of a mix of 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units and will include 28 parking spaces. The Class A asset sits in a prime location that adjoins some of Los Angeles most sought-after submarkets. Upon completion tenants will have world class views and easy access to major thoroughfares of the City.
Problem:
The Sponsor has owned the site for over twenty years and after relocating existing tenants to make way for the construction of the new luxury building, he raised an existing 16-unit apartment building. Despite the low land basis, at a total cost at over $1 million per door, it was difficult to find comparables to justify the completed value in support of the requested loan amount.
Solution:
GSP accessed its extensive lender network to identify a best-in-class construction lender to provide non-recourse construction financing for the Sponsor. GSP’s longstanding history with this lender allowed for a flexible and streamlined closing process that was favorable to the Sponsor’s project timeline. GSP was able to demonstrate to the Lender that as a family owned, multi-generational asset, the tight spread between development cost and value was a less important metric than for a merchant builder-built building, particularly with a significant equity investment.
- Rate: 1-Month LIBOR + 7.50%
- Term: 28 Months
- Amortization: Interest Only
- LTC: 56%
- Lender Fee: 1% in / 1% out
- Guaranty: Non-Recourse
