Rate: 1 Month LIBOR + 4.25%
Term: 3 + 1 + 1
Amortization: Interest Only
LTC: 50%
Guarantee: Non-Recourse

Transaction Description:
George Smith Partners arranged $50,000,000 in non-recourse senior construction financing for the adaptive reuse of a 1960s vintage office tower one block from LAX in Los Angeles into a dual-branded Hyatt Hotel. The Sponsor’s business plan is to convert the existing 13 story 250,000 square foot office building into a 401 key Hyatt House and Hyatt Place hotel that features a trendy Mid-Century inspired urban design. The completed project, which will feature both select service and extended stay products, will capitalize on the LAX hotel submarket’s historically high occupancy rates and strong demand drivers. Sized to 50% of total project cost, the interest only loan will float at a spread of 425 basis points over 1 month LIBOR for 3 years and carries two 1-year extension options.

Challenges:
It was crucial to find a lender who was comfortable with hotel construction financing at this point in the cycle, a significant tranche of EB-5 financing, an unsubordinated ground lease and a parking agreement with an adjacent parking garage owner. As the Sponsor’s required bank execution, it was critical that the transaction was structured to comply with High Volatility Commercial Real Estate (“HVCRE”) banking regulation.

Solution:
GSP sourced a lender with extensive experience in ground-up hospitality transactions and with a favorable view of the supply constrained LAX submarket. GSP demonstrated the Sponsor’s attractive basis in the asset, the submarket’s resilient occupancy rates and average daily rates, and the project’s appealing design relative to the submarket’s dated competitive set, which ultimately allowed the capital provider to get comfortable with the transaction. GSP also assisted in structuring the transaction to ensure HVCRE compliance.

Advisors

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

Rate: 3.85%
Term: 30 Years; 5 Years fixed; resets every 5 Years thereafter
Amortization: 30-Year amortization
LTV: 75%
Prepayment: 3,2,1
Guarantee: Recourse

George Smith Partners arranged $9,170,000 refinancing for a portfolio of four multifamily properties in Los Angeles. GSP identified a lender who was comfortable providing a $2,500,000 return of equity to the Sponsor, while executing a strategy for a portfolio refinance that allowed the capital provider to become more aggressive with both rate and proceeds. GSP was able to time the market and lock rate at the ideal moment, achieving the best possible pricing for our Sponsor. This recourse loan represents 75% of the portfolio’s value and has a 30-year term with the first 5 years fixed at 3.85% and resets every 5 years. This loan self-liquidates over the course of the 30-year term.

Rate: 4.00%
Term: 15 year fixed rate loan
Amortization: 15 years
LTV: 75%
DSCR: 1.25x (underwritten based on the in-place income)
Prepayment: No prepayment penalty
Lender Fee: Par
Guarantee: Recourse

GSP successfully arranged $6,515,000 for the refinance of a 21-tenant unanchored retail center in a Southwestern MSA. The property was 85% occupied at the time of closing. GSP identified a lender who is comfortable with the sponsor’s market experience and the property’s leasing potential. Sized to 75% of value, the recourse loan is fixed for 15 years at 4%.