Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) is an innovative financing program that is gaining popularity across the U.S., as it offers a low-cost, long-term capital solution that doesn't require upfront equity from the property owners. The central appeal for using this program for energy-efficient upgrades and retrofits is that any level of C-PACE used will lower the overall cost of capital compared to mezzanine, third-party equity or even many senior loans. This is impactful for commercial property developers.
In the current market, the cost of capital has increased significantly, along with higher interest rates and wider spreads from lenders. In addition, higher financing costs put pressure on loan-to-value (LTV), loan-to-cost (LTC) ratios, and the amount of capital lenders are willing to provide, reducing liquidity for new developments. Construction costs have also increased significantly with back-to-back years of double-digit increases, with further increases in 2023 as CBRE expects a growth of 5.4% for construction costs.
C-PACE is in heavy demand because it's a fixed-rate product, starting in the mid-single digits. It also can be up to 35% of the capital stack. With a typical senior loan at 65% loan-to-value, providing C-PACE at 30% of the stack, the lender becomes below 40%, lessening its capital risk. As a result, it is helping development projects across all real estate sectors pencil to start construction and those in mid-construction reach get completed.
Today we see more requests for this financing as budgets are blowing out with cost overruns. C-PACE provides the needed capital when the developer cannot offer additional equity or banks are unwilling. The following are examples of mid-construction projects that utilized C-PACE funding from Peachtree to bring projects across the finish line.
Préstamo CPACE (plazo de 30 años) de 51,5 millones de dólares para un desarrollo de casas adosadas de 224 unidades en la comunidad de Vinedo de Paso Robles, California. La Reserva forma parte de la comunidad de Vinedo, de 279 acres, planificada según un plan maestro, que, una vez que esté completamente construida, contendrá un total de aproximadamente 1,425 viviendas. El préstamo de la CPACE financiará la envolvente del edificio, la climatización, la iluminación, la energía solar fotovoltaica, la plomería, las mejoras sísmicas y los costos indirectos calificados, ya que los costos elegibles se incurren durante el proceso de construcción. El patrocinador, Adam Tancredi, proviene de un legado familiar de 70 años dedicado a la construcción de viviendas y tiene más de 17 años en la industria del desarrollo inmobiliario, con énfasis en desarrollos residenciales y comerciales.
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ATLANTA (Dec. 9, 2024) – Peachtree Group (“Peachtree”) has reached a significant milestone in Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (CPACE) financing, surpassing the $1.0 billion mark—a distinction shared by only a select few companies in the industry. In 2024 alone, Peachtree completed 22 CPACE transactions across the U.S., surpassing its previous record for CPACE originations.
"In 2019, we launched CPACE, and today we've surpassed our first billion—a testament to the exceptional team and the strength of Peachtree’s vision,” said Jared Schlosser, Peachtree’s Executive Vice President of Hotel Lending and Head of CPACE. “Our strong foundation has not only fueled Peachtree’s success in CPACE financing but also solidified its position as a leader in the broader commercial real estate lending market.”
In the most recent loan origination rankings by the Mortgage Bankers Association, Peachtree was ranked as the seventh-largest commercial real estate investor-driven lender in the U.S.
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The firm’s $1.0 billion in CPACE financing is rooted in hospitality, which remains its largest segment comprising approximately 45% of its total. However, Peachtree has successfully expanded into other sectors, particularly residential communities (including multifamily, student housing and senior living), which now represent 22% of the portfolio or $220 million. Additionally, the firm has executed numerous CPACE transactions across industrial, mixed-use and office sectors, showcasing its versatility.
“In this challenging lending market, CPACE financing has emerged as a crucial source of liquidity for all commercial real estate sectors. This financing option is becoming increasingly essential as owners grapple with looming debt maturities and limited refinancing opportunities,” Schlosser said.
Commercial real estate remains in a turbulent period with trillions of dollars in debt maturing and refinancing becoming increasingly difficult due to tighter lending standards from traditional lenders. These challenges are reshaping the industry and forcing property owners to seek alternative financing solutions.
“CPACE has been a game-changer, offering long-term fixed-rate financing that lowers the cost of capital while enabling property owners to pursue energy-efficient upgrades with reduced financial strain,” Schlosser said. “Peachtree is proud to lead the way in expanding access to this innovative solution, helping owners across all commercial real estate sectors.”
In just over a decade, CPACE has reached a cumulative $7.2 billion in U.S. commercial real estate financings, according to PACE Nation, confirming the growing market adoption and acceptance of this financing tool.
About Peachtree Group
Peachtree Group is a vertically integrated investment management firm specializing in identifying and capitalizing on opportunities in dislocated markets, anchored by commercial real estate. Today, the company manages billions in capital across acquisitions, development and lending, augmented by services designed to protect, support and grow its investments.For more information, visit www.peachtreegroup.com.
En el entorno financiero actual, los patrocinadores buscan formas creativas de capitalizar las operaciones. Una de esas formas es Financiamiento de CPACE.
Jared Schlosser, vicepresidente ejecutivo de Peachtree Hotel y CPACE, conversó con Malcom Davies, presentador del podcast On the Edge, para hablar sobre cómo los patrocinadores pueden utilizar CPACE para todo, desde aprovechar las pilas de capital para el desarrollo hasta la recapitalización retroactiva de proyectos e incluso como fuente de capital de rescate.
En este episodio, comprenda mejor:
Para obtener más información sobre CPACE, visite nuestra Preguntas frecuentes sobre CPACE.
