Article Originally Featured in HotelBusiness.com
As the commercial real estate lending environment continues evolving in response to economic pressures and shifting borrower needs, CPACE (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy) financing is becoming more prominent, with projections of it surpassing $10 billion in cumulative investments this year. According to Peachtree Group, a leading hospitality and commercial real estate financier, CPACE originations for the firm are expected to increase by 15–25% this year, marking another strong year for this creative financing solution.
This projected growth is fueled by legislative momentum, borrower demand for capital flexibility and gaps in traditional lending. CPACE programs, long supported by energy efficiency and sustainability goals, are seeing broader market adoption.
As more states implement or expand CPACE legislation, borrowers will have increasing access to a financing option—currently available in 40 states and the District of Columbia—that offers long-term, fixed-rate, fully assumable debt, a rare combination in today’s higher-rate environment.
Banks' tightening of construction lending has created a gap in the capital stack, and CPACE is emerging as a critical tool to bridge that gap with flexible, borrower-friendly terms. Hotel developers, in particular, are leveraging CPACE to offset rising construction costs and inflationary pressures. Whether for ground-up development or major renovations, the program provides a cost-effective alternative that aligns with the longer lifecycle of hospitality assets. Importantly, firms like Peachtree Group are now bundling CPACE with senior loans to provide a seamless financing solution that simplifies deal structures and accelerates timelines.
An emerging trend gaining traction among hotel owners is the use of retroactive CPACE financing.
While CPACE is typically arranged before construction begins, retroactive CPACE allows eligible property owners to secure this funding after a project is completed—sometimes even years later. The allowable "look-back" period varies by state but generally ranges from two to three years. This form of financing is proving especially valuable for owners by providing lower-cost liquidity and enhancing cash flow on projects that were initially funded through traditional means.
A recent example is the Hilton Garden Inn in Davis, Calif., which underwent a renovation in 2019. Peachtree Group originated the retroactive CPACE financing, and the proceeds were used to pay down the senior loan and fund the buildout of a fitness studio attached to the hotel.
As awareness of retroactive CPACE grows, more borrowers are expected to revisit previously completed projects to unlock capital, improve balance sheets or reinvest in future developments.
In a macroeconomic environment still marked by persistent high interest rates and cautious bank lending, CPACE's fixed-rate, non-recourse nature stands out. As more stakeholders, including municipalities, developers, and capital providers, embrace CPACE's flexibility and stability, its role in reshaping commercial real estate finance will only deepen. For hotel developers and owners looking to navigate today's complex capital markets, CPACE isn't just an option, it's a strategic advantage.
Peachtree Group is a direct balance sheet lender focused on funding first mortgage bridge loans, mezzanine loans, preferred equity investments, and commercial property assessed clean energy (CPACE) financing. Jared Schlosser is responsible for Peachtree's hotel originations platform and its CPACE program.
ATLANTA (August 18, 2024) – Peachtree Group (“Peachtree”) has originated the largest credit transaction in its history, closing a $176.5 million retroactive Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (“CPACE”) loan for Dreamscape Companies’ recently renovated 2,520-room Rio Hotel & Casino(“Rio”) in Las Vegas, Nev. The deal, finalized in less than 60 days, ranks among the largest CPACE financings ever completed in the United States.
The Rio, now under the Destinations by Hyatt brand, is a casino resort featuring two hotel towers, Ipanema and Masquerade, connected by a casino, restaurants and retail establishments. Renovations completed in 2024 included a full transformation of the Ipanema Tower guest suites, a reimagined casino floor and significant upgrades to multiple food and beverage venues. The comprehensive property improvement plan also delivered exterior enhancements, modernization of the central heating and cooling plant, electrical infrastructure upgrades and renovations to the convention center.
“This deal highlights an inflection point for CPACE, with some of the nation’s largest financial institutions consenting to its use because they see the clear benefit to the capital stack,” said Jared Schlosser, head of originations and CPACE for Peachtree. “By closing quickly on a marquee hospitality asset, we were able to strengthen the position of both the owner and its lenders.”
The CPACE loan retroactively funded the renovations enabling the owners to pay down their senior loan. Retroactive CPACE funding offers a distinct advantage by allowing 100% of the proceeds to be reimbursed for completed project costs.
“This transaction is not only a historic milestone for Peachtree Group, but also a testament to the ecosystem we have built over the past 18 years,” said Greg Friedman, managing principal and CEO of Peachtree. “Through our vertically integrated platform, deep expertise and disciplined approach, we have developed the infrastructure to be a leader in the private credit space. Our ability to deliver speed, creativity and certainty of execution positions us to provide capital solutions that create value for our investors and partners across market cycles.”
The CPACE market has surpassed $10 billion in cumulative U.S. originations in just over a decade, according to the C-PACE Alliance, with strong growth expected as more institutional owners and lenders recognize its value. “We see tremendous opportunity ahead for retroactive CPACE and its use in funding new commercial real estate development,” Schlosser said. “It’s an attractive alternative to more expensive forms of capital.”
Peachtree is one of the most active CPACE lenders in the country, with more than $1.5 billion in originations. The firm’s credit platform spans CPACE, bridge, mezzanine and construction lending, providing creative capital solutions across market cycles.
The hotel lending landscape continues to shift, shaped by rising rates, tighter equity, and the need for more creative capital structures.In this Hotel Business Magazine roundtable recap, Peachtree Group’s Michael Harper, President, Hotel Lending, and Jared Schlosser, Head of Credit Originations & Commercial CPACE, share insights on:
• Navigating the gap between buyer/seller expectations
• The growing role of private credit
• Structuring deals with CPACE, mezzanine, and hybrid financing
• Underwriting and execution in today’s higher-risk environment
Mergers & Acquisitions- Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy, or CPACE financing, which allows commercial property owners to borrow money for energy efficiency, renewable energy generation, water conservation and other upgrade projects, is a growing market, and is largely being provided by private equity firms.
According to the CPACE Alliance, anon-profit that works to increase the volume of quality projects, this loan market is growing nicely (see chart below). The market hit over $10 billion in total originations by the end of 2024.
Jared Schlosser, the executive vice president and head of hotel originations and CPACE at Atlanta PE firm Peachtree Group, says the firm has averaged 25 percent year-over-year growth since it started CPACE lending at the end of 2019. He expects the market to grow as more states get access to CPACE.
