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ATLANTA (Sept. 30, 2024) – Peachtree Group (“Peachtree”) is pleased to announce that Brent LeBlanc is now leading the firm's business development efforts across its investment platforms. In his new role as executive vice president, business development, Brent will support Peachtree's efforts to grow and expand its vertically integrated investment platforms. His responsibilities will include focusing on cross-marketing strategies, fostering business development and collaborating closely with the investment teams to drive innovation and capture new opportunities.
With roughly 30 years of hospitality real estate experience, LeBlanc has successfully launched hotel brands and completed complex real estate transactions with the largest hotel operators and developers in the U.S.
"This year, Peachtree surpassed $10 billion in transaction investment value, and we see a tremendous opportunity to grow our business further but realize we need to prioritize our business development efforts to enhance our competitive edge in the market,” said Greg Friedman, Peachtree's managing principal and CEO. “Brent is a long-serving trusted leader and the right person to guide Peachtree's business development forward effectively.”
LeBlanc joined Peachtree in 2012 to lead an aggressive growth strategy to expand Peachtree’s footprint into the western U.S. and strengthen relationships with premium-branded hotels such as Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt andIHG. During that time, LeBlanc participated in more than $4.0 billion in real estate transactions across the enterprise.
"The core of our business development efforts is a strong commitment to innovation and strategic partnerships,” said LeBlanc. “We are dedicated to identifying and capitalizing on new opportunities to ensure the firm's growth and long-term success. By continuously adapting to market trends and fostering a culture of collaboration, we are well-positioned to drive our business forward and achieve outstanding results."
LeBlanc most recently served as executive vice president, capital markets, building and expanding the leadership team for Peachtree's broker-dealer affiliate, Peachtree PC Investors ("PPCI"). He has been instrumental in scaling up PPCI’s capital markets, investor relations and sales efforts and strengthening its financial and compliance operations. Most notably, he brought in Brian Cho as PPCI's president last year, who will continue to oversee all areas of equity capital markets.
"By prioritizing business development, we are positioning ourselves to capitalize on emerging opportunities and navigate the evolving financial landscape," Greg Friedman said.
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.
Commercial Observer | Peachtree Group originated the three-year loan with two 12-month extension options for the developer's 123-key Aloft Cupertino, California. Loan will fund an reno of the 2013-built property situated two blocks from Apple's Infinite Loop Campus.
Atlanta Business Chronicle | Atlanta Based Peachtree Group provided at $42MM loan to finance Banyan Street Capital’s acquisition of Atlanta Financial Center, the high profile office complex in the heart of Buckhead. The lender announced that it originated a floating rate first mortgage loan with a three-year initial term and 1 year extension option.
Press Release
ATLANTA (July 23, 2025) -Peachtree Group ("Peachtree) originated a $42 million first mortgage loan to finance Banyan Street Capital's ("Banyan") acquisition and repositioning of the Atlanta Financial Center ("AFC"), a914,774-square-foot Class A office campus in Buckhead, Atlanta.
“This transaction highlights how private credit continues to fuel opportunities across the commercial real estate landscape,” said Daniel Siegel, president and principal CRE of Peachtree. “In today’s volatile environment of elevated interest rates and persistent inflation, private credit remains a critical source of capital.”
Much like during the height of the debt crisis, when private credit lenders stepped in to maintain liquidity and helped stave off a broader recession, today’s private credit market continues to step up to fill the void left by traditional lenders and provide certainty for sponsors pursuing thoughtful business strategies.
“We believe the office sector is at an inflection point, much like retail when we were financing mall acquisitions. Negative sentiment is masking real opportunities. The market is bifurcated, with most vacancy tied to a number of troubled assets, and when you adjust for those, the fundamentals tell a different story. While sentiment will take time to shift, we’re ready to back smart business plans in this space,” Siegel said.
Initially acquired in 2016 by a Sumitomo Corporation affiliate for $222.5 million, AFC faced tenant departures, softening fundamentals and shifting capital priorities. The property is situated atopGA-400, offering daily visibility to approximately 420,000 commuters, and comprises three interconnected towers spanning 13.05 acres, with structured parking for 2,335 vehicles.
Banyan plans to reposition AFC, starting with the lease-up of the North Tower, supported by capital expenditure reserves and funds for tenant improvements and leasing. The sponsor will also explore larger tenant opportunities and future redevelopment options.
“This transaction reflects a careful approach to how we de-risk, by structuring a basis reset in a top submarket with an experienced sponsor and a clear repositioning plan," Siegel said.
While the broader office market faces headwinds, Buckhead remains one of Atlanta's strongest submarkets, supported by its base of financial firms, direct MARTA access, and highway connectivity, as well as high-end retail and hospitality amenities. Limited new supply, declining sublease inventory and stable tenant demand position Buckhead and AFC for recovery and growth.
The floating-rate loan carries a 36-month initial term with a 12-month extension option and is backed by completion, interest and carry guarantees from Banyan.
This transaction highlights Peachtree's ability to deliver flexible capital solutions for transitional assets in premier locations at a meaningful basis reset. Comparable transactions in the market reflect a 98percent premium to Peachtree's loan basis, underscoring the strength of the collateral and business plan.
"Borrowers are seeking flexible capital solutions that can adapt to shifting market conditions, and that's exactly what we're delivering," said Jared Schlosser, head of originations and CPACE at Peachtree. "By offering certainty of execution, we're giving sponsors the runway they need to execute thoughtful business plans."
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.
Contact:
Charles Talbert
678-823-7683ctalbert@peachtreegroup.com
Commercial Observer | Shopoff Realty Investments has sealed a $52 million loan to refinance a newly built industrial project in suburban Phoenix, Commercial Observer has learned.
Peachtree Group originated the bridge loan for Shoproff’s planned 270-acre The Block at Elliot development at the intersection of East Elliot Road and South Sossaman Road in Mesa, Ariz.
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