Article Originally Featured in HotelBusiness.com
Private credit lenders have increasingly stepped into the void left by traditional banks, but not all are built the same, especially when it comes to hospitality. For sponsors like ARK Holdings, a seasoned hotel operator with a Florida-focused portfolio, finding a capital partner who understands the nuances of hotel operations and the complexities of today's capital markets is critical.
Peachtree Group recently demonstrated its ability to structure flexible, sponsor-aligned financing solutions through two bridge loans in Tallahassee, Florida: a $17.4 million floating-rate bridge loan for the 122-room Hampton Inn & Suites and a $12.75 million fixed-rate bridge loan for the 99-room Hilton Garden Inn. ARK Holdings owns both properties and these transactions are a case study of how Peachtree's multiple capital buckets allow customized structuring based on business plans, market conditions and sponsor objectives.
For the Hampton Inn & Suites, Peachtree provided a three-year floating-rate loan with two 12-month extension options, an ideal fit for a property that recently completed a multi-million-dollar PIP in September 2024. The Sponsor will use the term to stabilize performance, with plans to refinance into permanent financing. The floating structure offers flexibility to benefit from market rate movement and aligns with the short-term nature of the repositioning strategy.
In contrast, the Hilton Garden Inn received a five-year fixed-rate loan, a structure designed to support longer-term asset management and cash flow certainty following its more substantial renovation completed in August 2024. With both assets operating under the same Sponsor and adjacent to each other, ARK Holdings will benefit from cost savings through shared management and operations, enhancing overall performance.
Both loans reflect Peachtree's conviction in the Tallahassee market, which is poised to benefit from renewed government-related travel and corporate demand. Market ADR is expected to grow in line with inflation, and both hotels are projected to outperform their comp sets, a testament to the Sponsor's operational strength and capital investment.
More importantly, these deals reflect a deeper truth about hospitality-focused private credit: experience matters. Peachtree's deep roots in hotel ownership and operations allow it to underwrite beyond the spreadsheet, taking into account brand standards, PIP timelines and market seasonality. This understanding results in greater alignment with sponsors and better execution throughout the loan lifecycle.
At a time when capital markets remain selective, it is invaluable to have a lender who not only provides capital but also understands how hotels actually run. For sponsors navigating renovation-heavy business plans or managing complex portfolios, working with a lender like Peachtree Group, who brings operational know-how and flexible capital, is a strategic advantage. In a market where one-size-fits-all financing no longer works, Peachtree's approach proves that tailoring capital to the business plan is not just smart; it's essential.
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.
Commercial Observer | Peachtree Group originated the three-year, floating-rate, $55MM bridge loan with two 12-month extension options for Hotel Amarano Burbank Hollywood, which Nimes Real Estate acquired in late 2019. The hotel is locate in Burbank, Calif., near Warner Bros. headquarters and Walt Disney Studios.
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ATLANTA(September 22, 2025) - Peachtree Group ("Peachtree"), a leading commercial real estate investment firm overseeing a diversified portfolio of more than $8 billion, announced the hiring of Billy Gilchrist as senior vice president, originations. In this role, Gilchrist will be responsible for originating commercial real estate and hotel investments across Peachtree's lending platform.
Gilchrist brings more than a decade of leadership experience in finance, real estate and hospitality to Peachtree. He has a proven track record in executing large-scale acquisitions, new construction and capital improvement projects totaling more than $400 million. His expertise spans debt structuring, capital raising and asset management, making him a strong addition to the firm's credit platform.
"Billy's deep background in finance and real estate, combined with his ability to structure complex transactions and foster strong relationships, will be instrumental as we continue scaling our lending platform," said Jared Schlosser, head of originations and CPACE at Peachtree. "His appointment reflects our commitment to expanding our origination capabilities with leaders who bring both strategic vision and hands-on experience."
Before joining Peachtree, Gilchrist served as chief financial and investment officer of ARK, where he oversaw investment strategy, financial planning and operations. Previously, he held senior executive roles with Hotel Development & Management Group where he was instrumental in driving the company's development pipeline, acquisitions and investor engagement. Earlier in his career, he held positions with Insight Credit Union and BB&T, managing credit portfolios and small business relationships.
Gilchrist earned a Master of Science in entrepreneurship from the University of Florida's Hough Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in finance from the University of Florida's Warrington College of Business.
Commercial Observer | Pacifica Hotels has secured $126.1MM to refinance a portfolio of seven southern California hotels that hold a combined 601 rooms across San Diego, Pismo Beach, Venice, and Manhattan Beach.
Peachtree Group (along with Goldman Sachs) provided a three-year loan secured by the Belamar Hotel Manhattan Beach, which is part of the Hilton brand in Manhattan Beach, Calfornia.
