Peachtree Deploys $1.1B in Commercial Real Estate Investments

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Charles Talbert
VP, Corporate Communications
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Peachtree Group, a diversified commercial real estate investment company, announced its credit division has closed $556 million in loan originations of the $1.1 billion the company deployed year-to-date. The remaining $526 million was deployed to acquire five hotels and undertake three new hotel development projects. The company also opened five hotels that were under construction as of September 2023.

“Commercial real estate owners who have benefited from an extended period of readily available, low-cost capital over the past 15 years are now confronting a new reality,” said Greg Friedman, Peachtree Group’s CEO.

The ability to refinance maturing debt is a growing concern with an estimated $1.9 trillion of U.S. commercial real estate debt maturing before the end of 2026.

“Commercial real estate participants are faced with the pressures of higher capital costs and tighter liquidity in sourcing capital for acquisition, recapitalizations and development strategies,” Friedman said.

Peachtree Group Credit, formerly Stonehill, ranked as the 8th largest U.S. commercial real estate hotel lender by the Mortgage Bankers Association 2022 loan origination rankings. As a direct commercial real estate lender, it offers permanent loans, bridge loans, mezzanine loans, commercial property-asset clean energy (CPACE) financing and preferred equity investments across all commercial real estate sectors, with its origins in the hospitality industry.

Notable credit transactions for hotels completed this year include:

  • A $47.9 million first mortgage loan for the construction of a 215-room Autograph Collection hotel in Huntsville, Ala., which is expected to open in 2024.
  • A $43.6 million first mortgage loan on the 220-room Hampton Inn New York-LaGuardia Airport to recapitalize the project and to cover the cost of deferred maintenance and CapEX.
  • A $42.2 million first mortgage loan on the 133-room Motif on Music Row (Nashville) to refinance the current debt and complete the property, which expects to open in November 2023.
  • An $8.4 million loan in CPACE financing to fund various energy-efficient and sustainability elements of a hotel under construction in Detroit, Mich.

Other commercial real estate sector transactions included:

  • A $52.0 million first mortgage loan for the construction of a 245-unit apartment in Mesa, Ariz.
  • A $42.0 million first mortgage loan for the acquisition of the Town Center at Cobb retail center in Kennesaw, Ga.
  • A $23.0 million first mortgage loan for the construction of a mixed-use development in Charlotte, N.C.

Today, banks are under regulatory pressure and need to shore up their balance sheets and liquidity positions, causing significant lending restrictions to commercial real estate. This traditional lender disruption further elevates private credit for owners and developers to execute their business plans.

“We are experiencing an uptick in activity, with more than half of the loans that we originated closing within the past 60 days,” said Jared Schlosser, Peachtree Group’s senior vice president, Credit. “We are targeting more than $1.0 billion in originations for 2023 with continued growth into 2024 as we anticipate interest rates to remain elevated and banks to further reduce exposure.”

Peachtree Group’s acquisition division completed five hotel acquisitions with a total of 677 keys.

  • Hampton Inn & Suites University Capital - Austin, Texas – 137 keys
  • Homewood Suites Vanderbilt - Nashville, Tenn.  - 192 keys
  • Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta North – Johns Creek, Ga. – 122 keys
  • Courtyard Atlanta Kennesaw – Kennesaw, Ga.– 100 keys
  • Home2 Suites by Hilton – Chandler, Ariz. – 126 rooms

“Our transaction volume remains on pace as we have historically acquired 10 to15 hotels annually. The overall U.S. transaction market is down year-over-year, primarily due to 2022 being an active year while debt was still relatively affordable debt a wide availability of regional lenders and improving operating fundamentals whereas in 2023, the tightening of the debt capital markets has materially impacted transaction velocity,” said Brian Waldman, Peachtree Group’s CIO. “We have been uniquely positioned to acquire most of the hotels off-market leveraging our deep relationship network to secure these institutional-quality assets. We are also unique among our competitors as we have the ability to be an all-cash buyer, eliminating lending risk and closing quickly.”

Peachtree Group expects market transactions to accelerate through the remainder of the year and continue into 2024.

Year-to-date, Peachtree Group’s development division has closed on three new projects representing $293 million in aggregate value:

  • Embassy Suites – Gulf Shores, Ala. – 257 keys
  • Caption by Hyatt – Nashville, Tenn. – 210 keys
  • AC by Marriott – Detroit, Mich. – 154-keys

In addition, the development team has opened five hotels with a combined development cost of approximately $119 million:

  • Hilton Garden Inn – Florence, Ky. – 123 keys
  • Hilton Garden Inn – Pensacola, Fla.– 102 keys
  • Hampton Inn – Delray Beach, Fla.– 143 keys
  • Hampton Inn and Home2 Suites – Lake Nona, Fla. – 150 Keys (80 Hampton Inn + 70 Home2 Suites)

The development division, which builds hotels on Peachtree Group’s behalf as well as through joint ventures with strategic partners, is expected to break ground prior to year-end on the construction of four more hotels with an aggregate value of $200 million.

CBRE projects new supply growth to average around 1% for the next three years, well below the amount of new supply growth experienced before the COVID-19 pandemic and less than the 2.5% pace of demand growth over the next three years.

“Supply growth of new hotel rooms continues to be hampered by the challenges from the pandemic and has been further impacted today with dislocation in the credit markets,” said Will Woodworth, vice president of investments, development, at Peachtree Group. “We believe supply will continue to be limited for the foreseeable future and have ramped up our development pipeline in response.”

If actual demand growth rates exceed what is forecasted, the hotel market could be facing a hotel room supply shortage.  This would fuel the growth in occupancy rates and compression in room rates.

“Despite headwinds in the broader markets, Peachtree is well-positioned, capitalized and oriented to strategically target the submarkets and demand segments where new hotels rooms, when realized, will flourish,” Woodworth said.

About Peachtree Group

Peachtree Group is an investment firm driving growth with a diverse portfolio of commercial real estate assets and other ventures. The company has executed hundreds of investments since its inception, focusing on real estate acquisition, development and lending valued at almost $9.0 billion in total market capitalization. Today, Peachtree manages over $2.5 billion in equity, augmented by services designed to protect, support and grow its investments.

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Peachtree Group Named to Inc.'s 2024 U.S. Best Workplaces

Peachtree Group has been proudly named to Inc.'s annual Best Workplaces list. This award is a testament to our continuous growth and success, further solidifying our previous Top Place to Work recognition from USA Today.

ATLANTA (June 24, 2024) – Peachtree Group, a leading private equity firm specializing in identifying and capitalizing on opportunities in dislocated markets, has been proudly named to Inc.'s annual Best Workplaces list. This prestigious recognition not only highlights our company's excellence but also our team's dedication to creating exceptional workplaces and company cultures. This award is a testament to our continuous growth and success, further solidifying our previous Top Place to Work recognition from USA Today.

"Recognitions like Inc.'s annual Best Workplaces and USA Today's Top Places to Work are particularly meaningful to us because they reflect our team members' positive feedback, something we deeply value," said Greg Friedman, Peachtree's managing principal and CEO. "Winning these awards demonstrates our commitment to culture and inclusion truly resonates with our team. We believe in providing a healthy work/life balance to support our team members. When our team feels cared for, they show even stronger commitment to their work, leading to positive business impacts and increased employee engagement."

Inc. selected 543 honorees this year. Each nominated company participated in an employee survey, which included topics such as management effectiveness, perks, fostering employee growth and overall company culture.

"Each year, Inc.'s Best Workplaces program recognizes the very best in terms of companies that have fostered a truly amazing culture," says Inc. editor-in-chief Mike Hofman. "We use hard metrics and data as well as qualitative measures for judging in order to find the very best—and we're proud that the program is highly selective."

In addition to being named as one of Inc.'s Best Workplaces and USAToday’s Top Place to Work, Peachtree’s Friedman, Jatin Desai, managing principal and CFO, and Daniel Siegel, principal and president, credit, were recipients of GlobeSt.’s 2024 Best Bosses in Commercial Real Estate Award, celebrating leaders who exemplify ambition, financial acumen, exceptional people skills and inspire innovation through their exemplary leadership. In addition, Michael Ritz, Peachtree executive vice president, investments, and Siegel were selected as Commercial Real Estate’s Aspiring Leaders of 2024.

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                                                                                                  

678-823-7683                                                                                                    

ctalbert@peachtreegroup.com                                                

Press Release
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Peachtree Group Funds Net Lease Retail, Medical and Industrial Properties

Peachtree Group has expanded its financing program to include net lease retail, medical and industrial properties. The program provides up to 100% loan to cost construction financing for these asset classes, effectively addressing a critical gap in the current commercial real estate market.

ATLANTA (June 20, 2024) – Peachtree Group (Peachtree) has expanded its financing program to include net lease retail, medical and industrial properties. The program provides up to 100% loan to cost construction financing for these asset classes, effectively addressing a critical gap in the current commercial real estate market.

The commercial real estate market is currently experiencing a void between tenant expansion plans and financing availability. Developers need alternative financing solutions, as banks have pulled back on lending due to exposure and liquidity constraints.

“Peachtree’s comprehensive financing offerings come at a critical time, as the retail vacancy rate in the U.S. reached a historic low of 4.6% in December 2023, while construction starts significantly declined due to increased financing costs and reduced capital availability,” said Daniel Siegal, Peachtree’s principal and president, CRE.

Net lease financing requires a tenant to pay base rent along with property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs. This long-term and stable arrangement makes it highly suitable for financing new construction projects. Triple net leases, in particular, enhance this method's value in commercial real estate. By securing lease commitments from creditworthy tenants, developers can leverage stable income streams to secure favorable financing terms.

Net Lease Program Highlights:

  • Flexible Financing Options: Multiple and single net lease financing.
  • Innovative Solutions: Flexible capital to support complex deals.
  • In-House Loan Servicing: Dedicated servicing for a streamlined process.

Terms:

  • Interest Only: Payment options to ease cash flow management.
  • High Loan-to-Value: Up to 80% of finished value.
  • Comprehensive Loan-to-Cost: Up to 100% LTC.

 

“As a nationwide balance-sheet lender, Peachtree Group offers competitive terms, in-house loan servicing, and flexible capital to handle a wide array of projects. Our net lease financing is designed to provide the flexibility and support needed for successful project execution, no matter how complex the deal,” said Siegel.

Through various programs, Peachtree provides full-stack debt capital solutions to qualified commercial real estate owners across all sectors throughout the U.S.

For more information about Peachtree Group’s Triple Net Lease financing and how it can benefit your business, please visit our website at www.peachtreegroup.com/credit.

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                                                                                                  

678-823-7683                                                                                                    

ctalbert@peachtreegroup.com

Press Release
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Peachtree Group’s Film Financing Division Gaining Notoriety

Peachtree Group debuted its financed film, "The Surfer,” starring Nicholas Cage, at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.

ATLANTA (June 3, 2024) – Peachtree Group (Peachtree), a prominent private equity firm, debuted its financed film, "The Surfer,” starring Nicholas Cage, at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.

This successful premiere at Cannes is just one highlight in a series of achievements by Peachtree and its film financing division, Peachtree Media Partners. The firm already has financed nearly a dozen films, cementing its reputation as a growing alternative to conventional television and movie financing.

Peachtree leverages its deep financial expertise and a proven track record of more than $10 billion in investments to excel in uncovering niche and non-traditional opportunities where risk is mispriced to its advantage, driving outsized returns on its investments. The firm applies this strategic insight to transform the financing landscape for television and film productions, generating significant value.

"Our increased activity in movie and television financing represents a natural progression of our capabilities and interests," said Greg Friedman, managing principal and CEO of Peachtree. "We recognize the unique challenges and opportunities within the entertainment industry, especially in an era where content creation is rapidly evolving. We aim to support producers and creators with tailored financial solutions that align with their vision and project needs."

This strategic expansion taps into the growing demand for alternative financing within the dynamic entertainment sector. It specifically addresses the needs of productions ranging from $5 million to $50 million, which are adapting to rapid changes and an increasing number of productions seeking flexible funding options.

As streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and others continue to pour billions into original content to captivate and retain subscribers, they are reshaping the entire financing landscape.

"Peachtree's initiative is poised to capitalize on these industry shifts, offering innovative financial structures that align with the needs of modern content creators," Friedman said. "Having an industry veteran, Joshua Harris, leading Peachtree Media Partners provides the expertise to structure the financing appropriately while mitigating downside risks."

Peachtree's risk management strategy in entertainment financing includes detailed evaluations of each project's commercial potential, the presence of A-list talent, the production team's track record and collateral such as tax credits and pre-sale agreements. The firm also implements safeguards like completion bonds to ensure that projects are completed within budget and on schedule.

"We are excited to provide a platform that not only fuels the creative economy but also aligns with our investment strategies, providing our stakeholders with diverse opportunities in the burgeoning entertainment sector," added Joshua Harris, managing partner of Peachtree Media Partners. "Furthermore, Peachtree's vertical integration allows us to go beyond capital investments in debt and equity by developing the infrastructure needed to originate, underwrite, manage assets and operate as appropriate."

Peachtree has fully transitioned into film and television financing, actively collaborating with filmmakers and production companies on upcoming projects, with 20-plus opportunities currently in its pipeline. In 2024, additional Peachtree-financed movies slated to be released alongside “The Surfer,” include “The Fabulous Four,” starring Bette Midler and Susan Sarandon, “Not Without Hope,” featuring Zachary Levy and Josh Duhamel and “In the Grey,” directed by Guy Ritchie.

The ongoing digital transformation, the proliferation of high-quality content production and changes in consumer viewing habits suggest that the movie and film financing market will remain dynamic and potentially lucrative for the foreseeable future.  

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

678-823-7683

ctalbert@peachtreegroup.com