ATLANTA (Nov. 13, 2025) – Peachtree Group (“Peachtree”), a leading commercial real estate investment firm overseeing a diversified portfolio of more than $9 billion, announced the appointment of Zach Chandler as senior vice president of strategy, government lending.
In this role,Chandler will lead strategic initiatives and business development for Peachtree’s expanding government lending platform, which includes programs backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) and other federally guaranteed loan programs.
“Zach’s leadership and experience in the government-guaranteed lending space will be instrumental as we continue to scale our platform,” said Greg Friedman,managing principal and CEO of Peachtree.
Chandler brings nearly a decade of experience in government-guaranteed lending and commercial finance. He joins Peachtree from Thomas USAF Group, one of the nation’s largest originators of USDA and SBA loans, where he most recently served as senior vice president of government-guaranteed lending. During his tenure, he helped expand the firm’s lending capabilities, strengthen borrower relationships and align growth strategies across financial partners.
Earlier in his career at Thomas USAF Group, Chandler held roles as vice president and commercial loan officer, where he was responsible for loan origination, credit evaluation and client relationship management. His experience includes leading due diligence and underwriting processes for middle-market borrowers and developing customized financing structures across industries.
“The addition of the USDA Business & Industry Loan Program enhances our ability to provide flexible, long-term financing for projects in smaller or underserved markets, areas where traditional bank lending has pulled back. Integrating USDA lending into our broader credit platform expands our reach, diversifies our capital solutions and allows us to support borrowers across the full spectrum of commercial real estate and operating businesses,” Friedman said.
Chandler earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business.
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.
