In the latest episode of Peachtree Point of View, host Greg Friedman delves into the world of private credit lending with Daniel Siegel, head of Peachtree Group's commercial real estate lending platform. Together, they unpack how today's evolving market landscape is opening doors to compelling private credit investments.
The market is at an inflection point, with treasury yields north of 4.5% and nearly $2 trillion in commercial real estate loans maturing over the next 24 months. Siegel observes, "If you bought in 2020-2022, there's a good chance you've experienced some value deterioration." This trend has pressured multifamily valuations, which have dropped by 20-25%, yet fundamentals remain solid, with properties continuing to maintain healthy occupancy.
The discussion highlights an intriguing paradox: while many assets face valuation challenges, they continue to perform well operationally. This disconnect is creating opportunities for sophisticated investors, particularly as banks contend with increasing regulatory pressure to reduce their commercial real estate exposure. Siegel shares an interesting case study of a Massachusetts multifamily project where his team stepped in to provide a creative financing solution that benefited both the original lender and the borrower.
The episode also offers nuanced insights into various property sectors. As mentioned, multifamily, while grappling with near-term pricing pressure, holds strong long-term fundamentals. Hospitality demonstrates remarkable resilience, leveraging its daily pricing power. Retail has emerged stronger after years of supply rationalization. Conversely, office assets present a mixed picture—Class A properties maintain performance, while secondary assets face substantial challenges.
For investors exploring private credit opportunities, Siegel emphasizes the importance of working with experienced managers equipped with the infrastructure for loan servicing and workouts. "It's easy to write loans," he notes. "It's the infrastructure needed to work them out that matters."
Drawing on Peachtree Group's 17-year track record and over $11 billion in commercial real estate investments, the discussion underscores the firm's ability to provide creative financing solutions while maintaining conservative underwriting (typically 65-70% LTV).This approach has helped the firm to capitalize on market dislocations while effectively managing risk.
With its seasoned expertise and innovative strategies, Peachtree Group continues to lead the way in delivering strong risk-adjusted returns on its investments. This episode is filled with actionable insights and strategic guidance for navigating today's complex market environment.
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.
