Article Originally Published in HotelBusiness.com
Hotel owners are facing one of the most demanding operating environments in decades. Interest rates remain high, property valuations are resetting and the costs of running a hotel—particularly energy—continue to rise. Meanwhile, guests have elevated expectations, lenders are more selective and the pressure to maintain profitability in an uncertain market has never been more significant.
In this climate, hotel owners can no longer afford to delay strategic upgrades that make their properties more efficient, resilient and competitive. Sustainable innovation is no longer nice to have; it’s quickly becoming essential for long-term success. Fortunately, hotel owners now have a powerful tool to help them implement these upgrades without draining their reserves or disrupting cash flow: CPACE financing.
Energy is among the most volatile and burdensome line items in a hotel’s operating budget. The rising cost of utilities—from climate control to lighting to laundry—cuts directly into margins. According to recent projections, U.S. natural gas prices alone are expected to increase by nearly 50% in the coming year. These rising costs can add up fast for hotels, especially older properties.
However, energy costs are also one of the most addressable threats. Owners who invest in energy-efficient systems, solar panels, HVAC upgrades or water conservation measures can significantly reduce operating expenses. More importantly, they gain more control over those expenses, becoming less reliant on grid pricing and utility volatility.
This is where CPACE (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy) financing comes into play. CPACE enables hotel owners to access long-term fixed-rate financing for eligible improvements like energy efficiency, renewable energy and resiliency upgrades. Unlike traditional loans, CPACE is repaid through a special property tax assessment over a period that can extend up to 30 years. That means no upfront capital outlay, non-recourse financing and the potential to pass along costs to future owners if the asset is sold.
By using CPACE, hotel owners can make the upgrades they need today without disrupting operations or tying up cash reserves.
These improvements do more than reduce costs. Properties that are upgraded with efficiency and resiliency in mind tend to command stronger interest from guests, brand partners and investors. As consumers become more conscious of sustainability and more sensitive to comfort and reliability, hotels that can market lower carbon footprints, modernized systems and energy independence stand out in a crowded market.
There’s also growing evidence that sustainability enhances asset value. Properties that have made these upgrades are often better positioned for refinancing or disposition. Buyers are looking closely at operating expenses and capital needs. A hotel with a new roof, efficient systems and solar capabilities is far more attractive than one that faces deferred maintenance and high utility bills.
Sustainable innovation also offers protection against increasingly frequent and severe weather events. Hurricanes, heatwaves, floods and freezes can cause major disruption. Hotels that integrate battery storage, microgrids and storm-resistant features can maintain operations, reduce damage and serve as safe havens in times of crisis. That kind of resilience doesn’t just protect the bottom line—it enhances a hotel’s reputation and guest loyalty.
Hotel owners don’t have to tackle everything at once. The key is starting with the most impactful and cost-effective improvements. CPACE makes that possible. It’s an accessible scalable financing solution that aligns with the long-term nature of hotel ownership and investment.
In a tightening market where margins are under pressure and capital is harder to come by, CPACE offers hotel owners a path forward. It provides a way to modernize properties, cut expenses, increase competitiveness and build resilience—all without adding traditional debt to the balance sheet.
Today’s environment demands more from hotel owners. With sustainable innovation and the strategic use of CPACE financing, those demands can become an opportunity—not just to survive but to grow stronger and more competitive in the years ahead.
Peachtree Group
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.
Article Originally Published in HotelBusiness.com
Hotel owners are facing one of the most demanding operating environments in decades. Interest rates remain high, property valuations are resetting and the costs of running a hotel—particularly energy—continue to rise. Meanwhile, guests have elevated expectations, lenders are more selective and the pressure to maintain profitability in an uncertain market has never been more significant.
In this climate, hotel owners can no longer afford to delay strategic upgrades that make their properties more efficient, resilient and competitive. Sustainable innovation is no longer nice to have; it’s quickly becoming essential for long-term success. Fortunately, hotel owners now have a powerful tool to help them implement these upgrades without draining their reserves or disrupting cash flow: CPACE financing.
Energy is among the most volatile and burdensome line items in a hotel’s operating budget. The rising cost of utilities—from climate control to lighting to laundry—cuts directly into margins. According to recent projections, U.S. natural gas prices alone are expected to increase by nearly 50% in the coming year. These rising costs can add up fast for hotels, especially older properties.
However, energy costs are also one of the most addressable threats. Owners who invest in energy-efficient systems, solar panels, HVAC upgrades or water conservation measures can significantly reduce operating expenses. More importantly, they gain more control over those expenses, becoming less reliant on grid pricing and utility volatility.
This is where CPACE (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy) financing comes into play. CPACE enables hotel owners to access long-term fixed-rate financing for eligible improvements like energy efficiency, renewable energy and resiliency upgrades. Unlike traditional loans, CPACE is repaid through a special property tax assessment over a period that can extend up to 30 years. That means no upfront capital outlay, non-recourse financing and the potential to pass along costs to future owners if the asset is sold.
By using CPACE, hotel owners can make the upgrades they need today without disrupting operations or tying up cash reserves.
These improvements do more than reduce costs. Properties that are upgraded with efficiency and resiliency in mind tend to command stronger interest from guests, brand partners and investors. As consumers become more conscious of sustainability and more sensitive to comfort and reliability, hotels that can market lower carbon footprints, modernized systems and energy independence stand out in a crowded market.
There’s also growing evidence that sustainability enhances asset value. Properties that have made these upgrades are often better positioned for refinancing or disposition. Buyers are looking closely at operating expenses and capital needs. A hotel with a new roof, efficient systems and solar capabilities is far more attractive than one that faces deferred maintenance and high utility bills.
Sustainable innovation also offers protection against increasingly frequent and severe weather events. Hurricanes, heatwaves, floods and freezes can cause major disruption. Hotels that integrate battery storage, microgrids and storm-resistant features can maintain operations, reduce damage and serve as safe havens in times of crisis. That kind of resilience doesn’t just protect the bottom line—it enhances a hotel’s reputation and guest loyalty.
Hotel owners don’t have to tackle everything at once. The key is starting with the most impactful and cost-effective improvements. CPACE makes that possible. It’s an accessible scalable financing solution that aligns with the long-term nature of hotel ownership and investment.
In a tightening market where margins are under pressure and capital is harder to come by, CPACE offers hotel owners a path forward. It provides a way to modernize properties, cut expenses, increase competitiveness and build resilience—all without adding traditional debt to the balance sheet.
Today’s environment demands more from hotel owners. With sustainable innovation and the strategic use of CPACE financing, those demands can become an opportunity—not just to survive but to grow stronger and more competitive in the years ahead.
Peachtree Group
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.
Article Originally Featured in HotelBusiness.com
As the commercial real estate lending environment continues evolving in response to economic pressures and shifting borrower needs, CPACE (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy) financing is becoming more prominent, with projections of it surpassing $10 billion in cumulative investments this year. According to Peachtree Group, a leading hospitality and commercial real estate financier, CPACE originations for the firm are expected to increase by 15–25% this year, marking another strong year for this creative financing solution.
This projected growth is fueled by legislative momentum, borrower demand for capital flexibility and gaps in traditional lending. CPACE programs, long supported by energy efficiency and sustainability goals, are seeing broader market adoption.
As more states implement or expand CPACE legislation, borrowers will have increasing access to a financing option—currently available in 40 states and the District of Columbia—that offers long-term, fixed-rate, fully assumable debt, a rare combination in today’s higher-rate environment.
Banks' tightening of construction lending has created a gap in the capital stack, and CPACE is emerging as a critical tool to bridge that gap with flexible, borrower-friendly terms. Hotel developers, in particular, are leveraging CPACE to offset rising construction costs and inflationary pressures. Whether for ground-up development or major renovations, the program provides a cost-effective alternative that aligns with the longer lifecycle of hospitality assets. Importantly, firms like Peachtree Group are now bundling CPACE with senior loans to provide a seamless financing solution that simplifies deal structures and accelerates timelines.
An emerging trend gaining traction among hotel owners is the use of retroactive CPACE financing.
While CPACE is typically arranged before construction begins, retroactive CPACE allows eligible property owners to secure this funding after a project is completed—sometimes even years later. The allowable "look-back" period varies by state but generally ranges from two to three years. This form of financing is proving especially valuable for owners by providing lower-cost liquidity and enhancing cash flow on projects that were initially funded through traditional means.
A recent example is the Hilton Garden Inn in Davis, Calif., which underwent a renovation in 2019. Peachtree Group originated the retroactive CPACE financing, and the proceeds were used to pay down the senior loan and fund the buildout of a fitness studio attached to the hotel.
As awareness of retroactive CPACE grows, more borrowers are expected to revisit previously completed projects to unlock capital, improve balance sheets or reinvest in future developments.
In a macroeconomic environment still marked by persistent high interest rates and cautious bank lending, CPACE's fixed-rate, non-recourse nature stands out. As more stakeholders, including municipalities, developers, and capital providers, embrace CPACE's flexibility and stability, its role in reshaping commercial real estate finance will only deepen. For hotel developers and owners looking to navigate today's complex capital markets, CPACE isn't just an option, it's a strategic advantage.
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.
ATLANTA (June 26, 2025) – Peachtree Group ("Peachtree"), a leading commercial real estate investment firm, has promoted Jared Schlosser to head of originations for all commercial real estate and hotel lending, in addition to continuing his role as head of the firm's Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy ("CPACE") lending program.
"Jared's promotion is a direct reflection of the momentum we're seeing across our credit platform," said Daniel Siegel, president and principal CRE at Peachtree. "Jared's leadership in CPACE and his broader origination experience make him the ideal choice to lead this next phase of growth."
Schlosser will work alongside Siegel, who joined Peachtree in 2022 to expand its credit platform and has since originated nearly $1.5 billion in commercial real estate loans.
"As Peachtree grows into a leading provider of private credit across commercial real estate, we're strengthening the team and centralizing our origination efforts to better serve sponsors across the capital stack," said Greg Friedman, managing principal and CEO of Peachtree. "Jared has consistently demonstrated strong leadership, and this expanded role positions him to help us scale our platform and deepen our impact across commercial real estate."
In 2024, Peachtree originated $1.6 billion in hotel and commercial real estate loans, ranking seventh among investor-driven lenders in the U.S., according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. The firm is on track to surpass $2.0 billion in originations in 2025.
"It's been incredibly rewarding to help build our lending platform during a pivotal time for the industry," Schlosser said. "I'm honored to take on this new role and look forward to working with our talented team as we continue to expand our reach, deliver creative capital solutions and build on the momentum we've created across asset classes."
