our clients
CASE STUDIES
Courtyard by Marriott Aurora, CO
Challenge
The new construction 140-room Courtyard by Marriott is strategically positioned to take advantage of the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center in Aurora, which opened in late 2018. Although the Gaylord will offer 1,500 guest rooms and 485,000 square feet of flexible meeting, convention, outdoor, exhibit and function space, the owner saw a strong need for offsite hotels located close by. In addition, the Denver metro area has been growing due to is pro-business environment and solid industry growth in bioscience, aerospace/defense, and renewable energy sectors. The property will benefit from close proximity to the Anschutz Medical Campus, the Fitzsimons Life Science District, Buckley Air Force Base, and the largest national solar energy research park.
Solution
The owner selected Access Point Financial (APF) for the development of the hotel because of its previous relationship funding some of the owner’s other projects. Given APF’s deep understanding of the Borrower’s needs and their prior experience with the owner and the proposed brand, APF was able to structure a unique solution to supply the debt in order to meet the owner’s needs.
Results
Because of APF’s ability to provide the required financing for the project, the 140-room Courtyard by Marriott is slated to open in the Denver metro area late spring 2020. This will give the owners the ability to take advantage of its proximity to the Denver International Airport, Gaylord Resort and Convention Center and the Anschutz Medical Campus.
Hyatt Place & Home2 Suites by Hilton Palm Bay
Challenge
The Hyatt Place and Home2 Suites by Hilton are part of a larger mixed-use development that will include two restaurants and three retail buildings within the Palm Bay Executive Park in Palm Bay, Florida. The owner of the site recognized the need for a mixed-use development, including the hotels, as Palm Bay is an area that has experienced growth in tourism, employment and population in recent years. Palm Bay is part of a large and complex area of barrier islands, beach and coastal communities comprising what is known as the Space Coast. The Space Coast is located 45 minutes from Orlando, with notable companies including Lockheed Martin, SpaceX and NASA.
Solution
The owner selected Access Point Financial (APF) for the development of the hotels because its staunch reputation in the industry, as well as the flexible terms offered and ability to close quickly, giving the borrower added certainty that the deal would be executed according to its requirements.
Results
Because of APF’s ability to provide the required financing for the project, the 106-room Hyatt Place and 87-room Home2 Suites by Hilton are slated to open in the Palm Bay Executive Park late spring 2020. This will give the owners the ability to take advantage of what is expected to be a strong summer season.
Holiday Inn Evanston
Challenge
Located close to the Central Business District of Chicago, the 159-room, 12-story hotel was built in 1974 to serve as a full-service Holiday Inn. It was then converted to a Best Western, and operated as such until 2015, at which time it was closed for renovations to convert back to a full-service Holiday Inn. Knowing the hotel’s location was in close proximity to the Central Business District of Chicago as well as Northwestern University, the owner recognized an opportunity to convert the Best Western to a Holiday Inn allowing it to better compete in the market. The owner sought financing to convert the hotel and to complete required renovations outlined in IHG’s property improvement plan (PIP).
Solution
The owner turned to Access Point Financial (APF) to assist with funding because of the company’s knowledge and experience in the industry, as well as, a long-established relationship with its Principals. APF provided an FF&E loan for the funds needed to complete the renovation and conversion of the project. FF&E financing can be used to help fund up to 100% of cost for the acquisition of FF&E for the development of new hotel properties or the refurbishment or conversion of existing properties to include soft cost and construction related items. APF was able to structure financing within a few short weeks of application allowing the owner to quickly begin renovations to convert and stabilize the property.
Results
The 159-room full-service Holiday Inn completed renovations in 2016 with facilities and amenities including, a sundry shop, business center, fitness center, outdoor swimming pool, guest self-service laundry facility, 165-seat University Plaza Café, approximately 6,578 square feet of meeting space, and 180± garage parking spaces. The hotel enjoys a prime spot along Chicago’s North Shore, just four blocks away from Lake Michigan and Northwestern University and close to downtown Chicago sightseeing, tours, museums, restaurants and shopping.
Elyton Hotel, Marriott Autograph Collection
Challenge
The Empire Building, what is now be The Elyton Hotel, Autograph Collection, was once part of a four-building site dubbed the “Heaviest Corner on Earth”. In the early 1900’s, this corner consisted of the four tallest buildings in the South and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. A bank operated a branch on the ground floor of this former office building until it became vacant when the bank moved out in 2009. The owner purchased the property in 2012 with the intent of redeveloping it as a boutique hotel and sought financing to complete the required renovations to convert the building to a Marriott Autograph Collection brand.
Solution
The owner turned to Access Point Financial (APF) because of a long established 10-year relationship with its Principals. APF was able to provide financing to convert the property into a Marriott Autograph Collection. Given APF’s understanding of the Borrower’s needs and their prior experience with the owner and the brand, APF was able to structure a unique solution to supply debt to meet the owner’s objectives to quickly begin renovations, and stabilize the property.
Results
The Elyton Hotel, Autograph Collection is located in the heart of downtown Birmingham’s financial district and opened in the Summer of 2017. Although the Empire Building has been a historic symbol of the South, the new Elyton Hotel, Autograph Collection will restore its historic presence while creating its own new modern identity. The hotel will feature 117 rooms, a gym, lounge, meeting space, restaurant operated by a local award-winning chef, a speakeasy club and a rooftop bar.
The Partridge Inn
Challenge
The Partridge Inn is an iconic landmark hotel that dates from the early 1800’s, when it was a modest two-story private residence. Over the years between 1907 and 1929, the inn expanded several times. After the Great Depression, the asset became a year-round commercial hotel and subsequently an apartment house. The building fell into disrepair after World War II, barely escaping demolition in the 1980’s. Local citizens saved the hotel, thus preserving one of the rich historic legacies of Augusta’s “Hill” section. Located on a pristine hilltop setting in the Summerville district, the Partridge Inn has played host to some of the most notable celebrities and dignitaries of its time. As the closest hotel to the famed Augusta National Golf course, host of the Masters Tournament, “PI” as the locals call it, is “the place to be seen”. In 2015, the owner sought financing to complete the required renovations to convert the building to a Curio Collection by Hilton brand.
Solution
The owner turned to Access Point Financial (APF) because of a long-established relationship with its Principals. APF was able to provide financing to convert the property to a Curio Collection by Hilton. Given APF’s deep understanding of the Borrower’s needs and their prior experience with the owner and the proposed brand, APF was able to structure a unique solution to supply the debt in order to meet the owner’s objectives to quickly begin renovations.
Results
APF provided an interest only bridge loan that allowed the owner to renovate and stabilize the property until which time permanent, long-term financing could be sourced. The Partridge Inn underwent renovations that recaptured the former ambiance and history of this stately, timeless Southern hotel. The Partridge Inn was awarded the Historic Augusta Preservation Award for its updates to the hotel and is a member of the Historic Hotels of America. The hotel features 144 rooms, a fitness center, pool, more than 10,000 square feet of meeting space, restaurant and a rooftop bar.