This article is republished with permission from Commercial Observer
Commercial Observer (February 4, 2025) - Starlife Group has secured $35 million of construction financing to build a multifamily development in Hollywood, Fla.,Commercial Observer can first report.
Peachtree Group originated the fixed-rate Commercial Property Assessment Clean Energy (C-PACE) loan on the developer’s planned 200-unit 21 Hollywood project.
SF Capital Group’s Matt Shane arranged the transaction, which will be used to support the 13-story project’s energy efficiency, envelope enhancements and hurricane resiliency measures.
Jared Schlosser, Peachtree Group’s senior vice president, said the long-term structure of the deal was an ideal approach for the project amid a high interest rate climate, with Peachtree covering 40 percent of the cost and Starlife Group contributing 60 percent equity. The 30-year loan is non recourse outside of a completion guarantee, according to Schlosser.
“We handled theconstruction draws just like you would on a senior construction loan and wewere even able to fund a little bit of capital at close for the project to getstarted, so it ends up being a pretty accretive alternative compared to justtaking a low-leverage bank loan,” Schlosser told CO.
“It acts like an insurance product where it’s a construction-to-perm deal, but it doesn’t have the traditional rights and remedies and recourse that may come along with traditional long-term financing,” Schlosser added. “Here it’s just a straight annual payment, which is easier to navigate for the borrower.”
Located at 2100 N.Federal Highway, the 21 Hollywood project broke ground late last year and is slated for completion in February 2027. Community amenities will include an infinity pool, a fitness center, outdoor kitchens, co working space and a dog park. The property will also feature 9,997 square feet of ground-floor retail.
Fort Lauderdale-based Starlife purchased the 1.48-acre site across from South Broward High School for $6.5 million in 2023, according to the South Florida Business Journal. The development was designed by Kobi Karp Architecture.
“Conventional construction loans are hard to find these days,” Shane said. “There was significant equity brought into the project, so it made the deal easy to do with PACE.”
Officials at Starlife Group did not immediately return a request for comment.
Peachtree CEO Greg Friedman was quoted in this recent CoStar Group article by Sean McCracken talking about the lending environment for hotels in 2024 and the opportunities for investor, operator, lenders like Peachtree Group.
"Most traditional lenders aren't lending," said Friedman. "Forty percent of the debt market is traditionally made up of regional banks, community banks, national banks, and it's been in the press that banks are under pressure. So 40% of the market is struggling, the CMBS market makes up close to 25% to 30% of lending to hotels and that market is well under pressure, as well."But he said what is left of the market is attracted to hotels due to "really good asset-level performance."
Lending Conditions Likely More Certain for Hotels in 2024 (costar.com)