CPACE: An Affordable Solution for Mid-Construction Capital

Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) is an innovative financing program that is gaining popularity across the U.S., as it offers a low-cost, long-term capital solution that doesn't require upfront equity from the property owners. The central appeal for using this program for energy-efficient upgrades and retrofits is that any level of C-PACE used will lower the overall cost of capital compared to mezzanine, third-party equity or even many senior loans. This is impactful for commercial property developers.

In the current market, the cost of capital has increased significantly, along with higher interest rates and wider spreads from lenders. In addition, higher financing costs put pressure on loan-to-value (LTV), loan-to-cost (LTC) ratios, and the amount of capital lenders are willing to provide, reducing liquidity for new developments. Construction costs have also increased significantly with back-to-back years of double-digit increases, with further increases in 2023 as CBRE expects a growth of 5.4% for construction costs.

Low-Cost, Fixed-Rate Capital

C-PACE is in heavy demand because it's a fixed-rate product, starting in the mid-single digits. It also can be up to 35% of the capital stack. With a typical senior loan at 65% loan-to-value, providing C-PACE at 30% of the stack, the lender becomes below 40%, lessening its capital risk. As a result, it is helping development projects across all real estate sectors pencil to start construction and those in mid-construction reach get completed.

Mid-Construction Case Studies

Today we see more requests for this financing as budgets are blowing out with cost overruns. C-PACE provides the needed capital when the developer cannot offer additional equity or banks are unwilling. The following are examples of mid-construction projects that utilized C-PACE funding from Peachtree to bring projects across the finish line.

  • C-PACE for Cost Overruns. A developer faced roughly $2 million in cost overruns for a five-story, 58-key hotel in Florida that was 65% complete. Peachtree provided the developer $4.5 million in C-PACE financing with a 30-year term of 6.82%.C-PACE.
  • Can be Utilized Retroactively. One of the benefits of C-PACE for mid-construction projects is it can be used retroactively. Similar financing was utilized to construct a $32 million multifamily and retail project in Rehoboth, Delaware. Construction on the project began in January 2021 and was 40% completed. Peachtree provided the developer $4.8 million in C-PACE financing with a 25-year term at 7.25%. Most of the funds were used retroactively for the building envelope, HVAC, lighting, plumbing, elevator, seismic and other qualifying soft costs.

Learn More about C-PACE Financing

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Credit/CPACE
In The News
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Commercial Observer: Peachtree Closes $52M CPACE Loan for California Townhomes

$51.5MM CPACE (30-year term) loan in a 224-unit townhome development in the Vinedo Community of Paso Robles, CA.
Jared Schlosser of Peachtree Group and rendering The Reserve at Vindeo in Paso Robles, Calif.

$51.5MM CPACE (30-year term) loan in a 224-unit townhome development in the Vinedo Community of Paso Robles, CA. The Reserve is part of the 279-acre master-planned Vinedo community, which, at full build-out, will contain ~1,425 total homes. The CPACE loan will fund the building envelope, HVAC, lighting, solar PV, plumbing, seismic improvements, and qualifying soft costs as the eligible costs are incurred during the construction process.  The sponsor, Adam Tancredi comes from a 70-year-old family legacy of homebuilding and has over 17 years in the real estate development industry with an emphasis on both residential and commercial developments.

Read full article on commercialobserver.com

Credit/CPACE
Press Release
5 min read

Peachtree Group Surpasses $1.0 Billion in CPACE Financing

Peachtree Group has reached a significant milestone in Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (CPACE) financing, surpassing the $1.0 billion mark.
Title Image explaining Peachtree Group Surpasses $1 Billion in CPACE Financing

ATLANTA (Dec. 9, 2024) – Peachtree Group (“Peachtree”) has reached a significant milestone in Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (CPACE) financing, surpassing the $1.0 billion mark—a distinction shared by only a select few companies in the industry. In 2024 alone, Peachtree completed 22 CPACE transactions across the U.S., surpassing its previous record for CPACE originations.

"In 2019, we launched CPACE, and today we've surpassed our first billion—a testament to the exceptional team and the strength of Peachtree’s vision,” said Jared Schlosser, Peachtree’s Executive Vice President of Hotel Lending and Head of CPACE. “Our strong foundation has not only fueled Peachtree’s success in CPACE financing but also solidified its position as a leader in the broader commercial real estate lending market.”

In the most recent loan origination rankings by the Mortgage Bankers Association, Peachtree was ranked as the seventh-largest commercial real estate investor-driven lender in the U.S.

Quote Card that says "Our strong foundation has not only fueled Peachtree's success in CPACE financing but also solidified its position as a leader in the broader commercial real estate lending market" quoted by Jared Schlosser EVP of Hotel Lending and Head of CPACE

The firm’s $1.0 billion in CPACE financing is rooted in hospitality, which remains its largest segment comprising approximately 45% of its total. However, Peachtree has successfully expanded into other sectors, particularly residential communities (including multifamily, student housing and senior living), which now represent 22% of the portfolio or $220 million. Additionally, the firm has executed numerous CPACE transactions across industrial, mixed-use and office sectors, showcasing its versatility.

“In this challenging lending market, CPACE financing has emerged as a crucial source of liquidity for all commercial real estate sectors. This financing option is becoming increasingly essential as owners grapple with looming debt maturities and limited refinancing opportunities,” Schlosser said.

Commercial real estate remains in a turbulent period with trillions of dollars in debt maturing and refinancing becoming increasingly difficult due to tighter lending standards from traditional lenders. These challenges are reshaping the industry and forcing property owners to seek alternative financing solutions.

“CPACE has been a game-changer, offering long-term fixed-rate financing that lowers the cost of capital while enabling property owners to pursue energy-efficient upgrades with reduced financial strain,” Schlosser said. “Peachtree is proud to lead the way in expanding access to this innovative solution, helping owners across all commercial real estate sectors.”

In just over a decade, CPACE has reached a cumulative $7.2 billion in U.S. commercial real estate financings, according to PACE Nation, confirming the growing market adoption and acceptance of this financing tool.

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.

Credit/CPACE
In The News
5 min read

On the Edge Podcast: Creative Financing Using CPACE Lending

Peachtree EVP Jared Schlosser sat down with Malcom Davies, host of the On the Edge podcast to discuss how sponsors can utilize CPACE for everything from leveraging development capital stacks to retroactively recapitalizing projects and even as a source of rescue capital.

In today's financial environment, sponsors are looking for creative ways to capitalize deals. One such way is CPACE financing.

Peachtree EVP Hotel and CPACE Jared Schlosser sat down with Malcom Davies, host of the On the Edge podcast to discuss how sponsors can utilize CPACE for everything from leveraging development capital stacks to retroactively recapitalizing projects and even as a source of rescue capital.

Episode 3 | Creative Financing Using CPACE Lending with Jared Schlosser of Peachtree Group

In this episode, gain a greater understanding of:

For more information on CPACE, visit our CPACE FAQs.