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Moxy Boulder, a new hotel on University Hill in Boulder, Colorado, is now open. It is the first hotel to open in Boulder since 2018. The hotel was developed by Vision Hospitality Group, led by Mitch Patel as president and CEO, The Nichols Partnership, led by President and Founder Randy Nichols, and BMC Investments, led by Jarret Posner as chairman and founding partner. "We are thrilled to collaborate with The Nichols Partnership and BMC Investments on this project in this sought-after location and continue our longstanding partnership with Marriott," said Patel. "We look forward to introducing this unique experience to the Boulder community." Moxy Boulder has 189 rooms, 5,300 square feet of indoor and outdoor space and a fitness center. Marriott International's Moxy Hotels brand operates more than 125 properties in 25 countries.

Peachtree Group recently acquired the 180-room Hilton Garden Inn Denver Tech Center in Denver, marking its second hotel in Denver after the Element Denver Park Meadows. The company's hospitality management team will oversee the seven-story hotel located in the city's employment hub, Peachtree said in a statement. However, the financial terms of the transactions were not disclosed. "We are excited to acquire this premium-branded hotel in a growing submarket with a variety of diverse and stable demand generators," said Michael Bernath, Peachtree's senior vice president for acquisitions. "The Denver economy is well diversified, with the city gaining recognition as a burgeoning tech hub. We believe the expansion of the R-Line, increased connectivity of the area and the completion of the transformative Bellview Station development will continue to make the Denver Tech Center an attractive destination for consumers and corporations alike." Peachtree aims to further invest in the property, which was previously renovated in 2014, the statement said. The hotel is near the under-development Bellview Station, a transit-oriented mixed-use development spanning more than 50 acres. There are companies including Comcast, Oracle, Microsoft, Zoom, Charles Schwab, Fidelity Investments, Newmont Mining, and Western Union in the vicinity.

HIHOTELS BY HOSPITALITY International, a leader in franchising of conversion and new-build hotels for economy lodging, has opened four properties including Scottish Inns in Austin, Forest Hill and Hankamer, Texas and a Passport Inn in Paradise, Pennsylvania. These properties are owned by Dinesh Patel, Anu Investment Corp., Priteshkumar "Pat" Bhakta and Saraswati Group, Inc., respectively. The Scottish Inns & Suites in Austin is a former Rodeway Inn and is owned by Dinesh Patel. The 35-room hotel is located in downtown Austin just off Interstate 35 and East Highway 290. It is near the 6th St. Entertainment District and the University of Texas campus, and is near the Austin Zoo and Austin Convention Center, hihotels said in a statement. The Scottish Inns hotel in Forest Hill, Texas, a 46-room new construction, is owned by Anu Investment Corp. The property is located along Mansfield Highway, just a half mile from I-20 and 10 miles from downtown Fort Worth.

PEACHTREE GROUP, A commercial real estate investment firm with a $6.4 billion portfolio, has secured approximately $660 million in credit investments since Dec. 1, with an additional $350 million expected to close within the next 30 to 45 days. These investments focus on hotels, multifamily, industrial, and student housing, Peachtree said in a statement. "We are witnessing heightened activity in response to the anticipation of sustained elevated interest rates and continued reductions in bank exposure," said Greg Friedman, Peachtree Group's managing principal/CEO. "The pressing need to refinance maturing debt, estimated at $2.8 trillion in U.S. commercial real estate debt by the end of 2028, is a growing concern. Commercial real estate stakeholders are grappling with the challenges of increased capital costs and constrained liquidity, particularly in securing capital for acquisitions, recapitalizations and development initiatives." Peachtree recently closed one of its largest individual credit transactions to date, securing a $102.9 million, three-year loan to recapitalize a 350-room Marriott dual-brand AC Hotel Sunnyvale Moffett Park and TETRA Hotel, Autograph Collection in Sunnyvale, California, the statement added.

NAVIKA GROUP OF Companies and Blue Sky Hospitality Solutions have acquired the Andaz Wall Street hotel, now known as the Hyatt Centric Wall Street New York. The 253-room hotel's guestrooms and lobby were recently redesigned, but Navika plans to invest approximately $5 million in the property over the next several years. Real estate company Navika Group and Blue Sky management company both are led by Naveen Shah as president and CEO. Also, Haridas Kotahwala is chairman at Navika Group. The Hyatt Centric Wall Street is expected to reopen Jan. 26, according to Blue Sky. "The competitive advantages provided by Hyatt Centric Wall Street New York, our first hotel in New York City, make it an ideal addition to our current portfolio of 53 owned and operated hotels throughout the U.S.," said Ernie Catanzaro, executive vice president with oversight of the management team, BSHS. "The hotel has some of the larger rooms in New York City, ranging in size from 345 to 1,500 square feet, as well as an unmatchable location and address. Our planned multimillion-dollar renovation will reinforce the hotel among the most desirable locations in New York City."

HOTEL INVESTMENT GROUP has purchased the property in San Marcos, California, on which they will build a Home2 Suites by Hilton. The San Diego-based company is led by Darshan Patel as CEO. Construction on the 110-room Home2 Suites is slated to begin in summer 2022 at the 1.66-acre property and is estimated to be complete by late 2023. It will be pet-friendly with a pool, fitness center and ?? square feet of meeting rooms. "The hospitality industry is finally starting to rebound from the challenges of the last two years, putting us in a prime position to continue expanding HIG's portfolio," Patel said. "Bringing a Home2 Suites to San Marcos will provide a much-needed extended-stay hotel option for the medical community at Palomar Hospital and for customers visiting the area's premier golf courses and nearby LEGOLAND California."

Tara Investments of Charlotte, North Carolina, recently sold its Hyatt Place in downtown Greenville, South Carolina. The deal was brokered by Hunter Hotel Advisors and Apple Hospitality REIT bought the property. Mayank Patel, Hunter's senior vice president, oversaw the sale. Tara Investment is led by Anish Patel as managing partner. "We are very happy to announce the consummation of this transaction for our client," Mayank said. "The Hyatt Place is another example of Tara's premium grade developments, strategically located in Greenville's captivating downtown allowing the hotel to take advantage of strong business and leisure demand," Apple Hospitality bought the 130-room hotel in a continued effort to add newer vintage, high RevPAR assets to their select-service portfolio.

DALLAS-BASED NEWCRESTIMAGE formed a joint venture with Dabu Hotels, and Countrywide Hospitality to acquire the 130-room Best Western Plus at Lake Powell in Page, Arizona, operated by Terrapin Hospitality, a statement said. The company said that the Arizona property is located in a leisure destination area that is visited by more than 4.5 million visitors. Nearby attractions are the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Monument Valley, Glen Canyon Dam, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend, the statement added. "This hotel is a key stop for travelers who are making the 'grand circle' tour of western national parks such as Zion Park and Bryce National Park," said Mehul Patel, managing partner and CEO of NewcrestImage. "We are always looking to acquire well-positioned properties such as this one, and we are excited to partner with strong investment partners like Dabu Hotels and Countrywide Hospitality."

INTEGRITY INTERNATIONAL GROUP, led by Tony Matharu, has acquired two properties in London: Atlas House and Crescent buildings. Atlas House, a Grade II-listed building, is situated at the junction of King Street, Queen Street, and Cheapside, while the Crescent is located adjacent to Tower Suites by Blue Orchid Hotels. Both Atlas House and the Crescent will join the Blue Orchid Hospitality brand, part of Integrity, Integrity said in a statement. Meanwhile, the company recently restructured its Garage Hotels Group, the statement said. "The recent acquisition of Atlas House and the Crescent portfolio demonstrates our continued commitment to invest in and breathe new life into London property, particularly those buildings at the end of their previous lives, ensuring that London remains the best place to live, work, visit, and invest," Matharu said. "The team at Integrity International Group has unrivalled expertise in ac

THE AMERICAN HOTEL & Lodging Association has launched Responsible Stay, an industry initiative to make meetings, events and guest experiences in U.S. hotels more environmentally and socially responsible. AHLA contends that the initiative is meant to unite major hotel companies, including at least two Asian American-owned companies, around sustainability priorities. Responsible Stay is focused on four areas: Energy efficiency: Optimizing energy efficiency through operational improvements and adoption of clean energy technologies Waste reduction: Investing in waste reduction programs and new, innovative alternatives to reduce, reuse and recycle waste across properties Water conservation: Ensuring the reduction of water usage by implementing water-efficient practices in core areas like laundry, food and beverage, and landscaping Responsible sourcing practices: Sourcing responsibly and prioritizing sustainability in supply chains to prevent harmful environmental and social impacts Under the initiative, AHLA and its members will strengthen environmental programs, education and resources to provide a "responsible stay" for guests, protect the future of the planet and support communities across the country, the statement added.

DHRUV MANAGEMENT IS to construct a HomeTowne Studios by Red Roof in Tampa, Florida, as well as a new HomeTowne Studios in Bradenton, Florida, with its affiliate Dhruv Development. Dhruv Management is led by Vijay Patel and Dhruv Development is led by Amit Patel. Dhruv Management owns and operates two Red Roof hotels in Alabama and Florida and has four more properties in various stages of development through Dhruv Development. "We are excited to partner with Red Roof on our latest extended-stay hotels with the HomeTowne Studios in Tampa and Bradenton," said Amit Patel. "Red Roof is not just a franchisor; they are heavily invested in any franchisee partnership from the moment they sign a deal. Their assistance has been invaluable, from securing approvals to moving dirt. Thanks to Red Roof's continued commitment to hospitality fundamentals, we are confident in the future of this hotel."

SATORI COLLECTIVE, A real estate investment management firm specializing in hotel properties, sold the 124-suite Holiday Inn Express & Suites at Alpharetta-Windward Parkway to Bukhari Group Hospitality. The sale resulted in an approximate 24 percent internal rate of return and a double equity multiple for the company, Satori said in a statement. Satori Collective is led by Andy Chopra as co-founder and managing partner. Bukhari Group Hospitality is led by Syed Bukhari, while his son Mehboob Bukhari is in charge of the hotel operations. "We acquired this all-suite property in 2013 and promptly executed a thorough, multi-million dollar value-add renovation, repositioning it as a Holiday Inn Express & Suites by IHG," said Samir Yajnik, CIO of Satori Collective. "Over the past decade, we stayed true to our vision and were rewarded by unlocking the hotel's financial potential. Our initial underwriting and research proved accurate, as evidenced by the realized upside from enhanced brand quality and the hotel's unparalleled location in the thriving Alpharetta market."

Mit Shah today is CEO of Atlanta-based Noble Investment Group, a multi-million dollar company founded in his lifetime of experience growing up in the hotel business. It's a story he shares with many Indian American hoteliers, but he said it's a story that bears repeating, a story of the American dream. Shah retells his story here for Asian Hospitality's Leadership Series, the first episode for 2024. Along with his family history, he also discussed Nobel's investment practices, the economy in general and lessons learned from hosting interviews with industry leaders for the Bharat Shah Leadership Speaker Series, named after his father, at the Hunter Hotel Conference in Atlanta. "My parents were immigrants to the United States. In the 1960s they came here for a better life and education. As they were doing that, they had friends that found themselves in this industry and buying small properties throughout the country," Shah said, adding that his parents bought their first hotel, the Winkler Motor Inn in Winston Salem, North Carolina in 1979. "I was 10 years old at the time, my younger brother was six years old at the time and that was the family business, a very common story that we hear throughout our industry. It's an important story to continue to tell because it's deeply rooted in the American dream."

The Extended Stay America Suites in Baytown, Texas, owned by Wayside Investment Group led by Miraj Patel as president, has reopened following renovations. Work done on the three-story, 82-room property included upgrades to guestrooms, public spaces, a refinished exterior, and new signage, with the aim of providing more current amenities and services to long-term guests, Wayside said in a statement. "We are thrilled to partner with Extended Stay America for the reopening of our Baytown property, replicating the current prototype in a comprehensive renovation that highlights our commitment to enhancing guest experiences and adding value through asset repositioning," said Patel. The property is near Space Center Houston, Pirates Bay Waterpark, Baytown Nature Center and The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Wayside said.

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT, development and management firm VMV Capital recently broke ground on the Extended Stay America Premier Suites Duncan in Duncan, South Carolina. It is the first such property for VMV, led by Vinny Patel as CEO. The four-story, 88-room hotel is in Spartanburg County between Greenville and Spartanburg near many businesses, including BMW, Michelin, and Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, according to VMV. Other attractions include the Trapped in the Upstate Escape Rooms, Greer Heritage Museum and several parks. Construction is under way and the hotel is expected to open in summer 2023. Hotel amenities will include a fitness room and an onsite guest laundry.

NEWCRESTIMAGE RECENTLY ACQUIRED the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Dallas Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. It is the most recent acquisition for the Dallas-based investment firm led by Mehul Patel as managing partner and CEO, and the company plans to fully renovate the property, which opened in 1998 and was last renovated in 2014. The 3-floor, 135-suite property offers three types of guestroom: studio, one-bedroom, and two bedroom, according to NewcrestImage. It is near two major airports, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Love Field, and two major convention centers, the Irving Convention Center and the Gaylord Texan Convention Center. Amenities at the hotel include a fitness center and an outdoor pool. "This extended-stay property is in the heart of a high-traffic corridor that's a popular destination for both corporate and leisure travelers," Patel said. The acquisition of the TownePlace Suites is important to Marriott, said Loren Nalewanski, the company's vice president franchising for the Element, Residence Inn, Fairfield, TownePlace and SpringHill Suites brands. "Our industry is built on strong partnerships between brands and owners," Nalewanski said. "This acquisition enhances the long, valued, and successful partnership between Marriott and NewcrestImage, which has owned and operated 30 Marriott-branded properties since 2013."

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE direct lender and Peachtree Group affiliate, Stonehill, completed $1.2 billion in investments in 2022. Most were through loan originations and commercial property assessed clean energy financing primarily in the hospitality and retail sectors, a statement said. The investment includes $813 million in loans and $163 million as CPACE financing and the remaining $269 million was distributed across the industrial, land, mixed-use, multifamily, office and senior living real estate sectors, the company said. Stonehill said that its 2023 target is $1.5 billion and expects to invest $300 million in the first quarter. "Economic volatility coupled with uncertainty surrounding interest rates has severely decreased overall financing availability with capital providers. However, Stonehill not requiring capital markets execution has allowed it to remain active and to fill the gap in lending supply," said Mat Crosswy, Stonehill president and principal. In May 2022, Stonehill formed Stonehill CRE with Daniel Siegel as president to expand its commercial lending business. It focuses on heavy transitional assets and sectors of the credit market that are traditionally undersupplied. "We have spent years working on our capital formation, specifically so that we can be active and grab market share during periods of economic uncertainty. Also, by building our CPACE division in 2019, which completed $235 million in CPACE financing for the year, and now with Stonehill CRE, we are better positioned to provide lending solutions to a multitude of the market's current inefficiencies," said Crosswy.

STONEBRIDGE COS. JUST acquired five properties, totaling a 1,200-key portfolio across the U.S. in late November. The Denver-based hotel operator plans to execute capital improvements at each property, with three having undergone recent renovations. With a current nationwide portfolio of more than 14,000 rooms, the company is actively pursuing additional expansion opportunities, Stonebridge said in a statement.

Denise Kauble is now director of asset management for Noble Investment Group. Also, Melissa Blankson is the new real estate paralegal for the Atlanta-based company, led by Mit Shah as CEO. Kauble previously was regional director of sales and marketing and area general manager for McKibbon Hospitality where she oversaw sales for the East Coast. In her new role, she will be responsible for working with third-party management organizations and on-property leadership of Noble-owned assets. "Denise's experience and industry knowledge complement Noble's abilities to maximize revenues and drive performance in our hotels," said Noble principal Steven Nicholas. Blankson previously worked for Cox Enterprises. She has more than sixteen years of legal, risk analysis, and credit underwriting experience in the commercial real estate industry. Blankson will be Noble's liaison with external counsel on various legal and transactional matters. "Melissa is an outstanding addition to our capital markets and investment management team," said Noble principal Adi Bhoopathy. "Her wealth of knowledge and experience will help to enhance Noble's endeavors to preserve and grow our limited partners' capital."

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT firm Hersha Hospitality Trust will sell seven of its select service properties outside New York for $505 million, or approximately $360,000 per key, according to a statement. Proceeds will go to cover some of the company's debt and provide liquidity. The properties in the deal are the Hotel Courtyard Brookline, Hampton Inn - Philadelphia, Hilton Garden Inn M Street, Hampton Inn - Washington, Courtyard Sunnyvale, Courtyard Los Angeles Westside and TownePlace Suites Sunnyvale. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2022 subject to customary closing conditions, the statement added. The revenue from the sale reduce debt of approximately $460 to $480 million, and around $390 to $410 million of Hersha's corporate debt. The company also wants to reduce mortgage debt by approximately $75 million. The company also wants to reduce mortgage debt by approximately $75 million.