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PEACHTREE GROUP RECENTLY signed a long-term agreement with Southfield, Michigan-based Group 10 Management, adding 14 hotels and 1,648 rooms to its managed portfolio. This expansion brings Peachtree's total managed properties to more than 100, primarily Marriott, Hilton, and IHG-branded hotels in the metro Detroit area, Peachtree said in a statement. Peachtree is led by CEO and managing principal Greg Friedman, CFO and managing principal Jatin Desai, and principal Mitul Patel. "Our extensive experience in hotel operations allows us to partner with Group 10 to elevate third-party management," said Vickie Callahan, president of Peachtree's hospitality management division. "A substantial portion of Peachtree Group's portfolio is third-party managed, underscoring our commitment to delivering strong financial results for our partners and exceptional guest experiences." Peachtree's hospitality management division operates limited-, select-, and full-service hotels, primarily in the upper-midscale and upscale segments, the statement said. The division now manages 107 hotels across 27 brands, totaling 13,485 rooms in 27 states, including Washington, D.C. With the Group 10 addition, Peachtree's third-party management portfolio expands to 31 hotels.

THE MANAGING PRINCIPALS of Atlanta-based Peachtree Hotel Group are forming a new company, Peachtree Group, to oversee its investment portfolio. Peachtree's hospitality division includes Peachtree Hotel Group, Peachtree Hospitality Management and Peachtree Hospitality Development. The new company will manage and control investments and direct investment strategies across different divisions, including hospitality, commercial lending, residential development and capital markets, the company said in a statement. The company is expanding in those areas, said Greg Friedman, Peachtree's CEO and managing principal. "The expanded breadth of investment types we are undertaking warranted the formation of Peachtree Group without hotel in the moniker," Friedman said. "This transformative structure provides a significant opportunity to unlock the full potential of our integrated real estate investment platform that has served us well in the hospitality sector to expand into other real estate sectors and businesses.

PEACHTREE HOTEL GROUP and its affiliates, Peachtree PC Investors for capital markets and Peachtree Hospitality Management, made four changes at the senior leadership level recently. The promotions are intended to support the company's real estate investment platform and operation services, according to a statement. The Atlanta-based company, led by Jatin Desai and Mitul Patel as managing principals, promoted Greg Zabinski as executive vice president, capital markets for Peachtree PC Investors. Vivian Clarke is now senior vice president for people and culture. Steve MacKenzie was promoted to senior vice president over operations for Peachtree Hospitality Management, and Michael Ritz is now senior vice president for investments. "The success Peachtree is experiencing is creating significant opportunities for us in the talent space," said Greg Friedman, Peachtree's CEO. "These promotions support our strategic growth objectives, and we expect to have additional promotions and appointments as we further scale up our operations."

Melissa Ross Smith is now chief operating officer for Peachtree Group. She will be responsible for the overall performance, strategy and organizational development of Peachtree and its operating businesses. Before joining Peachtree, Smith held several high-level positions at organizations. Most recently, Smith was managing director of OS National, where she managed more than 250 professionals and was responsible for evaluating performance management systems and devising improvements to strengthen controls and optimize results, Peachtree said in a statement. "As Peachtree continues to evolve, improving our foundational processes is imperative to the future growth of our business," said Greg Friedman, managing principal and CEO of Peachtree Group. "Melissa is an excellent complement to our team as she has an exceptional blend of leadership, vision and execution needed to be Peachtree's COO." Smith will report to Friedman, and will be a key executive team member, Peachtree's statement said. Peachtree Group is led by Jatin Desai and Mitul Patel as managing principals. "I am deeply impressed by Peachtree's success," Smith said. "Not only am I excited about the future opportunities, knowing that I can help execute and bring operational excellence across all segments, but I am also pleased to be joining an executive team representing some of the best people in commercial real estate."

PEACHTREE HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT entered into a long-term contract with Savannah, Georgia-based HOS Management to operate nine hotels. The hotels are primarily in the Southeast and are Marriott, Hilton and IHG branded. PHM will manage hotel operations in compliance with hotel brand standards, scalable operating efficiencies, digital and market initiatives and other cost saving across the portfolio, according to Peachtree. PHM is part of Atlanta-based Peachtree Group, led by Jatin Desai and Mitul Patel as managing principals. "We have a wealth of experience managing hotels and providing best-in-class operations for our valued partners like HOS Management, who have entrusted us with their hotel operations," said Patrick Short, PHM president. "With 25 percent of our portfolio third-party managed, we are committed to protecting the assets value and driving bottom lines results for our partners while providing an outstanding experience for our hotel guests."

Brent LeBlanc is the new executive vice president of business development at Peachtree Group. In this role, LeBlanc will focus on growing the company's vertically integrated investment platforms by fostering business development and collaborating with investment teams to capture new opportunities. LeBlanc joined Peachtree in 2012 to lead a growth strategy, expanding the company's footprint in the western U.S. and strengthening relationships with premium hotel brands like Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG. During that time, he participated in more than $4 billion in real estate transactions across the enterprise, the statement said. Before joining Peachtree, LeBlanc held roles as vice president of franchise development at both Starwood Hotels & Resorts and La Quinta Inn & Suites. He has launched hotel brands and completed complex transactions with major U.S. hotel operators and developers, Peachtree said in a statement. Peachtree is led by CEO and managing principal Greg Friedman, CFO and managing principal Jatin Desai, and principal Mitul Patel.

PEACHTREE GROUP RECENTLY introduced new branding, logo and tagline, "Guided by Intuition, Grounded by Expertise." The branding update aims to project the company's integrated investment strategies and service platforms. This change consolidates the company's varied brand portfolio, renaming Stonehill as Peachtree Group Credit and Peachtree Hospitality Management as Peachtree Group Hospitality Management, the company said in a statement. "The new branding has given us a competitive edge in attracting top-tier talent, ensuring a consistent influx of the best minds and skills to navigate an ever-changing business landscape," said Greg Friedman, CEO and managing principal of Peachtree Group. "Moreover, our strategic branding approach, aimed at consolidating our diverse range of businesses, is poised to unleash even greater untapped potential within our investment platform. This platform, already proven in its value in the hospitality sector, has played a pivotal role in our expansion and diversification into other real estate sectors and ventures."

Michael Harper is promoted to president of Hotel Lending at Peachtree Group, overseeing the company's entire hotel credit platform and guiding all aspects of the credit business. Similarly, Jared Schlosser rises to executive vice president of hotel lending and head of CPACE, while Michael Ritz is promoted to executive vice president of investments, Peachtree Group said in a statement. "These appointments underscore Peachtree's commitment to its core growth initiatives in hotel lending, as well as fostering talent from within our own ranks, with an eye toward further diversifying its allocation strategies as it taps into new investment opportunities," said Greg Friedman, Peachtree's CEO and managing principal. Since joining Peachtree in 2014, Harper has held a series of leadership positions, overseeing the company's credit business with a focus on loan originations and strategic acquisition of credit portfolios, Peachtree said. He has guided the team through over 500 investments totaling more than $6 billion.

PEACHTREE GROUP, THE newly formed affiliate of Peachtree Hotel Group created last week to handle its real estate investments, is launching its first initiative, the 1031 Exchange Delaware Statutory Trust program. The company also selected Tim Witt as president over the new program. A DST is a single-purpose entity qualified for Section 1031 real estate exchanges, according to Peachtree. It allows investors to exchange replacement properties without incurring taxable gain on the sale of previously owned assets. Peachtree's 1031 Exchange DST program will invest in institutional-grade hotels in the U.S. through Peachtree Hospitality Management, another division of Peachtree, is expected to operate any properties acquired as part of the exchange. "As we expand our array of high-quality, diversified investment strategies, we wanted to create 1031 Exchange DSTs to provide tax deferral strategies in the hospitality sector," said Greg Friedman, Peachtree's CEO and managing principal. "We anticipate significant growth and appreciation in the hospitality sector, driving values above pre-pandemic levels. Also, real estate offers an excellent alternative investment channel for those seeking an inflation hedge. We strongly believe hospitality is the most investable asset in the market today, and we anticipate being able to achieve outsized returns."

PEACHTREE HOTEL GROUP added seven hotels to its portfolio this week for $135 million. Three of the hotels also are part of Peachtree's third investment partnerships with San Mateo, California-based Verakin Capital led by partners Rupesh and Bimal Patel and Hiten Suraj. The new acquisitions include 829 rooms and are in five different states, according to Peachtree and its management division Peachtree Hospitality Management, which will operate all seven hotels. The new hotels are: The dual-brand Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Tempe, University Research Park, 120 rooms, and Home2 Suites by Hilton Phoenix Tempe, University Research Park, 108 rooms, in Tempe, Arizona, which were built in 2017. Aloft Hillsboro-Beaverton in Hillsboro, Oregon, 137 rooms, built in 2017. Hilton Garden Inn Casper, 121 rooms in Casper, Wyoming, built in 2008. Home2 Suites by Hilton Eugene Downtown University Area, in Eugene, Oregon, 120 rooms, built in 2016. Home2 Suites by Hilton Pittsburgh/McCandless in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 119 rooms, built in 2013. Hilton Garden Inn West Lafayette Wabash Landing in West Lafayette, Indiana, 104 rooms, built in 2003.

Vickie Callahan is now president of Peachtree Group's management division, after serving as senior vice president for revenue generation. In her new role, she will oversee the company's 88 hotels across 27 brands, totaling 11,173 rooms in 23 states and Washington, DC, Peachtree said in a statement. "Since joining us in 2020 as senior vice president, revenue generation, Vickie has been an invaluable member of our team," said Greg Friedman, Peachtree Group's managing principal and CEO. "Vickie has successfully guided us through the pandemic's challenges with her strategic insights and ability to optimize our hotel revenues. Vickie's leadership will continue to be crucial as we navigate the evolving travel and hospitality landscape and deliver exceptional value to our guests and stakeholders." Peachtree is led by Friedman, Jatin Desai as managing principal and CFO, and Mitul Patel as principal.

PEACHTREE GROUP BAGGED multiple Marriott Select Brands Awards at this year's Marriott Select Brands Owner & Franchisee CONNECT Conference in Orlando, Florida. The awards recognize hotels for service, innovation and commitment to guest satisfaction. Peachtree is led by Greg Friedman as managing principal and CEO, Jatin Desai as managing principal and CFO and Mitul Patel as principal. "These awards are a testament to the exceptional work our hotel associates deliver every day," said Steve Mackenzie, Peachtree's senior vice president of operations, hospitality management. "These hotels have consistently excelled in guest and F&B satisfaction, setting a benchmark for unparalleled service, and we are proud to have them as part of the Peachtree family. Additionally, we extend our gratitude to our partners who entrust us with managing their properties. Their collaboration has been instrumental in achieving these accolades, showcasing our shared commitment to superior quality."

PEACHTREE GROUP RECENTLY issued a $40-million retroactive Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy loan to BLG San Diego LLC for the newly opened 147-room AC Hotel San Diego Downtown Gaslamp Quarter. The proceeds enabled BLG to reduce its senior loan with California-based Preferred Bank and E.Sun Commercial Bank to under $20 million, thereby mitigating the banks' exposure, Peachtree said in a statement. "This innovative capital structure significantly alleviated the immediate financial pressures, enabling the hotel to establish a solid cash flow foundation during its initial years of operation," said Greg Friedman, managing principal and CEO, Peachtree Group. Peachtree is led by Friedman, with Jatin Desai as managing principal and chief financial officer, and Mitul Patel as principal.

PEACHTREE GROUP PROVIDED $114.6 million in bridge loans to recapitalize two Hyatt hotels owned by McWhinney: Hyatt Centric Congress Avenue Austin, Texas, and Hyatt Place Denver Peña Station in Denver. The company originated a 48-month floating-rate bridge loan for the 246-room Austin hotel and a 60-month fixed-rate bridge loan for the 226-room Denver hotel, Peachtree said in a statement. Peachtree is led by Greg Friedman, managing principal and CEO; Jatin Desai, managing principal and CFO; and Mitul Patel, principal. "The Hyatt Centric Congress Avenue Austin is a standout property that embodies Austin's energy and appeal," said Jared Schlosser, Peachtree's executive vice president of hotel originations and head of CPACE. "This recapitalization reflects our confidence in the asset's potential and McWhinney's vision for creating exceptional destinations."

PEACHTREE GROUP RECENTLY surpassed $2 billion in hotel development, with 48 hotels nationwide, including 10 in qualified opportunity zones. The company is expanding into urban infill markets through underwriting, project management, local partnerships and larger investments. The Atlanta-based company began developing hotels 17 years ago with a $10 million Fairfield Inn in Alabama, focusing on suburban, highway and tertiary markets in the Southeast and Midwest, Peachtree said in a statement. Peachtree is led by Greg Friedman, managing principal and CEO; Jatin Desai, managing principal and CFO; and Mitul Patel, principal. "Our early projects taught us how to build efficiently and effectively, setting the stage for the more complex developments we're delivering today," said Friedman. "From suburban mainstays to urban landmarks, our team's adaptability and expertise have been key to our success."

Jamey Cua is the new vice president of business development for Peachtree Hotel Group's hotel operations and management division. Cua will oversee expansion of the Atlanta-based company's third-party management partnerships. Peachtree Hotel Group is led by Managing Principals Mitul Patel and Jatin Desai and CEO Greg Friedman. Prior to joining Peachtree, Cua was senior vice president for third-party managed development at Sage Hospitality. Before that he served as vice president of development for Marriott, International, Inc., and senior director of development for Starwood Hotels & Resorts. He has a master's degree in business administration from Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio, and a bachelor's degree in pre-med and sports medicine from Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio.

Steve Mackenzie is now executive vice president of hotel operations at Peachtree Group's hospitality management division. In this role, he will oversee the financial performance of Peachtree's hotel portfolio, ensure adherence to franchise procedures, regulations and standards, and foster company culture and team growth, Peachtree said in a statement. Peachtree is led by Greg Friedman as managing principal and CEO, Jatin Desai as managing principal and CFO and Mitul Patel as Principal. "Steve has been instrumental in the exceptional growth and results of our hospitality management portfolio over the past six years," said Vickie Callahan, Peachtree's hospitality management division president. "His leadership will continue to guide the team as we grow our portfolio."

PEACHTREE GROUP RECENTLY acquired the AC Hotel Park City in Utah, its sixth hotel acquisition this year, bringing the total to 789 rooms. The company is predicting more growth over the next two years. Peachtree is led by Greg Friedman, CEO and managing principal; Jatin Desai, CFO and managing principal; and Mitul Patel, principal. "Our team has successfully acquired a number of hotel properties at below-market prices, taking advantage of the current slowdown in transactions," said Friedman. "While the market is slower than usual due to high interest rates, tighter lending conditions, economic and geopolitical uncertainty, we continue to remain active, capitalizing on unique opportunities that arise in this environment while employing multiple strategies that allow us to capitalize on the current market dislocation. By staying patient and strategic, we've been able to secure valuable assets while others take a more cautious approach." Peachtree's portfolio includes three Hilton and three Marriott hotels, all managed by Peachtree's hospitality division, which oversees 93 hotels across 27 brands, totaling 11,837 rooms in 26 states.

PEACHTREE HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT has contracted with TEKMAK Development Co., a full-service hospitality development company, to provide third-party management services for a portion of its hotel portfolio. The three hotels are all in Texas. PHM will assume operations of the SpringHill Suites Dallas Rockwall in Rockwall, Texas, on Aug. 1, and is slated to manage two under-construction hotels, a dual-branded TownePlace Suites by Marriott and Fairfield by Marriott in Paris, Texas, and a TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Forney, Texas, the company said in a statement. "This is the second long-term management agreement we've entered into already in 2023, and we will continue to seek best-in-class partners like TEKMAK as we pursue our own third-party management growth goals," said Patrick Short, PHM president. "Our third-party operated portfolio continues to expand, currently accounting for nearly a third of our entire managed portfolio. We expect to continue growing our third-party portfolio moving forward, ultimately surpassing our owned hotels." A division of Peachtree Group, which is led by Jatin Desai and Mitul Patel as managing principals, PHM operates branded, limited-, select- and compact full-service hotels primarily in the upper-midscale and upscale segments. The company presently manages 92 hotels across 28 brands with 11,186 rooms in 22 states. These three TEKMAK hotels increase PHM's third-party operations to 34 hotels, the statement added.

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.