Ashford to Acquire Luxury San Francisco Property
DALLAS, TX, February 23, 2006. Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. reports it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the AAA four-diamond 338-room Pan Pacific San Francisco Hotel in San Francisco, CA, from W2001 Pac Realty, L.L.C., a joint venture between Whitehall Street Global Real Estate Limited Partnership 2001 and affiliates and Oxford Lodging Advisory & Investment Group, LLC for $95 million in cash. The acquisition is expected to close within 45 days.
Ashford will re-brand the hotel with a well-known luxury flag under a long term management agreement, and invest at least an additional $10 million in the re-branding and renovation of the hotel. The renovation, which is expected to commence immediately, consists of revenue enhancing upgrades to meeting space, rooms and food and beverage facilities. The hotel recently completed a $3.8 million renovation in 2004.
On a forward twelve-month basis, the purchase price equates to a 12.2x EBITDA multiple, an EBITDA yield of 8.2% and a net operating income capitalization rate of 6.5% with projected revenues of $32 million. The purchase price equates to a trailing twelve-month net operating income capitalization rate of 3.9% and a 5.0% EBITDA yield. The property generated revenues of $25.5 million for the calendar year 2005.
"San Francisco's hotel market is poised for a dramatic turnaround like that experienced in New York. Based on the RevPAR results posted in 2005 and the projection for mid-teen's growth in 2006, we believe San Francisco will be one of the preeminent growth markets in the U.S. We have evaluated investment opportunities in San Francisco for some time and with this hotel we have found a very attractive entry into the market. This hotel's competitive set has experienced RevPAR increases of close to 25% over the last six months while the hotel has trailed that pace with only 12.7% growth in the same period. With the conversion to a well-known luxury brand, an excellent location and the significant upgrading of the hotel's amenities, we believe we have a tremendous opportunity to outpace the expected strong growth in the San Francisco market. We also intend to explore the value-added possibility of converting the existing Executive Conference Center to a high-end bar/restaurant, retail or downtown day spa concept later in the year that would further enhance the growth of the hotel."
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