$200M JV Aims for $600M in New Assets

MIAMI-Locally based Cardel Hotels, founded by developer Carlos Rodriguez, is on a fast track to acquire and develop $600 million in hotel assets within the next 24 months. Rodriguez has a $200-million acquisition chest, thanks to a strategic equity joint venture partnership with a private equity fund arranged by New York-based Carlton Hospitality Group.

Howard L. Michaels, chairman of Carlton Advisory Services, announced the partnership Wednesday, July 12. Cardel Hotels will be the asset and joint venture manager. Driftwood Hospitality will manage all of the properties acquired or developed by the fund.

Two transactions have already closed. In the first deal, Cardel used $22 million of equity to recapitalize its 123-room Hampton Inn & Suites in Miami and the 250-room Crowne Plaza in Sawgrass. The second transaction was the acquisition of three Bradford Homesuites totaling about 400 rooms in Houston, North Dallas Addison and the Denver Tech Center. Michaels says all three properties will be totally renovated and repositioned as either a Hyatt Summerfield Suites or Staybridge Suites.