Colony Capital Sells Hotel Portfolios in $2.8B Deal

Colony Capital has entered into a definitive agreement to sell six of its hospitality portfolios to Highgate in a deal valued at $2.8 billion, including $67.5 million of gross proceeds on a consolidated basis and the assumption of $2.7 billion in debt. The six portfolios consist of 22,676 rooms across 197 hotel properties.

The transaction is part of Colony’s shift to focus on digital infrastructure assets. “We are thrilled to be delivering on our commitment to dispose of non-core assets and harvest positive value for our hospitality business,” said Marc Ganzi, CEO of Colony Capital in prepared remarks. 

As part of the transaction with Highgate, Colony will transfer five of the six portfolios held in the hospitality segment and an approximately 55% interest in the THL portfolio held in the other equity and debt segment. The sixth portfolio in the hospitality segment, the Inland portfolio, is under receivership and is excluded from the transaction. 

The hotel industry, needless to say, is still reeling from the effects of the pandemic, although slight improvements have been seen since its inception and the lockdowns. Still, the landscape remains grim with half of hotel owners reporting that they are in danger of foreclosure by their commercial real estate debt lenders due to COVID-19, according to a survey by the American Hotel & Lodging Association. The survey also found that more than two-thirds of hotels, or 67%, reported that they will only be able to last six more months at current projected revenue and occupancy levels absent any further relief.

The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2021, subject to customary closing conditions and third-party approvals.

Moelis & Company served as financial advisor to Colony Capital and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP served as legal counsel. Latham & Watkins LLP served as legal counsel to Highgate.