Hersha Hospitality Trust, owner of hotels in urban gateway markets and regional resort destinations, has entered into a definitive agreement to sell seven of its non-core, urban select-service properties outside of New York for gross proceeds of $505 million, or approximately $360,000 per key. The purchaser was not disclosed.
“We’re pleased to have reached an agreement that supports our long-term strategic objectives and delivers immediate shareholder value,” said Jay H. Shah, CEO, Hersha. “With the sale of these non-core properties, we are able to continue our transformation by deepening our focus on our luxury & lifestyle and New York portfolios—both demonstrating resiliency coming out of the pandemic. Our resort markets and lifestyle properties continue to outperform—as reflected in our first quarter financial results announced yesterday—and our purpose-built New York City cluster, coupled with our unique operating model, positions us for strong performances across the recovery.”
The following select-service properties will be included in the transaction:
- Courtyard Brookline
- Hampton Inn Philadelphia
- Hilton Garden Inn M Street
- Hampton Inn—Washington D.C.
- Courtyard Sunnyvale
- Courtyard Los Angeles Westside
- TownePlace Suites Sunnyvale
Hersha intends to use the proceeds from the sale of this portfolio to provide immediate liquidity for a significant net debt reduction of approximately $460 million-$480 million. In addition to approximately $390 million-$410 million of corporate debt, the company expects to reduce mortgage debt associated with this portfolio by approximately $75 million, resulting in a pro forma consolidated leverage ratio of 4.9x-5.1x. The company also expects to recast its existing credit facility, which would eliminate all corporate-level debt maturities through 2024.
Following completion of the transaction, Hersha will own 26 hotels in six key destination markets across the U.S. On a pro forma basis, the remaining portfolio’s total RevPAR based on 2019 actual performance would have increased from $206 to $219, total ADR would have increased from $247 to $262, and EBITDA per key would have increased from approximately $32,000 to $33,000.
The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter, subject to customary closing conditions.
