Starwood Capital-Led Consortium Reaches Agreement to Invest Up to $905 Million in Extended Stay Hotels

GREENWICH, Conn., March 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Starwood Capital Group, TPG Capital and Five Mile Capital Partners announced today that they have reached an agreement to invest up to $905 million in Extended Stay Hotels, Inc. as part of a recapitalization plan that would allow the hotel chain to emerge from bankruptcy. The proposal, which was filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of New York earlier today, would allow Extended Stay, which would be valued at approximately $3.9 billion post-transaction, to emerge from bankruptcy with a significantly stronger balance sheet, reduced debt load and significant cash reserves to invest in its properties and operations. The Extended Stay Board of Directors has determined the offer is superior to a previous agreement with Centerbridge Partners and Paulson & Co., which has been terminated.

The consortium's plan is not conditioned on any financing or due diligence provisions, but is subject to approval of the Bankruptcy Court.    

"We are excited about the prospects of acquiring Extended Stay," said Barry Sternlicht, Chairman and CEO of Starwood Capital Group. "We believe we have made a very compelling offer with the specific intent of balancing and considering the interests of all stakeholders involved here.  Starwood Capital has unparalleled experience in the hospitality sector and we believe we are uniquely positioned to work with the team to help the company flourish and maximize the company's potential for all stakeholders."

As part of the agreement, the consortium would invest $450 million of equity directly into Extended Stay and has also agreed to backstop a $200 million equity rights offering, thereby infusing $650 million of new capital into the company.  In addition, the consortium will commit $255 million to provide a cash alternative for creditors who prefer cash to the equity they would receive as part of the plan of reorganization.

Certain holders of Extended Stay's $4.1 billion mortgage would receive a $200 million cash pay down, a new $2.8 billion mortgage and $471 million of equity in the reorganized entity.  Junior mortgage certificate holders and holders of the company's $3.3 billion mezzanine debt would be provided with junior equity interests.  As a result of this transaction, Extended Stay's total debt would be reduced from $7.4 billion today to $2.8 billion post reorganization.

Under the terms of the agreement, affiliates of Starwood Capital Group will provide approximately half of the new equity, with affiliates of TPG and Five Mile Capital equally providing the remaining amount. Mr. Sternlicht would serve as Chairman of Extended Stay. Mr. Sternlicht is the founder of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, where he served as Chairman and CEO for nearly 10 years as the company grew into one of the world's leading hotel and leisure companies. Mr. Sternlicht also serves as the Chairman of Groupe du Louvre, which owns some the world's best-known luxury hotels, including the Crillon in Paris, and one of the world's largest budget hotel companies, Louvre Hotels, with more than 800 hotels across Europe. In addition, a controlled affiliate of Starwood Capital acquired Golden Tulip out of bankruptcy in 2009, adding a network of more than 230 hotels in almost 40 countries to its portfolio.

Miller Buckfire & Co., LLC is serving as the consortium's financial advisor and Greenberg Traurig, LLP is serving as its legal advisor.

About Starwood Capital Group

Starwood Capital is a private, US-based investment firm with a core focus on global real estate.  Since the group's inception in 1991, the firm, through its various funds, has invested more than $6 billion of equity capital, representing $21 billion in assets. Starwood currently has approximately $14 billion of assets under management. Starwood maintains offices in Greenwich, Atlanta, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., London, Mumbai and Tokyo.  Starwood has invested in nearly every class of real estate on a global basis, including office, retail, residential, senior housing, golf, hotels, resorts and industrial assets.  Starwood and its affiliates have successfully executed an investment strategy that includes building enterprises around core real estate portfolios in both the private and public markets.

About TPG Capital

TPG Capital is the global buyout group of TPG, a leading private investment firm founded in 1992 with more than $48 billion of assets under management and 14 offices in 10 countries around the world.  Since inception TPG and its Principals have invested in approximately 150 companies across diverse industries, investing more than $34 billion of equity capital across a number of different economic and credit cycles.  Currently, TPG has approximately 70 active investments throughout the world, including such real estate intensive businesses as Harrah's, Neiman Marcus, ParkwayLife REIT, PETCO and Surgical Care Affiliates.  Please visit www.tpg.com.

About Five Mile Capital Partners

Five Mile Capital Partners LLC is a leading alternative investment and asset management company established in 2003 with over $2 billion in assets under management. The Firm specializes in investment opportunities in commercial and residential real estate debt and equity and other financial services related investments.

Five Mile's Principals have significant experience, knowledge and skills relevant to the financial services industry and commercial real estate distressed debt and restructuring Five Mile recently converted debt to equity in John Hancock Tower in Boston and the New York Times Center in Manhattan.  The Firm is located in Stamford, Connecticut.

SOURCE Starwood Capital Group