JAMES E. FITZGERALD
Some of Mr. Fitzgerald’s representative accomplishments in the areas of financings, mergers and acquisitions, workouts, and equity investments are as follows:
- Originated over $2.6 billion in hotel mortgage debt at Principal Financial Group
- Provided over $400 million of mezzanine monies to Goldman, Blackstone and others in recapitalization of entity-wide portfolios.
- Advised on $600 million of buy side CMBS purchases
- Led Principal’s efforts as JV partner on 1002 room JW Marriott Resort in San Antonio- $500 million project
- Served as business advisor to a prominent Florida family resulting in a $100 million joint venture sale to Starwood Capital.
- For a high net worth individual we are advising on the structuring and funding of a $100 million alternative real estate investment fund.
- Worked on behalf of the purchaser of the Four Seasons Hotel (Ty Warner-“Beanie Babies”) in New York as a business advisor on this $300 million acquisition.
- Advisor to Inter-Continental Hotels on a global asset rationalization study.
- Determined the outlook for the mid-price segment of the United States lodging industry from a real estate ownership perspective for Bass Hotels to justify a large asset sale to Bristol Hotels. This work was presented to their Board of Directors which eventually resulted in an $800 million transaction.
- Worked as exclusive business advisor to Oak Hill (Robert Bass) on their $700 million acquisition of Travel Centers of America.
- Also served as business advisor to Oak Hill (Robert Bass) on their $200 million acquisition of American Skiing.
- On behalf of Turner International, acted as business advisor to the government of the United Arab Emirates in evaluating a $1 billion mixed-use leisure project in Abu Dhabi.
- Acted as business advisor to Battery Park City Authority in evaluating and negotiating developer bids to construct a mixed-use hotel and residential complex in Lower Manhattan resulting in the new $100 million Ritz-Carlton hotel.
- On behalf of Meristar Hospitality, worked as a strategic business advisor in suggesting new growth opportunities within lodging and leisure resulting in their acquisition of Bridgestreet Accommodations.
- Assisted two international hotel chains (Bass and Hilton) with an assessment of the risks and opportunities pertaining to a potential $12 billion acquisition of ITT Sheraton.
- Served as business advisor to Blackstone Group on their acquisition of Swissotels in North America.
- Placed over $100 million of hotel financing as a lender with American International Group (AIG).
- Also while at AIG, made over $ 200 million of direct investment in the lodging industry in conjunction with Blackstone Group and Thayer Capital.
- Raised over $200 million of project specific financing as Assistant Treasurer of Omni Hotels.
- While at Omni Hotels, Mr. Fitzgerald led all key tasks to acquire two luxury hotels in Texas ($52 million Mandalay Marriott, $34 million Four Seasons Inn on the Park).
- Responsible for approximately $ 250 million of “workouts” several hotels, including negotiations with lenders and owners, deal structuring and modification of management and franchise agreements.
- Directed the business planning activities for approximately $700 million of hotel projects with Marriott Corporation. These hotel development projects included acquisitions and new development of limited service, full-service, and extended stay hotels in the United States, Europe, and Mexico.
- Led the acquisition and development efforts in the Southeast for Residence Inn by Marriott resulting in $ 40 million of real estate development.