RobertDouglas Advises on the Strategic Merger of Waterford Hotel Group and Waterton Hospitality to Create a Powerful Management and Investment Platform
WATERFORD, CT – March 5, 2019 – RobertDouglas announced today that it advised both parties in the merger of Waterford Hotel Group, a leading hospitality management company, and Waterton, a Chicago-based real estate investor and hotel operator, to form a new venture to strengthen and grow their hospitality portfolios. With Waterford Hotel Group (“Waterford”) driving operational success for hotel assets, Waterton will concentrate efforts on continued real estate investment strategies including growing the hotel portfolio.
“The combined resources, scale, and experience of both organizations will accelerate growth of the management business while increasing the investment pipeline and access to institutional capital,” notes Rob Stiles, Principal & Managing Director of RobertDouglas.
“This merger between our organizations will serve as a catalyst to grow our hospitality portfolios in a strategic manner,” said Len Wolman, Chairman and CEO of Waterford. “More importantly, it presents greater opportunities for all of our stakeholders, including value-add for ownership groups, strengthened brand relations, and increased talent attraction and career growth for our associates.”
Waterford has assumed management of eight hotels previously operated by Waterton. Waterford’s portfolio has now grown to 41 properties in nine states, representing more than 6,200 keys. The new additions complement Waterford’s existing diverse portfolio of full-service, select-service, and independent hotels as well as a convention center. The properties that were transitioned total more than 1,600 guestrooms in Ohio, Illinois, and Massachusetts; six of which are full-service hotels.
Waterford’s 30+ years of hospitality expertise and track record of increasing market share and profitability through operational efficiency made them an attractive complement to Waterton’s investment and asset management expertise. The new venture gives Waterton a platform to leverage the combined asset management and operational acumen of the two firms.
“Our investment management expertise and Waterford’s operational expertise represent a powerful combination which is sure to be attractive to brokers, sellers, and investors in the hotel space,” said David Schwartz, CEO, Chairman and Co-Founder of Waterton. “Combining our hotel assets with Waterford allows Waterton to remain in the hotel business with a more strategic focus on asset management and acquisitions, while creating a larger portfolio with greater synergies for our assets and for growth opportunities for our operations professionals.”
About Waterford Hotel Group
Since 1986, Waterford and its affiliates have been involved in developing and operating hotel, gaming and venue properties totaling more than $3 billion. Waterford Hotel Group is an approved operator for the leading hotel brands and is experienced with virtually every type of hotel product, including full-service, select-service, and resort properties, as well as convention centers. The company has owned and/or managed more than 100 properties nationwide, ranging from large multi-use projects to small independent inns. For information, visit www.waterfordhotelgroup.com.
About Waterton
Waterton is a real estate investor and operator with a focus on U.S. multifamily, hospitality, and seniors housing properties. Founded in 1995, Waterton executes value-add strategies and manages a national portfolio of multifamily and hospitality properties on behalf of institutional investors, family offices, and financial institutions. Waterton is privately held and is headquartered in Chicago with regional teams throughout the United States. As of December 31, 2018, Waterton’s portfolio includes approximately $4.9 billion in real estate assets. Visit Waterton’s website: www.waterton.com.
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Paul Kesman
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