(BRK.A), (BRK.B)
Berkadia, Berkshire Hathaway’s joint venture with Jefferies Financial Group, the sale of and financing secured for Springs at Foothills Farm, a 264-unit garden-style multifamily community located in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Senior Directors Nick Steele and John Laratta and Directors Nate Moyer and Tyler King of Berkadia Denver completed the $110.88 million record setting sale on behalf of the seller, Wisconsin-based Continental Properties Company, Inc. The buyer was California-based Hamilton Zanze & Company, and the deal closed on September 7. The sale of Springs at Foothills Farm represents the largest transaction in the history of Colorado Springs.
“This was an exciting asset to work on given the size and location,” said Steele. “It’s the largest single asset sale ever in Colorado Springs. Despite turbulent market conditions, we were able to procure more than 20 offers for the asset which speaks to the amount of interest for high quality, well located multifamily assets in Colorado. The fact that the transaction was consummated is a testament to the parties involved. We are grateful to have played a small part.”
Managing Director Clay Akiwenzie of Berkadia Incline Village secured $58.145 million in permanent acquisition financing on behalf of the buyer. The 10-year loan was financed through Freddie Mac.
“Closing on time on terms negotiated 90 days ago amidst such extreme capital markets volatility requires calm and seasoned hands on every edge of the transaction,” said Akiwenzie. “We had that here.”
About Berkadia
Founded in 2009 as a 50/50 joint venture between Berkshire Hathaway and Leucadia National Corporation (now known as Jefferies Financial Group), Berkadia is a third-party commercial mortgage servicer, as well as an approved lender for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and HUD/FHA.
The company is among the top Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae multifamily lenders.
Berkadia owes its origins to GMAC Commercial Mortgage Corporation, which was acquired in 2009 by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., Five Mile Capital Partners LLC, and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners. Christened Capmark Financial, the company had $10 billion of originations in 2008 and a servicing portfolio of more than $360 billion before running into bankruptcy in October 2009.
In a deal approved by the bankruptcy court, Capmark sold its mortgage loan and servicing to the newly formed Berkadia in a deal worth $515 million.
The deal brought Berkshire into the heart of the commercial loan serving business, and the company has one of the largest commercial real estate servicing portfolios.
© 2022 David Mazor
Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.