The hotel was acquired from a consortium of investors led by Oak Hill Advisors. As part of the sale, Highgate will also assume management of the hotel which will be rebranded as the Gates Hotel Diagonal Barcelona, a Highgate independent brand. The deal represents the second hotel transaction between Benson Elliot and affiliates of Walton Street following the purchase of an approximately €420 million portfolio of eight hotels in October 2015.
Benson Elliot is familiar with the 22@ district of Barcelona, regarded as one of Europe’s most important urban regeneration projects, having invested in and realised the Granada 150 site and Cornerstone Poblenou office development within the last two years.
Trish Barrigan, Benson Elliot Senior Partner, said: “We have built a strong track record in the hotel sector and believe the Barcelona market will continue to strengthen, supported by strong local fundamentals and a buoyant tourism market. Furthermore, this transaction provides us with a rare and compelling opportunity to acquire a hotel unencumbered by brand and management.”
Robert Bloom, Walton Street Senior Principal, said: “We are pleased to extend our existing partnerships with both Benson Elliot and, long-time partner, Highgate in the acquisition of the Hotel Silken Diagonal. The Barcelona market features compelling supply and demand fundamentals which should further support our investment thesis over the next several years.”
Steve Barick, Highgate Chief Operating Officer, said: “The Hotel Silken Diagonal is located within the broader 22@ development district, a major regeneration project converting industrial land into an innovative business, residential and commercial district including major public infrastructure projects. The asset is well located in this rapidly changing area of Barcelona, an already high growth European market. We look forward to our continued partnership with Benson Elliot and Walton Street.”
ENDS
For further information:
Benson Elliot
Trish Barrigan, Senior Partner
Matilda Williams
+44 (0) 20 7808 8900
Matilda.williams@bensonelliot.com
Walton Street
Robert Bloom, Senior Principal
Nicole Kolar
+1 312 915 2855
Kolar@waltonst.com
Highgate
Brian Kaufman, VP of Acquisitions & Development
Lisa Tully
+ 1 212 707 4322
ltully@highgate.com
FTI Consulting
Dido Laurimore / Claire Turvey
+44 (0) 20 3727 1000
Dido.laurimore@fticonsulting.com
Claire.turvey@fticonsulting.com