Sunstone Hotel Investors Announces the Disposition of Boston Park Plaza

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. (the "Company" or "Sunstone") (NYSE: SHO) today announced that it has completed the sale of the 1,060-room Boston Park Plaza (the "Hotel") for a gross sale price of $370 million, or approximately $350,000 per key. The sale price represents a 12.1x multiple on Hotel Adjusted EBITDAre and a 7.1% cap rate on Hotel Net Operating Income for the trailing four quarter period ended June 30, 2023. The Company acquired the Hotel in 2013 and successfully executed a business plan to reinvigorate the well-located historic hotel. Over the course of the Company's ownership period, the Hotel's annual earnings nearly doubled and the Hotel generated cumulative Hotel Adjusted EBITDAre of approximately $210 million. Based on the timing of the prior renovation, the Company anticipates that the Hotel will require significant additional investment to maintain its competitive position and sustain its current level of earnings. Inclusive of the Company's estimate of required near-term capital expenditures, the gross sale price presents a 14.1x multiple on Hotel Adjusted EBITDAre and a 6.1% cap rate on Hotel Net Operating Income for the trailing four quarter period ended June 30, 2023. The Company is evaluating opportunities to reinvest the net proceeds from the sale through a tax deferred exchange. If an exchange is not completed, the Company can utilize existing tax attributes to offset the gain resulting from the sale and retain the net proceeds for future investment. The Company will provide additional details regarding the disposition, including the expected impact on the Company's fourth quarter operating results, as part of its upcoming quarterly earnings release in early November.

Bryan Giglia, Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are pleased to announce the disposition of Boston Park Plaza. This has been a successful allocation of capital for Sunstone and the sale is consistent with our strategy to actively harvest value and recycle proceeds into new opportunities that will provide superior risk-adjusted returns. Our completed investment in Boston Park Plaza further demonstrates our ability to create value from repositioning and to realize that value through the disposition and ultimately, the redeployment of those proceeds. Boston remains a dynamic and attractive lodging market and we will continue to benefit from exposure to the city through our ownership of the Marriott Boston Long Wharf. Consistent with our strategy to actively recycle capital based on our investment lifecycle approach, we are currently evaluating opportunities to reinvest the sales proceeds into assets that will provide our investors with higher growth, superior returns, and greater per-share NAV growth."

In a move signaling its U.S. market expansion strategy, Parks Hospitality Holdings (PHH), a leading hospitality developer and hotel owner, confirmed the acquisition of the strategically positioned Boston Park Plaza. 

"Acquiring the celebrated Boston Park Plaza is a significant milestone for Parks Hospitality Holdings," said Charles El-Mann Fasja, CEO at PHH. "This addition to our irreplaceable hotel real estate portfolio marks a new era of expansion for PHH, bringing our expertise in hospitality development and investment from Mexico to locations across the U.S. We're honored to continue expanding our partnership with Hilton with this iconic project and have future plans to scale our presence across other key U.S. cities."

Founded in 2006 by Charles El-Mann Fasja, PHH affiliates' current portfolio includes over 11,000 hotel keys and more than 11,000 U.S.-based multifamily units with an additional 2,000 under development (primarily in Colorado, California, and other U.S. Southern locations). PHH, the foremost real estate developer in Mexico, has showcased its ability to translate its prowess to the U.S. market through a successful venture in 2018: an investment in the 285-key Grand Hyatt Vail. Under PHH's stewardship, the resort underwent extensive renovations and reopened in 2019, aligning seamlessly with its enduring commitment to revitalizing the surrounding locality and fostering community growth. Furthermore, PHH achieved the conversion of the property into a distinguished brand hotel, Grand Hyatt Vail, previously operating independently. In a testament to their ongoing commitment to excellence, renovations continue, and a branded restaurant is set to grace the property in December, enhancing its allure and hospitality offerings.

As PHH expands its investment reach and strategy, it will continue to work with Hilton and other partners to evolve and grow in the U.S., Mexico, and beyond.

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