1. Transaction Summary for Geoffrey Lea
I have worked in commercial realestate lending for over 20 years. My work has covered underwriting,
originations, management of underwriters, portfolio management, acquisitions of fee real estate,oversight
of “special servicers” and the approval of their loan disposition strategies, among other commercial real
estate related activities.
Notable transactions that I have been involved in include the following:
$1.38 billion. Underwrote and managed an 18% slice of the senior debt on Hilton Corporation. Total
debt was restructured with portions of the mezz debt converted to equity, while amortization remained
unchanged, resulting in an acceleration and deleveraging of senior debt.
$270 million A-note participation on six Harrah’s Casinos. Managed large participation of senior debt
and worked with other participants to restructure debt to allow for additional extension options with
stepped up rates subject to lender approval.
$200 million A-note participation on realestate assets of Outback Steak House, including subsidiaries
Carrabas,Bone Fish and Flemings Steak House. I had approval rights under any restructures and
collateral releases.
$120 million first mortgage whole loan on ten properties, primarily Holiday Inns. Worked directly with
sponsor in restructuring debt which included deleveraging debt and granting extensions. Sponsor was one
of the founders of Starwood.
$105 million A-note portion of mortgage debt secured by premier office building located on Madison
Avenue across from Central Park in New York City. This loan paid as agreed but was closely watched
due to very high loan dollars per square foot. Worked closely with Shorenstein, which held the B-note.
$100 million A-note on major hotel and casino resort property located on the island of Aruba. Approved
hotel renovations which successfully increased overall property revenues.
$85 million A-note secured by 36 apartment buildings containing 780 units located primarily in the Upper
East Side market in New York. Oversaw approval rights of $20 million renovation plan for the
properties. Later acquired a portion of the B-note as the property NOI increased.
$46 million A-note secured by 21 distribution warehouse buildings owned by US Food Service and
located throughout the country. Oversaw the approval of collateral releases subject to certain resulting
loan performance parameters.
$44 million mortgage loan held on 780,000 square foot enclosed mall in Ithaca, New York. Underwrote
loan and met with borrower on site on multiple occasions to go over to go over increased vacancy in mall.
$44 million A-note on 300 room casino and hotel property located in the country of Panama. I was
concerned about substantial amount of new supply entering the market but the loan was properly sized
and well secured.
In addition to the above, I have overseen the re-underwriting and oversight of thousands of commercial
real estate loans securing subordinate commercial mortgage backed securities.