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Azora, the Madrid-based European private equity real estate manager, announces that it has acquired the Arenas Resort Giverola, in Costa Brava Spain, from leading Swiss hotel group Arenas The Resorts. The acquisition has been made on behalf of the Azora European Hotel and Lodging, F.C.R. (“Azora EH&L” or the “Fund”) and represents the Fund’s first purchase since Azora assembled its seed portfolio ahead of a €680 million first close last summer.
Spread over 35 hectares in a prime location at the heart of Costa Brava, the beachfront resort comprises a 213 apartment hotel complex, as well as a large campsite. It currently offers a number of high-quality amenities, including five restaurants and bars, sports facilities and swimming pools including a spa, as well as plentiful parking.
Located in the popular Tossa del Mar region in north eastern Catalonia, the resort benefits from direct access to two of Costa Brava’s most picturesque beaches, Cala Pola and Cala Giverola. The area is also renowned for being one of the best locations for cycling in Europe.
Azora has appointed Med Playa, one of Spain’s largest hotel operators, to manage the resort, strengthening their existing working relationship.
Azora believes there is potential to create value and improve income at the asset, which was originally built in 1988, and plans to invest c. €40 million to carry out a comprehensive refurbishment and expansion of the existing facilities across both the hotel and camping elements.
Work is already underway to transform the campsite into a modern ‘glamping’ destination, which on completion, will offer 125 bungalows, 62 tents and 126 caravan spots. The 213 apartment hotel element will be upgraded to achieve a 4-star rating with work undertaken two phases, the first of which is due to start in November 2021. Azora and Med Playa will reopen the hotel to the public next June.
In line with its broader approach to ESG, Azora also intends to improve the resort’s environmental credentials, including targeting a BREEAM very good or above certification and improving energy efficiency. Additionally, under Azora’s commitment to contribute to the local economies, it will prioritise partnerships with local suppliers.
Azora is also planning a number of commercial and operational changes to enhance the customer experience, including repairing the historic “camí de ronda” paths that run through the resort.
The Giverola Resort will strengthen the current seed portfolio of the Azora European Hotel and Lodging, F.C.R, which already includes 10 hotels secured on launch, with circa 2,670 keys and 4 hostels with circa 1,200 beds, located across Spain, Portugal, Italy and Belgium.
With a first close of €680 million and a hard cap of €750 million, the Fund has an implied total capacity of more than €1.5 billion to invest in leisure hotel opportunities across Europe, with a significant proportion of the portfolio expected to be located in Spain, Europe’s most popular “sun & beach” destination. Azora will use its significant expertise to implement a value-add strategy for the Fund, through repositioning, refurbishment, and active asset management.
Source : Company