Site Logo
Staycity shores up finances to continue with expansion plans

Aparthotel operator Staycity Group has concluded a €70m debt and equity refinancing ensuring it will emerge from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic fully capitalised.

This will allow the privately-owned company to continue with its European plans to almost double the size of the company over the next 18 months and to operate 15,000 keys by 2026/2027.

ISIF (the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund) took part in the fundraising, taking a 13 per cent stake in the business. In support of this investment ISIF has also committed a debt financing position. As part of the deal, existing shareholders have agreed to invest €7m for ordinary equity alongside ISIF.

With cash and undrawn facilities of €50-60m, Staycity is in a strong position to deal with the impact of the pandemic on its business over the next couple of years and maximise opportunities that are likely to emerge in the recovery phase.

In addition to the equity raise, a new €33m (£30m) loan from UK bank OakNorth was used to top up cash and repay existing debt.

“Despite unprecedented challenges, we have achieved occupancies above 50 per cent year to date. This is significantly ahead of traditional hotels and underpins the robustness of the aparthotel model which is increasingly regarded as an attractive asset class,” said Staycity’s CEO and co-founder Tom Walsh.

Staycity’s has grown from a single apartment in Dublin in 2004 to 21 aparthotels – and 2,700 apartments - today. Over the next 18 months the group will open 10 properties in locations including Manchester, Dublin, Bordeaux, Paris, London and Frankfurt and almost double its operating estate to more than 5,100 keys.

“It’s apparent that full recovery will take some time to achieve but the recent news of the success of the vaccine trials is positive news for the future. Leisure travellers have already demonstrated a demand for short breaks and city-based staycations nearer to home and we are well placed to see our occupancies rise as a result, particularly as our self-catering apartments make social distancing easier," said Walsh.

 

Related Stories
Planning approval for aparthotel at Belfast linen warehouse site
TODD Architects has won planning permission for Bedford Yard, an aparthotel in the heart of Belfast City centre, opposite the BBC's HQ on Ormeau Avenue.
Portfolio Club to acquire Covent Garden’s Wellington Block for £76m
The Portfolio Club has exchanged contracts to acquire the Wellington block from Capital & Counties Properties PLC for £76.5m.
Champalimaud Design designs ski-in and ski-out chalet
Champalimaud Design is responsible for the design of the Yellowstone Club Residence in Big Sky, a ski-in and ski-out retreat set in the Rocky Mountains in Montana.
Winners of 2020 Restaurant & Bar Design Awards revealed
Garden Hotpot a restaurant in Chengdu, China designed by MUDA-Architects and INNS Bar, a bar in Chengdu, China designed by Wooton Designers are the Overall winners of the 2020 Restaurant & Bar Design Awards.
Whitbread opens new 274-bedroom Premier Inn in London
Whitbread has opened a 274-bedroom Premier Inn and Bar + Block restaurant off The Cut in Southwark, London.

Login / Sign up