Developers secure $2.2B construction loan to complete luxury Fontainebleau resort in Las Vegas Strip

Builder and operator of hospitality and commercial properties Fontainebleau Development and Koch Real Estate Investments (KREI) have secured – with J.P. Morgan as an administrative agent – a $2.2 billion construction loan to complete Fontainebleau Las Vegas. Real estate investment trust VICI has agreed to provide up to $350 million in mezzanine loan financing to support said partnership. The 67-story hotel, gaming, meeting, and entertainment destination is expected to make its debut at the north end of the Las Vegas Strip in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Brett Mufson, Fontainebleau Development President, said: "This is a milestone for Fontainebleau Las Vegas and stands as a testament to the tremendous dedication of our team and our partners at Koch Real Estate Investments. We are eager to bring our iconic Fontainebleau brand – timeless beauty, unparalleled service, and innovative design – to the Las Vegas Strip."

Jacob Francis, president, Koch Real Estate Investments, commented: "We would like to thank J.P. Morgan, SMBC, Blackstone Real Estate Debt Strategies, Goldman Sachs, Guggenheim, and VICI Properties for recognizing both the potential of this property and the expertise of those involved in its capitalization, design, and construction. Securing $2.2 billion in financing in today’s market speaks to the widespread confidence in this project, and the team that’s come together to bring it to Las Vegas.”

David Kieske, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of VICI Properties, added: "We are thrilled to partner with both Fontainebleau Development and Koch Real Estate Investments, global leaders in experiential real estate development and investing, on the financing of Fontainebleau Las Vegas."

"We believe the addition of the property will contribute to the increased vitality of the north end of the Las Vegas Strip. This transaction further strengthens VICI’s track record of creatively structuring and investing our capital to generate AFFO growth for our stockholders," he further stated.

Fontainebleau Las Vegas spans 25 acres and nine million square feet on the northern end of the Las Vegas Strip directly adjacent to the Las Vegas Convention Center, and will feature approximately 3,700 luxury hotel rooms, 550,000 square feet of customizable convention and meeting space, and a world-class collection of gaming, dining, retail, lifestyle, and health and wellness experiences.

The partnership between Fontainebleau Development and Koch Real Estate Investments was advised by Dustin Stolly and Jordan Roeschlaub of Newmark. Upon completion, Bowtie Hospitality LLC, a subsidiary of Fontainebleau Development, will be the sole operator of Fontainebleau Las Vegas.