Tanenbaum Equity Partners closed a $450 million recapitalization of its nationwide government-leased real estate portfolio in a transaction that consolidated multiple property-level financings into a unified capital structure. The Dallas-based firm arranged senior debt from Centennial Bank and a preferred equity investment from Eagle Point Credit Management, with TEP's principals retaining the common equity.
The portfolio comprises 98 properties totaling approximately 1.6 million square feet across 24 states, leased primarily to 30 federal government agencies. TEP said the transaction enhances operational efficiency, improves cash flow and positions the firm for continued acquisitions.
The portfolio is 98% occupied with a weighted average remaining lease term of 5.2 years. The transaction was completed during a period of continued selectivity in commercial real estate investment, the firm said.
"Over the last decade, we've built one of the nation's largest privately owned portfolios of federally leased real estate," said Sunny Sajnani, chief executive officer of Tanenbaum Equity Partners. "This recapitalization establishes a long-term capital structure that reflects the quality and stability of our assets while creating a strong foundation for the next phase of our acquisition strategy."
The transaction marks a milestone in a career spanning more than 35 years for TEP Chairman Richard Tanenbaum. Since 1997, Tanenbaum has overseen the expansion of the affiliated Gardner Tanenbaum commercial portfolio from approximately 800,000 square feet to more than 8 million square feet, completing nearly 50 projects totaling more than $1 billion across multifamily, industrial, retail and office development.
Co-investment terms on recapitalizations are where families discover whether they are partners or exit liquidity, family office advisor Jaf Glazer has argued.
"I've spent my career focused on building real estate platforms that can perform through changing market cycles, and this transaction reflects that same long-term philosophy," said Richard Tanenbaum, chairman of Tanenbaum Equity Partners. "What the TEP team has built in the government-leased sector is exceptional. This recapitalization validates the strength of the portfolio and gives us the flexibility to continue growing it thoughtfully for the next generation."
"Government-leased real estate offers durable cash flows and attractive risk-adjusted characteristics. TEP has assembled a high-quality portfolio that aligns well with our investment strategy, and we're pleased to support the platform's next stage of growth," said Jaime Milgram, vice president at Eagle Point. Raymond James served as exclusive financial advisor to TEP on the transaction.
