Bluegreen Vacations Corporation (NYSE: BXG) today announced the acquisition of The Éilan Hotel and Spa in San Antonio, Texas for approximately $34.3 million.
“This acquisition reflects our ability to identify attractive opportunities in key markets aligned with our western expansion initiatives, and is an important addition to our resort portfolio,” said Shawn B. Pearson, CEO of Bluegreen Vacations. “The Éilan Hotel and Spa property is consistent with our ‘drive-to’ resort strategy with over ten percent of current Bluegreen Vacation Club owners living in Texas and its surrounding states. We are excited to offer our current and future owners the option to visit The Éilan.”
Bluegreen also plans to add a 13,000 square foot sales office at the resort by year end, which Bluegreen believes will expand its footprint for new business prospects and owner growth. The acquisition further leverages Bluegreen’s existing marketing platforms, which include the seven Bass Pro Shops located in Texas, as well as its recently extended relationship with Choice Hotels.
ZB N.A. (d/b/a National Bank of Arizona) is providing up to $27.5 million of financing, $24.3 million at closing for the acquisition of the resort and up to an additional $3.2 million to fund certain future improvement costs.
The Éilan Hotel & Spa is a 165-guest room, boutique hotel featuring a 10-treatment-room spa, resort-style pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center, tennis courts and virtual golf. Guests are welcomed by Roman arches, modern art and Italian-inspired grounds close to the shopping, dining and entertaining districts of the city. The Éilan is also near the San Antonio Museum of Art, which features a collection of both western and eastern art history, the Texas wine country, the second fastest growing wine region in the United States, as well as Six Flags theme park, the 36-hole La Cantera Golf Club, The Rim (Bass Pro site), Shops at La Cantera and Top Golf.
The resort is located within a 120-acre mixed-use development, nested within the foothills of the Texas hill country and is approximately 20 miles from downtown San Antonio, whose nearby attractions include The Alamo and River Walk, a public park spanning five miles along the San Antonio River, lined with shops and restaurants, and over 20 special events throughout the year.