- Montford owns 4,233-plus U.S. hotel keys.
- Sunju Patel,Glenn Alba formed it in 2022.
- Recent hotels in New Orleans, Savannah, GA.
TMGOC VENTURES IS now Montford Group, marking a new chapter for the real estate investment firm. The company’s ownership, leadership, investment philosophy, portfolio and strategy remain unchanged.
The firm represents about $1.5 billion in investments and development pipeline across more than 4,233 hotel keys in the U.S., Montford said in a statement. The Boca Raton, Florida-based firm is led by cofounders and managing partners Sunju Patel and Glenn Alba.
The firm invests across select-service, lifestyle and luxury hospitality. Its capabilities span acquisitions, development, asset management, capital formation and structured investments.
“Montford Group represents the evolution of our firm, not a change in its foundation,” said Patel. “We have built this platform by combining an entrepreneurial approach to identifying opportunities with institutional discipline in how we invest, capitalize and execute.”
Montford works with hospitality companies and brands including Marriott International, The Ritz-Carlton, Autograph Collection, Moxy by Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt and Accor’s Fairmont, the statement said. The rebrand follows investment activity including the Fairmont and Element by Westin conversion in downtown New Orleans. Other projects include The Ritz-Carlton hotel and residences in Savannah, Georgia, and the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel in Maryland.
Real estate roots
Photo credit: Montford Group
The Montford name reflects Patel's roots in Charleston, South Carolina, where he began building his real estate business. Alba spent about two decades at Blackstone Real Estate, most recently as a managing director. The company said he took part in more than $10 billion in hospitality transactions and asset management there.
The two first partnered on the development of Moxy Charleston Downtown. They combined their platforms in 2022 to form TMGOC Ventures. Patel brings real estate and development experience and Alba brings institutional investment and asset management experience.
Alba said Montford Group’s focus remains the same, with disciplined investing, capitalization and execution alongside its partners.
“The new name provides an identity that reflects the platform we have built and where we believe it can go long term.”
The rebrand changes the company’s name and identity but not its business foundation, the company said. Montford will retain its ownership, leadership team, investment philosophy, portfolio and commitment to its partners. It will continue pursuing hospitality investments through acquisitions, value-add repositionings, adaptive reuse and ground-up development. It will also pursue select structured capital opportunities.
The firm will continue as a vertically integrated private real estate investment platform focused on hospitality. Its capabilities span acquisitions, development, asset management, capital formation and structured investments across the U.S.
In August, Access Point Financial and TMGOC Ventures co-originated a $120 million bridge loan and preferred equity investment for Kailas Cos. The financing will recapitalize the conversion of an office building into a dual-branded hotel in downtown New Orleans.
