#15: Jay Shah - Executive Chairman of Hersha Hotels & Resorts | Building a REIT in Hospitality

Hersha Hospitality Trust (NYSE: HT) is a self-advised real estate investment trust in the hospitality sector, which owns and operates luxury and lifestyle hotels in urban gateway and regional resort markets. The Company’s 25 hotels totaling 3,811 rooms are located in New York, Washington, DC, Boston, Philadelphia, South Florida, and California.

Jay is involved in all areas of the business with a particular emphasis on strategic relationships, capital transactions, asset management, and acquisitions.

On this episode, Jake and Jay discuss:

• The story of building Hersha into a publicly-traded powerhouse
• Pros & cons of a REIT and starting one in the Hospitality sector
• How to think about the market
• Missed opportunities and biggest wins

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Links:

Hersha Hospitality Trust

Jay on LinkedIn

The 4 Seasons Boston

Timestamps:

(00:02:39) Jay & Jake’s relationship and Jay’s first hotel in NYC

(00:09:30) Opening a hotel amidst the chaos of 9/11

(00:11:25) Was NYC a way to legitimize your business?

(00:31:33) What struggles are there in operating a REIT?

(00:40:33) How would you advise a Hospitality company before they form a REIT?

(00:43:34) Why did you transition into full-service and lifestyle operations?

(00:50:22) What do you think about as an owner and non-operator that you can influence?

(00:53:10) What do you look for when you visit your own hotels, competitors, or one you might acquire?

(00:57:14) What are your thoughts on spending Capex on renovations where you don’t see more upside?

(01:00:01) What have you found the best ways to structure F&B deals?

(01:06:25) How will you be investing in the future given the shifts from covid?

(01:09:53) What’s the most common ways people get smoked in the Hotel business?

(01:11:19)Jay’s growth mindset

(01:15:25) Growing a Management Company

(01:18:24) What makes a really good partner?

(01:21:28) What’s a market you’re interested in?

(01:22:49) What is your favorite hotel?