The Montford Group

What The Montford Group does

The Montford Group is a Charleston, South Carolina-based private real estate investment and development company founded in 2017 by Sunju Patel and Jessica Reid. The firm acquires, develops, and operates branded hotel properties — primarily under Marriott (Moxy, Aloft, Autograph Collection), Hilton (Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn, Home2 Suites), Hyatt (Thompson), and IHG (Holiday Inn) — concentrated in secondary and tertiary markets across the Southeast US (South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Ohio). Through the May 2022 TMGOC Ventures joint venture with Opterra Capital (founded by ex-Blackstone Managing Director Glenn Alba), The Montford Group operates a portfolio of 22 real estate assets totaling approximately $903 million under ownership and development pipeline, comprising 2,526+ hotel keys, 335 residential units, 40,000 SF of office/retail, and the Central City Commons mixed-use project. Debt financing has been led by Canyon Partners ($76.7 million deployed across the Moxy Charleston and Charlotte projects), with day-to-day hotel operations outsourced to Aimbridge Hospitality, the largest US third-party hotel management company.

The business model combines long-duration hotel ownership (generating recurring room, F&B, and event revenue) with opportunistic ground-up development and value-add acquisitions in high-growth submarkets. GTM is sales-led: the team sources off-market and on-market deals in under-supplied secondary markets, secures brand franchise agreements for distribution and loyalty access (290+ million combined Bonvoy and Honors members), and structures capital through institutional equity (Opterra) and senior debt (Canyon Partners, First Reliance Bank). Pricing is unit-based on per-key hotel revenue (e.g., Moxy Charleston rooms $200–$300/night at ~225 SF average). Customer segments split between leisure/transient travelers, business travelers, and the investor/LP base providing equity capital. The firm has secured key regulatory approvals in Charleston (BAR conceptual approval for Moxy and Thompson in October 2019; Board of Zoning Appeals approval for the Montford Hotel site in January 2020) that underpin its pipeline.

Name

The Montford Group

Legal name

The Montford Group

Website

https://montfordgroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Montford Group is a Charleston, SC-based private real estate investment and development firm that acquires, develops, and operates branded hotel properties under Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, and IHG in secondary and tertiary markets across the Southeast US, managing 2,526+ hotel keys and $903M in assets through its TMGOC Ventures joint venture with Opterra Capital.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hospitality Real Estate Development & Investment

NAICS

Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (72111)

SIC

Hotels & Motels (7011)

akta.pro primary industry

Franchised/Chain Motels (THAGAFAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Hospitality (Hotels & Resorts) Asset Management (BPAJAMAE)

Keywords

• Hospitality real estate investment
• Hotel property development
• Branded hotel acquisitions
• Commercial real estate
• Mixed-use development

Headquarters

HQ city

Charleston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hotel Property Ownership & Operations: Ownership and operation of branded hotel properties including Moxy, Thompson, Aloft, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn, Home2, Courtyard, Holiday Inn, and Extended Stay America. Revenue generated from room bookings, food and beverage, and meeting/event spaces.
2. Real Estate Development: Ground-up development of hotel properties and mixed-use developments. The company develops approximately 190,000 SF of residential, 275,000 SF of retail, 500,000 SF of industrial, 225,000 SF of office, and 90,000 SF of medical office/hospital space historically.
3. Asset Management: Asset management of portfolio properties, overseeing operations, renovations, and optimization of hotel performance through third-party operators like Aimbridge Hospitality.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Montford Group is a real estate investment and development company that acquires, develops, owns, and asset-manages branded hotel properties (Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, IHG, and independent boutique brands) and commercial real estate across secondary and tertiary markets in the southeastern United States. Operating through the TMGOC Ventures joint venture with Opterra Capital, the company manages a portfolio of $903 million in assets comprising 2,526+ hotel keys and mixed-use developments. Hotel operations are handled by third-party management firms such as Aimbridge Hospitality, while the company focuses on acquisitions, capital markets, development, and asset management.

Product overview

The Montford Group is a real estate investment and development company offering a diversified portfolio of hospitality and commercial real estate properties. The company's product portfolio comprises hotel properties across various brand affiliations (Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, IHG, and independent boutique hotels), mixed-use developments, and commercial office and retail real estate. The hotel portfolio includes lifestyle select-service hotels (Moxy by Marriott in Charleston and Charlotte, Aloft by Marriott in Charleston, Jacksonville, and Savannah), full-service hotels (Hilton Garden Inn in Miami Beach, Sarasota, and Roanoke Rapids; Holiday Inn Boca Raton), extended-stay properties (Home 2 Suites, Extended Stay America), and boutique hotels (Thompson by Hyatt, Montford Hotel Autograph Collection, The Grace Hotel). The company also develops mixed-use projects combining hotels, multifamily, retail, and parking (Central City Commons in Macon), and owns commercial office and retail properties. TMGOC Ventures, the joint venture with Opterra Capital, manages the portfolio totaling over 2,526 hotel keys and $886 million in assets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Moxy by Marriott Charleston A 131-key lifestyle select-service hotel by Marriott located in Charleston's North Downtown Peninsula. Features stylish rooms and suites, signature Bar Moxy, lobby lounge, 1,200 SF meeting space, rooftop lounge and patio, and valet parking. Room rates range from $200-$300 per night with average 225 SF rooms. Part of Marriott Select-Service Hotels.
• Moxy by Marriott Charlotte A 208-key lifestyle select-service hotel under construction in Charlotte's Entertainment District at 125 S Brevard Street. Features 2,500 SF meeting space, rooftop lounge and patio, and valet parking. Scheduled to open September 2024.
• Thompson by Hyatt Charleston A 191-key luxury lifestyle hotel and Charleston's first flatiron-shaped hotel development in the Southeast at 810 Meeting Street. Features signature restaurant and bar, 7,000 SF penthouse meeting and event space, 24/7 wellness fitness center, rooftop pool deck and lounge, and rooftop restaurant and terrace. Part of Hyatt Lifestyle Full-Service Hotels.
• Montford Hotel, Autograph Collection A 150-key luxury lifestyle hotel with 19 residential condos located at 245 Huger Street in Charleston. Features signature lobby bar, rooftop lounge and pool deck, meeting space, and rooftop restaurant and bar. Part of Autograph Collection by Marriott.
• Aloft Charleston Airport & Convention Center A 136-key lifestyle select-service hotel located at Charleston International Airport. Features Re:Charge fitness center, Splash indoor pool, Re:Mix lounge, free WiFi, and billiards. Part of Marriott's select-service lifestyle hotels.
• Aloft Jacksonville Airport A 136-key select-service hotel located three miles east of Jacksonville International Airport. Features W XYZ bar and lounge, Re:fuel grab and go, outdoor splash pool, and on-site parking. Part of Marriott.
• Aloft Savannah Airport A 129-key lifestyle select-service hotel located three miles from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. Features signature W XYZ bar, outdoor pool with patio, and airport shuttle. Pet-friendly with Re:mix lounge and live music.
• Hilton Garden Inn Miami Beach A 96-key hotel located along Collins Avenue one block from Miami Beach. Features Garden Grill and Bar restaurant, business center, and fitness room. Part of Hilton Select-Service Hotels.
• Hilton Garden Inn Sarasota Bradenton Airport A 115-key full-service hotel near Bradenton airport, Ringling Museum and IMG sports academy. Features outdoor pool, spa, Garden Grill restaurant, and 3,696 SF office and meeting space. Part of Hilton's Full-Service Hotels.
• Home2 Suites Sarasota Bradenton Airport A 109-key extended stay hotel featuring spacious suites, outdoor pool and BBQ area, outdoor fire pit and patio. Located near Sarasota beaches. Part of Hilton's Extended Stay Select-service Hotels.
• Hampton Inn Sarasota I-75 Bee Ridge A 112-key select-service hotel with outdoor whirlpool, fitness center, business center, and 2,000 SF meeting spaces. Free hot breakfast included. Part of Hilton's Select Service Hotels.
• Holiday Inn Boca Raton North A 180-key full-service hotel located in the Park of Broken Sound in Boca Raton. Features restaurant and bar terrace, 2,200 SF meeting space, heated whirlpool, shuttle and parking. Part of Holiday Inn Full-Service Hotels.
• The Grace Hotel A 100-key independent boutique hotel featuring rooftop garden signature restaurant and bar, and 5,000 SF meeting and event space. Brand TBD.
• Extended Stay America Jacksonville Airport A 124-key extended stay hotel with fully equipped kitchens, free WiFi, pet-friendly rooms, on-site laundry, and grab and go breakfast. Located three miles from Jacksonville International Airport.
• Courtyard Myrtle Beach Broadway A 135-key select-service hotel located at Broadway at the Beach, five miles from Myrtle Beach International Airport. Features The Bistro restaurant, outdoor pool, Starbucks coffee, and breakfast service.
• Courtyard Charlotte Airport A 148-key select-service hotel located less than a mile from Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Features heated indoor pool, 24-hour fitness center, and The Bistro restaurant and bar.
• Hilton Garden Inn Roanoke Rapids A 147-key full-service hotel located off Interstate 95 near historic Roanoke Rapids Theatre. Features restaurant, indoor pool, and onsite parking. Benefits from Hilton reservation system and Hilton's Honors loyalty program.
• Central City Commons A downtown mixed-use development in Macon, GA connecting entertainment district to medical district and government center. Features two parking decks with 791 spaces, 200+ multifamily units, 150,000 SF retail, and 144-key hotel.
• 170 Meeting Street Office Building A 30,000 SF premium office building fully leased with Regions Bank and Regus serviced office space. Located in historic downtown Charleston banking corridor.
• 1523 Meeting Street Road

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $700 million in real estate transactions since 2019
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Aimbridge HospitalitycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNation's largest third-party hotel management company managing TMGOC portfolio properties. Handles day-to-day operations, staff management, and property optimization for hotels including Moxy Charleston, Aloft properties, and other portfolio holdings.
• Marriott InternationalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFranchise partner for Moxy and Aloft branded hotels. Provides world-class reservation system, Bonvoy loyalty program (130+ million members), and brand standards that drive guest acquisition and revenue.
• Hyatt Hotels CorporationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFranchise partner for Thompson Hotel in Charleston. Thompson is part of Hyatt's Lifestyle Full-Service Hotels portfolio, offering luxury boutique hotel experiences with tailored design for each location.
• Hilton WorldwidecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFranchise partner for Home2 Suites, Hampton Inn, and Hilton Garden Inn properties across Florida and Carolinas. Access to Hilton Honors loyalty program with 133 million members drives guest bookings.
• Hodges Ward ElliottminorOthersReal estate investment brokerage firm that facilitated the Charleston Moxy Hotel transaction between TMGOC Ventures and Canyon Partners.
• Palmetto CommercialminorOthersCommercial real estate brokerage firm that brokered the 170 Meeting Street office building acquisition. Deal led by Joe Keenan and Trad Dyches.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sage Hospitality Group: Hotel ownership, management, and development company operating full-service, lifestyle, and branded hotels across the US. Similar vertically integrated real estate plus third-party operating model.
• Pyramid Global Hospitality: Hospitality management and ownership company operating branded and lifestyle hotels across the US. Comparable third-party-managed branded hotel portfolio model with similar exposure to Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt flag families.
• White Lodging Services: Privately held hotel ownership, development, and management company focused on premium-branded and lifestyle properties in secondary markets. Closely comparable focus on Marriott/Hilton flags and select-service/lifestyle positioning.
• Charlestowne Hotels: Charleston-based hospitality management and investment firm operating branded and boutique hotels in resort and lifestyle markets. Direct regional peer competing in the same Charleston hospitality submarket as Montford.
• Highgate Hotels: Private hospitality owner, operator, and investor that acquires, develops, and manages branded and independent hotels across the US. Highly comparable vertically integrated hotel real estate model to Montford's TMGOC platform, though at significantly larger scale.

Broad incumbents

• Host Hotels & Resorts: Largest publicly traded lodging REIT focused on luxury and upper-upscale hotels under Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt brands. Comparable branded-hotel asset focus but at materially larger scale and broader geography.
• Hersha Hospitality Trust: Lodging REIT focused on branded and lifestyle hotels in urban and resort markets. Comparable branded portfolio mix though currently operating in restructuring/distress, illustrating downside risk in hospitality real estate.
• Sunstone Hotel Investors: Public lodging REIT focused on long-term relevant brands in urban and resort markets. Comparable investment approach to branded, upper-upscale hospitality real estate at scale.
• Pebblebrook Hotel Trust: Publicly traded lodging REIT owning upscale and lifestyle hotels in major US urban and resort markets. Comparable asset class and brand mix, but operates at much larger scale and as a public capital-markets vehicle.

Emerging players

• Northview Hotel Group: Northeast-focused hospitality investment and development firm acquiring and developing branded select-service and extended-stay hotels. Comparable brand-affiliated secondary-market investment thesis though focused on a different geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/themontfordgroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/montfordgroup
• Instagraminstagram.com/themontfordgroup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Montford Group