Harris Family Trusts Acquires Butlin's from Blackstone-backed Bourne Leisure

Blackstone Real Estate Acquires Village Hotels from KSL Capital Partners

June 26, 2024

Restaurants & Hospitality

Funds managed by Blackstone Real Estate have completed the acquisition of Village Hotels from affiliates of KSL Capital Partners. Village Hotels owns and operates 33 hotels across the United Kingdom (approximately 4,400 keys) with integrated fitness clubs, food & beverage outlets and co-working spaces; Blackstone said it plans to expand the number of hotels in the UK and enhance existing facilities.

Blackstone Acquires Crown Resorts

June 24, 2022

Restaurants & Hospitality

Blackstone has completed the acquisition of Crown Resorts Limited, acquiring three integrated resort and casino properties in Melbourne, Perth and Sydney in the firm's largest Asia Pacific transaction. Blackstone said it will work with Crown's management and employees to transform the properties into world-class entertainment destinations, improve compliance and governance, and support the Australian tourism recovery; Crown employs roughly 20,000 people.

Mayfair Equity Partners Backs Management Buyout of TrustedHousesitters

December 20, 2023

E-Commerce

Mayfair Equity Partners is backing a management buyout of TrustedHousesitters, taking a majority stake alongside the company's management team in a deal that values the business at over $100 million. Rockpool will exit its stake but will reinvest alongside Mayfair; the investment will support product innovation and accelerated growth across the US, UK, Europe and Australia.

Waterstones Acquires Blackwell's

February 28, 2022

Retail

Funds advised by Elliott Advisors (UK) Limited have acquired Blackwell's, the iconic academic bookseller based in Oxford. Waterstones — controlled by Elliott and already owner of Foyles — said it will preserve Blackwell's identity while investing in its shops, people and eCommerce operation; the sale ends 143 years of Blackwell family ownership.

Blackford Capital Invests in Aqua‑Leisure Industries

January 13, 2021

Consumer Products

Grand Rapids-based private equity firm Blackford Capital announced a majority investment in Aqua‑Leisure Industries, a Boston-area designer, manufacturer and distributor of water-sport and pool leisure consumer products. Blackford said it will support organic growth, expand distribution and pursue add-on acquisitions while the Aqua‑Leisure management team remains in place; financing partners included Mercantile Bank and Muzinich & Co., with Rush Street advising on debt financing.

HLD Acquires Majority Stake in ba&sh from L Catterton

March 8, 2022

Retail

HLD (Groupe HLD) has agreed to acquire the majority stake in French womenswear brand ba&sh from private equity firm L Catterton; terms were not disclosed. The deal transfers control to HLD, which said it will partner with ba&sh's founders and management to support further geographic expansion, new product categories and continued omnichannel growth following a period of rapid scale under L Catterton.