Approach
At Westport, the Management Team will continue to apply the core
principles that have proven historically successful. The team seeks to
generate consistent returns regardless of the prevailing investment
environment.
The Westport professional who acquires an asset retains primary
responsibility for its performance, calling upon the in-depth expertise
of team members as the investment is brought through the value creation
process. To enhance our specialized services, we have developed
relationships with domestic and international real estate owners,
operators and managers who have intimate knowledge of local markets and
provide additional specialized operational expertise.
Within the framework of a core set of values, we are flexible enough to
take advantage of changing market conditions. This fundamentally
conservative approach emphasizes preservation of capital, downside
protection and current cash flow. Rigorous underwriting, due diligence,
investment review, and proactive asset management are combined in an
effort to maximize value for and mitigate risk to the Funds.
We perform independent analyses and do not rely on third parties. In
real property investments, we proactively manage and reposition assets,
investing capital where prudent to make improvements, and aggressively
implement business plans to increase revenue and reduce expenses. We
apply the same approach to our financial asset investments, performing
as much asset-level underwriting as possible, while taking into account
company-specific and market factors. In distressed situations, we seek
to be as senior as possible in the capital structure and to exert
significant influence in the workout process.
We take a four dimensional approach to diversification:
Capital Structure We invest throughout the
capital structure, seeking to find the point where the risk-return
profile is maximized, keeping in mind our absolute return targets. Our
Property Funds generally own properties directly, while our Strategies
Funds invest in a wide variety of mortgage instruments, bank debt
(syndicated and bilateral), secured and unsecured corporate debt,
mezzanine loans, structured finance instruments and equity and debt
securities issued by companies with significant real estate investments
or exposure.
Life Cycle Our prior experience allows us to
generate profits anywhere in the life of an asset – new development,
redevelopment, and change-of-use. Where prudent, we enter into joint
venture relationships with partners who bring specific, relevant
experience to the equation. Creativity and flexibility are key to
maximizing value.
Product Type We have significant experience
across the spectrum of asset classes – office, retail, single and
multi-family, industrial, healthcare, hospitality and gaming. Our
investment experience includes the ownership of both real property and
operating company investments in these sectors.
Geography The Team has successfully invested
across the United States and in Canada, Mexico, Europe and Asia.
International investments are generally made with local country
partners. We believe strongly that international investment must come
with a premium to returns available in the United States, reflecting the
additional political and economic risks entailed in investment overseas.
We perform significant country and local market due diligence ourselves,
not relying on “remote control” investing.
Cohesive, Experienced Team
Conservative, Yet Flexible Investment Philosophy
"Roll up the Shirtsleeves" Approach to Creating Value
Investment Diversification