The Eternal Companies completed its first purchase with the $12 million acquisition of two cash-flowing hotel assets located, respectively, in Columbus and Macon, Georgia. The newly formed DC-based firm was launched in 2023 by Damon Healey to acquire and operate extended stay hotels in secondary markets throughout the US. Prior to launching Eternal, Healey worked at Brookfield Asset Management, where he led their extended stay expansionary efforts, culminating in a sale of the portfolio to the Blackstone Group and Starwood Capital Group. Diversified Lending Solutions acted as a strategic capital advisor and Co-GP on the transaction.  

Both hotels benefit from proximity to large military installations and diverse local employment nodes. Columbus, 100 miles southwest of Atlanta, is home to Fort Benning and the Maneuver section of Excellence, employing approximately 40k military personnel, in addition to major employers like Aflac and growing defense, automotive, and aerospace industries. Macon, an hour south of Atlanta and the fourth largest city in Georgia, benefits from proximity to three airports, four deepwater ports within five hours, and strategic positioning at the intersection of Interstate 75 and 16, making it an attractive location for regional shipping and distribution.  

Extended stay continues to be the fastest growing, highest performing, and recession resistant hospitality segment, largely due to longer average stays and higher operating margins. Eternal will be implementing a Property Improvement Plan to further differentiate the assets, already high performers in their respective markets, from their peer group to further optimize performance.