ZIEGLER CLOSES $51,765,000 FINANCING FOR ST. JAMES PLACE OF BATON ROUGE

Ziegler has successfully closed a $51.765 million fundraise through the Series 2026 Bonds for St. James Place of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This financing transaction, announced on August 18, 2026, is aimed at refunding the outstanding Series 2015A Bonds while achieving annual debt service savings and funding capital expenditures for the continuing care retirement community (CCRC).

St. James Place, established in 1980, operates as a not-for-profit corporation and is the only CCRC in Baton Rouge. The facility, which opened its doors in 1983, is situated on a 49-acre campus and offers a range of services including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing. With a total of 210 independent living residences and additional units for assisted living and skilled nursing, St. James Place has positioned itself as a vital resource for senior living in the state capital. The amenities available to residents further enhance its appeal, featuring a fishing lake, fitness center, and multiple dining venues.

The Series 2026 Bonds are structured as fixed-rate, tax-exempt instruments with a final maturity in 2045, aligning with the maturity of the refunded bonds. Ziegler played a critical role in this transaction, assisting St. James Place in securing a BB+ rating from Fitch Ratings. This favorable rating was instrumental in creating an attractive capital markets environment, enabling the community to achieve approximately $337,000 in annual debt service savings through 2045.

The strategic rationale behind this financing is multifaceted. By refunding the Series 2015A Bonds, St. James Place not only reduces its annual debt obligations but also reallocates resources towards capital improvements and operational enhancements. This move is indicative of a broader trend in the senior living sector, where operators are increasingly seeking to optimize their financial structures to better serve their residents and adapt to changing market conditions.

As the senior living sector continues to evolve, the successful closing of the Series 2026 Bonds for St. James Place reflects the ongoing demand for innovative financing solutions. The ability to secure favorable terms in the current capital markets environment suggests a positive outlook for not-for-profit senior living providers. As operators like St. James Place focus on enhancing service offerings and maintaining financial stability, the implications for the broader market are significant, indicating a sustained interest in investing in senior living infrastructure and services.