Seize the Day

In 2012, hotel investor Punit Shah has raced a market on the rise. With the economy improving, the window of opportunity for acquiring quality but financially distressed properties at bargain rates is beginning to close as asking prices increase.

Shah, president and chief operating officer of the Clearwater-based Liberty Group of Companies, a hotel development, investment and management firm, has aggressively snapped up properties over the past several months, bringing the group's cumulative investments to $265 million. Since 2010, Liberty has invested well more than $150 million.

This year, the company has been particularly ambitious. “I would comfortably say we've grown 40% since February,” says Shah. He added seven hotels, bringing the current portfolio to about 20 properties. Although hotels dominate the portfolio, it also includes two assisted-living facilities, located in Tampa and St. Petersburg.