News: Owners Developers & Managers

Worcester Business Development Corp. funds SBA 504 Loan for Orchard Hills Athletic Club

Lancaster, MA The Worcester Business Development Corp. (WBDC) has added a new SBA 504 Loan to its portfolio for the purchase of commercial real estate in Lancaster. This will be the 7th loan that the WBDC has added to its portfolio in 2024. 

Christina Escobar, director of SBA and lending at the WBDC is excited to add this athletic club to its SBA loan portfolio. “The SBA 504 Loan Program continues to have below-market, long-term fixed-rate financing that we continue to recommend to businesses. The Accredited Lender Program (ALP) status that we received from the U.S. Small Business Administration assisted in the streamlined process of getting this loan approved quickly.” 

New club owner, Raj Motwane is thankful for the partnership with the WBDC and participating lender Webster Five. “The WBDC was extremely helpful in assisting with this purchase. I am excited to build upon the reputation of the club, expand programs/offerings and drive new membership.” 

“Webster Five is always ready to support local businesses,” said Patrick Royce, VP  business lending officer III, Webster Five. “We’re pleased to have worked with the WBDC in financing the acquisition of The Orchard Hills Athletic Club.” 

The project property has been home to the original Orchard Hills Athletic Club for over 40 years. 

Motwane assumed all business assets and operations and has intentions of growing their existing membership of over 2,000 members. The facility currently includes indoor and outdoor pools, fitness center, day care, pro-shop, yoga studio, tennis and pickleball courts, among many other amenities across 18.38 acres.

READ ON THE GO
DIGITAL EDITIONS
Subscribe
Columns and Thought Leadership
Retail infill strategy to activate Pawtucket’s Conant Thread District - by Gaetan Kashala

Retail infill strategy to activate Pawtucket’s Conant Thread District - by Gaetan Kashala

Until recently, the Conant Thread District consisted of approximately 150 acres of underutilized industrial land spanning Pawtucket and Central Falls. Today, the area is one of the most significant
Florida ruling raises bar for condo terminations and buyouts - by Michael Karsch

Florida ruling raises bar for condo terminations and buyouts - by Michael Karsch

On October 14, 2025, in a landmark decision with significant implications for the Florida real estate market, the Supreme Court of Florida formally denied Two Roads Development’s (TRD Biscayne LLC) petition for review in its long-running case against unit owners of Biscayne 21,
Revitalized Town Centers:  Retail??? - by Carol Todreas

Revitalized Town Centers: Retail??? - by Carol Todreas

It is now widely accepted that customers want to shop in person at physical stores. Brands know that they do better business in a physical store than just on line so they want to open stores. Demand for retail space by digital merchants, local entrepreneurs, and newly developed national chains
IREM president’s message:  Our new reality - Staying ahead of supply chain delays - by Yoany Vargas

IREM president’s message: Our new reality - Staying ahead of supply chain delays - by Yoany Vargas

Supply chain delays are slowing construction, ratcheting up operating costs, and extending turnover timelines across Greater Boston, directly reducing revenue and increasing the workload for multifamily and