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Related-Party Transactions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]  
Related-Party Transactions Related-Party Transactions
Management Agreement
We are party to a management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with our Manager. Under the Management Agreement, our Manager, subject to the oversight of our board of directors, is required to manage our day to day activities, for which our Manager receives a base management fee and is eligible for an incentive fee and stock awards. Our Manager’s personnel perform certain due diligence, legal, management and other services that outside professionals or consultants would otherwise perform. As such, in accordance with the terms of our Management Agreement, our Manager is paid or reimbursed for the documented costs of performing such tasks.
Base Management Fee. The base management fee is 1.5% of our stockholders’ equity per annum and calculated and payable quarterly in arrears in cash. For purposes of calculating the management fee, our stockholders’ equity means: (a) the sum of (1) the net proceeds from all issuances of our equity securities since inception and equity securities of subsidiaries issued in exchange for properties (allocated on a pro rata daily basis for such issuances during the fiscal quarter of any such issuance), plus (2) our retained earnings and income to non-controlling interests with respect to equity securities of subsidiaries issued in exchange for properties at the end of the most recently completed calendar quarter (without taking into account any non-cash equity compensation expense incurred in current or prior periods), less (b) any amount that we pay to repurchase our common stock since inception. It also excludes (1) any unrealized gains and losses and other non-cash items that have impacted stockholders’ equity as reported in our financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP, and (2) one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP, and certain non-cash items not otherwise described above, in each case after discussions between our Manager and our independent directors and approval by a majority of our independent directors. As a result, our stockholders’ equity, for purposes of calculating the management fee, could be greater or less than the amount of stockholders’ equity shown in our consolidated financial statements.
For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, approximately $97.2 million, $89.8 million and $87.3 million, respectively, was incurred for base management fees. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, there were $25.3 million and $23.5 million, respectively, of unpaid base management fees included in related-party payable in our consolidated balance sheets.
Incentive Fee. Our Manager is entitled to be paid the incentive fee described below with respect to each calendar quarter if (1) our Core Earnings (as defined below) for the previous 12-month period exceeds an 8% threshold, and (2) our Core Earnings for the 12 most recently completed calendar quarters is greater than zero.

The incentive fee is an amount, not less than zero, equal to the difference between (1) the product of (x) 20% and (y) the difference between (i) our Core Earnings for the previous 12-month period, and (ii) the product of (A) the weighted average of the issue price per share of our common stock of all of our public offerings and including issue price per equity security of subsidiaries issued in exchange for properties multiplied by the weighted average number of all shares of common stock outstanding (including any RSUs, any RSAs and other shares of common stock underlying awards granted under our equity incentive plans) and equity securities of subsidiaries issued in exchange for properties in such previous 12-month period, and (B) 8%, and (2) the sum of any incentive fee paid to our Manager with respect to the first three calendar quarters of such previous 12-month period. One half of each quarterly installment of the incentive fee is payable in shares of our common stock
so long as the ownership of such additional number of shares by our Manager would not violate the 9.8% stock ownership limit set forth in our charter, after giving effect to any waiver from such limit that our board of directors may grant in the future. The remainder of the incentive fee is payable in cash. The number of shares to be issued to our Manager is equal to the dollar amount of the portion of the quarterly installment of the incentive fee payable in shares divided by the average of the closing prices of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) for the five trading days prior to the date on which such quarterly installment is paid.

Core Earnings is defined as GAAP net income (loss) excluding non-cash equity compensation expense, the incentive fee, depreciation and amortization of real estate and associated intangibles, acquisition costs associated with successful acquisitions, any unrealized gains, losses or other non-cash items recorded in net income (loss) for the period and, to the extent deducted from net income (loss), distributions payable with respect to equity securities of subsidiaries issued in exchange for properties or interests therein. The amount is adjusted to exclude one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP and certain other non-cash adjustments as determined by our Manager and approved by a majority of our independent directors.
For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, approximately $13.7 million, $35.3 million and $35.7 million, respectively, was incurred for incentive fees. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, there were $3.5 million and $12.7 million of unpaid incentive fees included in related-party payable in our consolidated balance sheets.
Expense Reimbursement. We are required to reimburse our Manager for operating expenses incurred by our Manager on our behalf. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Management Agreement, we are required to reimburse our Manager for the documented costs of legal, tax, consulting, accounting and other similar services rendered for us by our Manager’s personnel. The expense reimbursement is not subject to any dollar limitations but is subject to review by our independent directors. For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, approximately $6.3 million, $5.6 million and $8.0 million, respectively, was incurred for executive compensation and other reimbursable expenses and recognized within general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, there was $2.8 million and $2.7 million, respectively, of unpaid reimbursable executive compensation and other expenses included in related-party payable in our consolidated balance sheets.
Equity Awards. In certain instances, we issue RSAs to certain employees of affiliates of our Manager who perform services for us. During the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, we granted 416,780, 924,092 and 226,955 RSAs, respectively, at grant date fair values of $8.4 million, $18.8 million and $4.3 million, respectively. Expenses related to the vesting of awards to employees of affiliates of our Manager were $9.5 million, $8.3 million and $8.7 million during the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and are reflected in general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations. These shares generally vest over a three-year period. Compensation expense related to the ESPP (refer to Note 18) for employees of affiliates of our Manager was not material during the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, and is reflected in general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statement of operations.
Termination Fee. We can terminate the Management Agreement without cause, as defined in the Management Agreement, with an affirmative two-thirds vote by our independent directors and 180 days written notice to our Manager. Upon termination without cause, our Manager is due a termination fee equal to three times the sum of the average annual base management fee and incentive fee earned by our Manager over the preceding eight calendar quarters. No termination fee is payable if our Manager is terminated for cause, as defined in the Management Agreement, which can be done at any time with 30 days written notice from our board of directors.
Manager Equity Plan
In April 2022, the Company’s shareholders approved the Starwood Property Trust, Inc. 2022 Manager Equity Plan (the “2022 Manager Equity Plan”) which replaced the Starwood Property Trust, Inc. 2017 Manager Equity Plan (the “2017 Manager Equity Plan”). In March 2025, we granted 1,350,000 RSUs to our Manager under the 2022 Manager Equity Plan. In March 2024, we granted 1,300,000 RSUs to our Manager under the 2022 Manager Equity Plan. In November 2022, we granted 1,500,000 RSUs to our Manager under the 2022 Manager Equity Plan. In November 2020, we granted 1,800,000 RSUs to our Manager under the 2017 Manager Equity Plan. In connection with these grants and prior similar grants, we recognized share-based compensation expense of $25.6 million, $19.3 million and $18.0 million within management fees in our consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Refer to Note 18 for further discussion.
Investments in Loans and Securities
The following eight related-party loan transactions were each approved by our board of directors, with those affiliated with the related transaction recusing themselves.
We and SEREF, a debt fund that is externally managed by an affiliate of our Manager, owned equal interests in a mezzanine loan on an office portfolio in Ireland, as discussed in Note 5. In December 2025, SEREF sold its €28.4 million interest in the mezzanine loan to the loan’s sponsor for €4.8 million. In connection with that sale, we made a €2.8 million ($3.3 million) non-interest-bearing loan to the sponsor.
In June 2025, we co-originated 49% of a $587.1 million first mortgage loan for the construction of a data center in Herndon, Virginia that is fully leased to an investment grade tenant. Of our $287.7 million share of the total loan commitment, $58.6 million has been funded and is outstanding as of December 31, 2025. The loan has an initial term of four-years with two one-year extension options (subject to certain conditions) and initially bears interest at SOFR plus 3.00%. This pricing was negotiated in a competitive bid process with a third party who is retaining the remaining 51% interest in the loan. The borrower is an affiliate of our Manager. Because of the affiliated interest, we lack certain consent rights under the co-lender agreement.
In May 2025, we co-originated one-third of a $638.5 million first mortgage loan for the construction of a data center in Ashburn, Virginia that is fully leased to an investment grade tenant. Of our $212.8 million share of the total loan commitment, $144.6 million has been funded and is outstanding as of December 31, 2025. The loan has a five-year term and initially bears interest at SOFR (floor of 2.00%) plus 2.50%. This pricing was negotiated in a competitive bid process with other third parties who are retaining the remaining two-thirds interest in the loan. An affiliate of our Manager is general partner of, and holds a 92.5% limited partnership interest in, the borrower. Because of the affiliated interest, we lack certain consent rights under the co-lender agreement.
In January 2025, we co-originated 49% of a $388.4 million first mortgage loan for the construction of a luxury 81 unit condominium project in Miami Beach, Florida. Of our $190.3 million share of the total loan commitment, $72.1 million has been funded and is outstanding as of December 31, 2025. The loan has an initial term of four years with a one-year extension option (subject to certain conditions) and bears interest at SOFR (floor of 3.00%) plus 4.25%. This pricing was negotiated in a competitive bid process with a third party who is retaining the remaining 51% interest in the loan. An affiliate of our Manager is general partner of, and holds a 90% limited partnership interest in, the borrower. Because of the affiliated interest, we lack certain consent rights under the co-lender agreement.
In December 2024, we modified a loan that was originated in March 2022 for the development and recapitalization of a portfolio of luxury rental cabins, where our CEO and another non-independent member of our board of directors own minority equity interests in the borrower. In connection with a new $25.0 million investment in the borrower by a major hotel brand, we granted: (i) a 24-month term extension with a one-year extension option subject to certain conditions and with an extension fee due at maturity, (ii) a 2.25% reduction in the interest rate to SOFR + 4.25%, and (iii) deferral of half of the remaining interest payments until maturity in December 2026. Previous modifications to the loan were as follows: (i) in July 2023, we agreed to a 10-month 300 bps partial interest payment deferral, which in January 2024 was extended to December 2024; and (ii) in June 2024, we deferred all remaining interest payments due under the loan and formally extended its initial maturity until December 2024. The loan had an original commitment of $200.0 million, of which $147.5 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2025. The deferred interest balance was $18.9 million as of December 31, 2025.
In December 2024, we sold participating interests in four commercial loans to a private investment fund for which an affiliate of our Manager is the general partner. The participating interests were sold at par for $40.1 million, along with $15.9 million of future funding commitments. Under a separate arrangement, we are entitled to receive all fees and carried interest distributions with respect to these loan participations from the general partner.
In connection with the May 2024 refinancing of our Medical Office Portfolio, we obtained $450.5 million of securitization debt (“MED 2024-MOB”) and a $39.5 million mezzanine loan (the “Mezz Loan”). The Mezz Loan and the $23.0 million horizontal risk retention certificates of MED 2024-MOB (“HRR”) were funded by affiliates of investment funds which are managed by the real estate investment firm for which one of our independent directors is co-founder and co-chief executive officer. One of such affiliates also serves as controlling class representative of MED 2024-MOB. Both the Mezz Loan and the HRR bear interest at SOFR + 5.50% and have an initial term of two years, followed by three successive one-year extension options. The final structure and cost of debt for this refinancing was selected after a competitive marketing process led by a third party broker. Subsequent to year end, we prepaid the entirety of the $39.5 million Mezz Loan at par plus accrued interest.
In April 2024, we acquired from Starwood Real Estate Income Trust, Inc. (“SREIT”), an affiliate of our Manager, a £176.0 million ($219.8 million) first mortgage loan participation on a portfolio of vacation cottages, caravan homes and resorts across the United Kingdom at its fair value, determined as par less a 1.0% discount. The loan bears interest at SONIA + 5.40% and matures in February 2026 with two one-year extension options. Prior to acquisition, we had an existing participation in this loan, of which the outstanding balance was £352.0 million. In August 2025, the loan was repaid in full.
In July 2024, we purchased all the controlling class certificates in the newly-formed Freddie Mac multifamily mortgage trust, FREMF 2024-KF163 (the “Trust”), for their aggregate principal amount of $77.1 million. The certificates have a pass-through interest rate of one-month SOFR + 6.00% and an expected final distribution date in May 2034. As of December 31, 2025, the Trust holds 24 SOFR based floating rate multifamily mortgage loans with a total principal balance of approximately $1.0 billion, of which affiliates of our Manager are borrowers under 11 of those loans totaling approximately $495.0 million. As directing certificate holder, we are considered the primary beneficiary of, and therefore consolidate the Trust as a securitization VIE. However, while we are able to appoint and remove the special servicer of the unaffiliated loans in the VIE, we cannot name ourselves or an affiliate as special servicer, and we cannot remove or direct the third party special servicer with respect to the affiliate loans.
In December 2012, we acquired 9,140,000 ordinary shares in SEREF, a debt fund that is externally managed by an affiliate of our Manager and is listed on the London Stock Exchange, for approximately $14.7 million, which equated to approximately 4% ownership of SEREF. During the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, 3,944,520, 2,767,038 and 1,892,313 shares were redeemed by SEREF, for proceeds of $5.1 million, $3.7 million and $2.5 million, respectively, leaving 536,129 shares held as of December 31, 2025. As of December 31, 2025, our shares represent an approximate 2.3% interest in SEREF. Refer to Note 6 for additional details.
We hold a 0.54% equity interest in a data center business in Ireland that had a carrying value of $7.7 million as of December 31, 2025. An investment fund and certain other entities affiliated with our Manager exercise a combined 50% voting interest in this entity. During the year ended December 31, 2025, our ownership interest was diluted from 0.72% to 0.54% due to equity contributions made to the entity by affiliates of our Manager. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we contributed an additional $0.3 million.
In February 2019, we acquired a $60.0 million participation in a $925.0 million first priority infrastructure term loan. In April 2019 and July 2019, we acquired participations of $5.0 million and $16.0 million, respectively, in a $350.0 million upsize to the term loan. The loan was secured by four domestic natural gas power plants. An affiliate of our Manager, Starwood Energy Group (which became Lotus Infrastructure Partners effective January 1, 2023), was the borrower under the term loan. In August 2024, the term loan was repaid in full.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we entered into a stock transfer, termination and release agreement in which we sold the entirety of our equity interest in a residential mortgage originator to a third party.
In August 2023, we received a $29.4 million final repayment on a $339.2 million first mortgage and mezzanine loan that was originated in August 2017 related to an office campus located in Irvine, California. An affiliate of our Manager has a non-controlling equity interest in the borrower.
We co-originate, along with certain investment funds affiliated with our Manager, various foreign currency denominated loans to third party borrowers in which each lender holds a separate portion of the loan. The loans are independently underwritten and legally separate, and the transaction is directly between us and the third party borrower. As a result, we do not consider these to be related party transactions.
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities
In April 2013, in connection with our acquisition of LNR, we acquired 50% of a joint venture which owns equity in an online real estate company. An affiliate of our Manager, Starwood Distressed Opportunity Fund IX owns the remaining 50% of the venture.
Lease Arrangements
In March 2020, we entered into an office lease agreement with an entity which is controlled by our Chairman and CEO through majority equity ownership of the entity. The leased premises serve as our new Miami Beach office following the expiration of our former lease in Miami Beach. The lease, as amended in September 2022, is for 64,424 square feet of office space, commenced July 1, 2022 and has an initial term of 15 years from the monthly lease payment commencement date of
November 1, 2022. The lease payments are based on an annual base rate of $52.00 per square foot that increases by 3% each November, plus our pro rata share of building operating expenses. Prior to the execution of this lease, we engaged an independent third party leasing firm and external counsel to advise the independent directors of our board of directors on market terms for the lease.  The terms of the lease and subsequent amendment were approved by our independent directors. In April 2020 we provided a $1.9 million cash security deposit to the landlord.
During the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, we made payments to the landlord under the terms of the lease of $7.1 million, $6.5 million and $6.6 million, respectively, for rent, parking and our pro rata share of building operating expenses. During the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, we recognized $7.6 million, $7.0 million and $7.2 million, respectively, of expenses with respect to this lease within general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we made payments to the landlord under the terms of the lease of $1.3 million for reimbursements relating to tenant improvements (none during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024).

Acquisitions from Consolidated CMBS Trusts

Our Investing and Servicing Segment acquires interests in properties for its REIS Equity Portfolio and also loans from CMBS trusts, some of which are consolidated as VIEs on our balance sheet. Acquisitions from consolidated VIEs are reflected as repayment of debt of consolidated VIEs in our consolidated statements of cash flows. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we acquired an operating property from a CMBS trust that we consolidate as a VIE for a purchase price of $7.7 million. There were no assets acquired from consolidated CMBS trusts during the years end December 31, 2025 and 2023.
Other Related-Party Arrangements
During the year ended December 31, 2016, we established a co-investment fund which provides key personnel with the opportunity to invest in certain properties included in our REIS Equity Portfolio. These personnel include certain of our employees as well as employees of affiliates of our Manager (collectively, “Fund Participants”). The fund carries an aggregate commitment of $15.0 million and owns a 10% equity interest in certain REIS Equity Portfolio properties acquired subsequent to January 1, 2015. As of December 31, 2025, Fund Participants have funded $4.9 million of the capital commitment, and it is our current expectation that there will be no additional funding of the commitment. The capital contributed by Fund Participants is reflected on our consolidated balance sheets as non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries. In an effort to retain key personnel, the fund provides for disproportionate distributions which allows Fund Participants to earn an incremental 60% on all operating cash flows attributable to their capital account, net of a 5% preferred return to us as general partner of the fund. Amounts earned by Fund Participants pursuant to this waterfall are reflected within net income attributable to non-controlling interests in our consolidated statements of operations. During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the non-controlling interests related to this fund received cash distributions of $1.1 million and $1.9 million, respectively. There were no such cash distributions during the year ended December 31, 2025.
In August 2025, we entered into a shared services agreement with Starwood Capital Group Management, L.L.C. (“SCG Management”), that governs the reimbursement arrangements for SCG Management and its affiliates when our employees or contractors provide services to those entities. The agreement is effective as of January 2, 2024. The reimbursement parameters were informed by a transfer pricing study conducted by a third party. Amounts previously billed to SCG Management have been adjusted in accordance with the terms of this agreement as of the August 2025 execution date. The final amounts billed in accordance with the agreement are $4.4 million with respect to the year ended December 31, 2024 and $3.7 million with respect to the year ended December 31, 2025, of which $1.8 million is reflected as a receivable within other assets in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2025.

In March 2025, an affiliate of our Manager acquired Worldwide Mission Critical (“Worldwide”), an entity which provides asset management services for loans secured by data center projects, including construction loans. Prior to Worldwide’s acquisition by our Manager, we entered into a $0.3 million contract with Worldwide to provide services on a $550.0 million construction loan that was originated by us during the year ended December 31, 2025. During the year ended December 31, 2025, we incurred $0.2 million of costs related to this contract.

Essex Title, LLC (“Essex”), which is majority-owned by Starwood Capital Group as a limited partner, acts as an agent for one or more underwriters in issuing title policies and/or providing support services related to investments by the Company, its affiliates and other third parties. Essex earns fees, which would have otherwise been paid to third parties, by providing title agency services and facilitating the placement of title insurance with underwriters. During the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, we paid $0.4 million and $1.7 million, respectively, of fees relating to such services provided by Essex. There were no such fees paid for these services during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Highmark Residential (“Highmark”), an affiliate of our Manager, provides property management services for properties within our Woodstar I and Woodstar II Portfolios. Fees paid to Highmark are calculated as a percentage of gross receipts and are at market terms. During the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, property management fees to Highmark of $7.1 million, $6.5 million and $6.0 million, respectively, were recognized within our Woodstar Portfolios.