Bill Gates’ firm Cascade Investment LLC will buy a majority stake in the Four Seasons hotel chain for $2.21 billion from Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal’s. This deal takes up Gates’ ownership from 47.5% to 71.25% and values the Four Seasons at $10 billion in enterprise value. While the deal is expected to close in January 2022, Isadore Sharp, Four Seasons Chairman, will retain his 5% stake. In 2007, Alwaleed collaborated with the Microsoft Founder for shared ownership of the Four Seasons with a deal to take the hotel chain private. Back then, Four Seasons managed 74 hotels when it agreed to be acquired by Gates and Alwaleed. Today, it operates 121 properties, with more than 50 projects in the pipeline.
