NEW YORK— A new investment powerhouse with deep pockets has burst onto the hotel scene making one impressive acquisition already and leading industry spectators to reason that more such deals will follow. MSD Capital, a group formed by personal computer pioneer and Dell Computer Corp. Chairman and CEO Michael S. Dell, recently purchased the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea Hotel for reportedly close to $250 million. MSD executives would not comment on the deal or the company’s future investment plans, however industry watchers believe strongly that this purchase is just one of more to come in the lodging arena. In fact, specifically to support its commercial real estate investments, MSD recently opened a Los Angeles, CA office and hired Barry Sholem, former chairman and co-founder of DLJ Real Estate Capital Partners, to lead the company’s new real estate investment group overseeing a commitment of more than $1 billion in capital. Over the course of his 24-year career, Sholem has overseen real estate acquisitions valued in excess of $6 billion, and has worked with international real estate investors, developers and property companies. In 1995, he co-founded DLJ Real Estate Capital Partners. Sholem’s objective is to identify investments requiring a minimum of $25 million in equity capital, although the firm said it would consider smaller sizes. MSD Capital is looking to offer a more patient and user-friendly co-investment vehicle for real estate operating, the company said. MSD picked a high-profile property to use as its entrance into the lodging arena. The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea is a AAA Five Diamond resort located on 15 oceanfront acres and is home to Ferraro’s, Spago and Pacific Grill.