
Portfolio Acquisition News
Ares Management is in discussions to purchase £200 million worth of UK commercial properties from St. James's Place, which is part of a larger £1.8 billion portfolio sale. This move is part of Ares' strategy to grow its real estate holdings and take advantage of market opportunities. The deal underscores Ares' commitment to strengthening its footprint in the UK commercial real estate sector.

Portfolio Acquisition
TPG Real Estate is close to finalizing a £650 million deal to acquire a portfolio of 55 industrial and logistics properties from Columbia Threadneedle. These assets are strategically positioned near major London airports, enhancing their logistical value. This acquisition highlights TPG's strategic expansion in the UK logistics sector.

Retail Acquisition
A private client has purchased Stane Retail Park in Colchester from Churchmanor Estates Company for £33.95 million. The retail park, which opened in phases between October 2021 and October 2022, includes 123,637 sq ft of retail space and is anchored by an 80,000 sq ft M&S store. This acquisition represents a significant investment in the retail sector, demonstrating ongoing demand for high-quality retail properties.

Residential Acquisition
Buccleuch Property and Packaged Living have purchased a development site in Woolwich for a £40 million co-living project. The site, which currently hosts a mixed-use commercial property, will be redeveloped into 150 co-living units to meet the high demand for rental housing in London. This acquisition is the third joint venture between the two companies, following successful projects in Basingstoke and Sheffield.

Hospitality Refinance
Arc & Co and Atlas Capital Partners have arranged a £59 million loan to refinance the bank debt on a portfolio of UK hotels. This new financing will enable value-adding initiatives, including brand enhancements, over the next two years. The deal underscores the strong financial strategy and growth potential of the hotel assets involved.

London Office Auction
Acuitus has successfully auctioned a 16,025 sq ft office building at 73-77 Endell Street in Covent Garden for £5.46 million. The property, leased to Claremorris Properties Ltd until July 2081, drew considerable interest due to its prime location and long-term lease. This transaction underscores the strong demand for centrally located commercial properties in London.

Hospitality Acquisition
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts Group has purchased the Ruby Hotel chain, a distinguished European brand, for €110.5 million. This acquisition includes three hotels located in London, enhancing IHG's portfolio with Ruby's unique "Lean Luxury" concept. This strategic move marks IHG's 20th brand, appealing to modern, lifestyle-focused travelers.

Office Acquisition
Feldberg Capital's Cora Fund has purchased Ariel House, a 23,820 sq ft office building in London's Fitzrovia, for £29 million. This acquisition is the third for the Cora Fund, which aims to transform outdated office spaces into environmentally friendly, sustainable workplaces. The investment supports Feldberg Capital's mission to reduce carbon emissions in real estate and promote green building practices.

Office Acquisition
Ekistics Property Advisors has bought the 3 St Paul’s Place office building in Sheffield from M&G Real Estate for £16.8 million. This nine-storey, Grade A building spans 76,460 sq ft and is almost fully occupied, situated near the "Heart of the City" regeneration area. This acquisition is Ekistics' first in Sheffield and aligns with their broader UK investment strategy.

Office Development Loan
Helical and Places for London have obtained a £125 million financing package from HSBC to develop 10 King William Street, an office building situated above Bank station. This project, the first of three in their joint venture, will provide 139,000 sq ft of office space, including terraces and retail areas. Scheduled for completion in December 2026, the development aims to achieve top sustainability certifications like BREEAM Outstanding and WELL Platinum.

LIFE SCIENE DEVELOPMENT LOAN
Riverlabs has obtained a £46 million loan from Puma Property Finance to develop a 90,000 sq ft life science campus in Hertfordshire. This project will retrofit a high-specification laboratory building originally constructed by GlaxoSmithKline. The new campus aims to offer flexible, sustainable units with low operating costs, catering to various R&D and biotech organizations.

Industrial Portfolio Sale
Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) has purchased nine industrial and logistics properties in the UK, totaling 840,000 sq ft, for £50 million. These acquisitions were completed through four separate transactions and include assets in key urban locations such as Reading, Birmingham, Sheffield, Newcastle, Hull, Manchester, and Merseyside. The properties were acquired via ICG's Metropolitan platform, which targets prime locations and high-quality tenants.


Retail Portfolio Acquisition
AshbyCapital has sold its UK retail parks to Realty Income, a real estate investment trust from the US, for around £220 million. The sale includes three retail parks located in Swansea, Leeds, and Glasgow. This acquisition helps Realty Income strengthen its foothold in the UK market.

Student Housing Acquisition
Goldman Sachs Alternatives and Generation Partners have purchased two student accommodation properties in Cardiff and Bournemouth for £110 million. The properties include the 430-bed Skyline development in Bournemouth and the 477-bed Bridge Street Exchange in Cardiff. This acquisition underscores their ongoing commitment to investing in the UK student housing sector, aiming to improve the quality of student living. Savills assisted the sale of the portfolio.

London Office Development
British Land and GIC's Broadgate REIT have teamed up with Modon from Abu Dhabi to develop a new office space at 2 Finsbury Avenue in London. The project will feature two high-rise towers and a 12-storey podium, covering a total of 750,000 square feet, and is expected to be completed by 2027. Ownership will be split, with British Land and GIC each holding 25%, and Modon owning the remaining share.

Industrial Acquisition
Mapletree has made its first foray into the UK logistics market by acquiring the Derby logistics facility from GXO Logistics, Inc. for £86 million. This acquisition is a strategic move to bolster Mapletree's logistics presence in Europe. The Derby facility will enhance Mapletree's ability to deliver top-notch logistics services in the UK.

Office Development
Drum Property Group has unveiled plans for a £200 million overhaul of Lloyds Banking Group's Edinburgh headquarters at the Port Hamilton building. This major pre-letting deal will convert the site into a cutting-edge innovation hub. The redevelopment, slated for completion by 2027, aims to provide a modern and eco-friendly workspace for Lloyds Banking Group.