The Swedish Competition Authority approves Blackstone's acquisition of a warehouse and logistics portfolio from Castellum

GÖTEBORG, Sweden, Jan. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Castellum Aktiebolag (publ) ("Castellum") notes that the Swedish Competition Authority has granted regulatory competition approval for Blackstone's acquisition of a portfolio of 214 income-producing warehouse and logistics assets from Castellum for SEK 18.1 billion, that was announced on December 18, 2020. The assets will be incorporated into Blackstone's pan-European last mile logistics platform, Mileway.

Further to the announcement made on December 18, 2020, regarding the sale of a mature and stabilized asset portfolio to real estate funds managed by Blackstone, Castellum notes that the regulatory approval from the Swedish Competition Authority has been obtained. As previously announced the sale will take place in two tranches; a first tranche, constituting 39 properties, for net proceeds of SEK 5.0 billion, expected to close on or around February 5, 2021, and a second tranche, constituting 175 properties, for net proceeds of SEK 13.1 billion, which is expected to close in the end of the first quarter or in the beginning of the second quarter 2021. The second tranche is subject to the successful completion of Castellum's voluntary share exchange and cash offer on Entra ASA ("Entra") as announced on December 18, 2020.

The sale of the asset portfolio creates high value for Castellum's shareholders. The valuation of the property portfolio exceeds the most recent valuation of the properties by 20%, implies an exit yield of 4.7% and is expected to increase Castellum's EPRA NRV by approximately SEK 8 per share upon completion of both tranches of the transaction. Following a successful combination with Entra, Castellum will in due course evaluate its capital position. If there is surplus capital, Castellum will consider a return of capital to its shareholders.

Castellum will remain an active owner in the warehouse and logistics segment and retain a dedicated asset management platform with a significant exposure to 40 warehouse and logistics assets on balance sheet and development projects, including the largest one at Castellum Säve (previously Säve Airport) with an investment pipeline of approximately SEK 10 billion. The retained income-producing warehousing and logistic portfolio represents approximately SEK 5 billion of asset value and approximately SEK 300 million in annual rental value.

Additionally, Castellum has completed a number of strategic acquisitions which anchor the company's position as a proactive player within Swedish logistics. Recent acquisitions include the logistics hub Brunna outside Stockholm and four acquisitions of logistics properties in the expanding region of Öresund. The transactions are part of the strategy to modernise Castellum's logistics offering and enable continued investments into the development pipeline of logistics properties.

The development projects, expected to be completed over the next several years, will provide an additional lettable area of approximately 1 million square meters, including 800,000 square meters at Castellum Säve. Castellum's ongoing presence in the warehouse and logistics segment will provide significant future growth potential, including upside from developments.

Transaction summary

Castellum divests 214 properties

Sale price: SEK 18.1 billion after deduction of deferred tax of approximately SEK 900 million

Rental value: SEK 1,200 million

Occupancy rate: 92%

Total lettable area: 1,265,150 square meters
 

For further information please contact:
Henrik Saxborn, CEO Castellum AB, +46 706 947450
Ulrika Danielsson, CFO Castellum AB, +46 706 471261

About Castellum
Castellum is one of the Nordic region's largest listed real estate companies with a property value of SEK 98 billion. We are active in 17 Swedish growth regions as well as in Copenhagen and Helsinki. Every day, 250,000 people go to work in our premises. We develop flexible workplaces and logistics solutions with a lettable area of 4.3 million square meters. One of our sustainability goals is to be entirely climate neutral by 2030. Castellum is the only Nordic real estate company selected by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI). The Castellum share is listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm Large Cap.

Beyond expectations.
www.castellum.se

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