REG - Great Portland Ests. - GPE sells 12/14 New Fetter Lane <Origin Href="QuoteRef">GPOR.L</Origin>

Great Portland EstatesAnnouncement

10/11/2014 09:54

RNS Number : 5318W
Great Portland Estates PLC
10 November 2014
GPE sells 12/14 New Fetter Lane, EC4 to TIAA Henderson Real Estate 
10 November 2014
Great Portland Estates plc ("GPE") has exchanged contracts to sell its 151 year leasehold interest in 12/14 New Fetter Lane, EC4 to TIAA Henderson Real Estate ("TH Real Estate") for a price of 165.8m, reflecting a yield of 4.5%.
The 142,500 sq. ft. office development is under construction with practical completion ("PC") expected in Q4 2015. The scheme is fully pre-let to Bird & Bird LLP ("Bird & Bird") for 20.25 years from PC. Bird & Bird's gross rent is 8.28m per annum (subject to final measurement on PC) which reflects 58.11 per sq. ft. overall and 64.50 per sq. ft. on the best space. 
TH Real Estate will acquire the site from GPE, subject only to freeholder City Corporation's consent, and will thereafter fund all development costs up to a maximum of 165.8m.  The site price will be 92.8m assuming completion at 1 December 2014, which is 12.4m (15.5%) ahead of GPE's March 2014 valuation, adjusted for capital expenditure. TH Real Estate will receive a deduction from the final price in lieu of interest on their capital outlay until PC at a rate of 4.5% pa. Based on the current cost and programme, GPE will also receive a final payment of 5.1m on PC.
Toby Courtauld said, "This sale continues our strategy of recycling capital out of assets, where we have created significant value and back into our exciting 2.2m sq. ft. development programme. 12/14 New Fetter Lane has been an exceptional project for us. Having secured an attractive planning permission, re-geared the headlease with the City Corporation and fully pre-let the building, this sale crystallises a return on capital since committing to the scheme of 82.7% and an unlevered IRR of 55.1%."
Anthony Butler, TH Real Estate, commented: "This acquisition is in-line with our investment programme in Europe. We are extremely pleased to enter this partnership with one of the UK's best developers."
Great Portland Estates plc
Toby Courtauld - Chief Executive 020 7647 3042 
Neil Thompson - Portfolio Director 020 7647 3029 
Nick Sanderson - Finance Director 020 7647 3034
Finsbury 
James Murgatroyd020 7251 3801
Gordon Simpson 

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