Hammerson plc has exchanged contracts with AXA IM - Real Assets for the sale of a 75% stake in the Parisian shopping destination Italie Deux, and the forward sale of 75% of the Italik extension for a total of €473m. The disposal reflects a 4.1% net initial yield on Italie Deux. The total sale price represents a 8.5% discount to December 2018 book value and marginally below end of June 2019 book value. As part of this transaction, Hammerson will complete the Italik extension, with a projected cost to complete of c.€20m (£18m) as at 30th June 2019, in addition to other committed refurbishment works.
Italie Deux is located on the left bank of Paris and provides a unique mix of retail, leisure and cultural space. Welcoming over 12m visitors a year, leading brands within the flagship destination include Printemps, Fnac, Zara, Sephora and Carrefour. A 1,000-seat theatre, Le 13ème Art, also opened in the centre in September 2017, offering a new cultural scene in Paris. A partnership has recently been signed with one of the main theatres in Paris, le Théâtre de la Ville.
The 6,400m² Italik extension will deliver a further 1,900m² of retail, 1,800m² of F&B, 1,500m² of co-working and innovative activities, and 1,200m2 of events and leisure space. Italik is due to open in September 2020 and is already 41% pre-let. Closing of the transaction relating to the extension will take place 18 months after the extension completes.
David Atkins, Hammerson Chief Executive, said: “This transaction provides an opportunity to realise substantial disposal proceeds whilst also retaining an interest in a high-quality European destination with a long term partner. Our number one priority is to reduce debt and build balance sheet strength. This transaction means we have reached over 90% of our 2019 disposal target. We are in advanced negotiations on additional asset sales and the creation of this joint venture once again highlights the appetite for investors to partner with skilled sector specialists.”
John O’Driscoll, European Head of Transactions at AXA IM - Real Assets added: “This transaction provides us with a fantastic opportunity to secure access, on behalf of clients, to a prime central Paris retail destination. Italie Deux is a major, well-anchored shopping centre with an attractive catchment and strong track record of performance located in a key global city. While we have seen a build-up of increasingly negative sentiment toward the retail sector where all assets, regardless of their operational performance and other compelling fundamentals, are viewed similarly, we believe that shopping centres with characteristics such as these will maintain their relevant position in the retail universe over the long term. We are delighted to be working with the Hammerson team to realise the significant future potential of this asset.”
