Kennedy Wilson Europe Real Estate Plc (LSE: KWE) has achieved a milestone at its Baggot Plaza, Dublin 4 office development, reaching practical completion and handing the building over to the Governor and Company of the Bank of Ireland (“Bank of Ireland”).
In May 2015, KWE entered into an agreement for lease with Bank of Ireland for a new 25-year lease for the entire building, at a headline rent of €47.5/ft² (€511.3/m²), with a tenant break option at year 20 and a rent free period from practical completion of 11 months.
Baggot Plaza is a key property in KWE’s Dublin CBD office portfolio, which includes 10 offices, totalling 600,000ft² (55,742m²), with an aggregate portfolio value of €496.2m. This portfolio is 99% occupied with a WAULT of 12 years (14.3 years to expiry). KWE’s broader Dublin office portfolio, including its offices in the South Dublin suburbs, encompasses a total of 15 offices over 900,000ft² (83,613m²), with an aggregate portfolio value of €589.9m, generating an NOI of €29.6m. This wider Dublin office portfolio is 95% occupied with a WAULT of 10.7 years (13.5 years to expiry).
Mary Ricks, president and CEO of Kennedy Wilson Europe, commented: “To deliver such a comprehensive redevelopment on time in only 15 months and to be able to come within budget, given all the supply side constraints in the Dublin construction market, is a significant achievement by our development team.
“Our Dublin office portfolio has high occupancy with robust long-term income to excellent covenants in desirable locations in Dublin’s CBD and South suburbs. While it is too early to assess the speed and magnitude of UK’s decision to exit the EU, Dublin is well placed to benefit from job relocations or new foreign direct investment opportunities that may arise.”
Peter McKenna, head of development for Kennedy Wilson Europe, commented: “We have worked in partnership with the Bank of Ireland and John Sisk & Sons, our main contractor, to ensure that all the teams could meet the aggressive practical completion deadline.
“We are pleased to have facilitated the Bank of Ireland’s teams to commence fit out works in conjunction with our construction to facilitate early access.”
