Atrium European Real Estate Limited
EANS-Adhoc: Atrium European Real Estate Limited
ATRIUM COMPLETES THE E191
MILLION ACQUISITION OF PALÁC FLÓRA IN PRAGUE
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27.09.2011
ATRIUM COMPLETES THE E191 MILLION ACQUISITION OF PALÁC FLÓRA IN PRAGUE
-Czech portfolio reaches 98 properties after Prague's largest real estate
transaction in 2011-
Jersey, 27 September 2011. Atrium European Real Estate Limited ("Atrium" or the
"Company") (VSE/Euronext: ATRS), one of the leading real estate companies
focused on shopping centre investment, management and development in Central and
Eastern Europe, announces that it has acquired the Palác Flóra shopping centre
in Prague for E191million from its two previous owners, AFI Europe and Avestus
Capital Partners. The acquisition, which was financed through a mixture of
equity and debt, is in line with Atrium's strategy of acquiring prime, income
producing, supermarket anchored shopping centres in the tier one cities of its
target 'A' rated and above markets of Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia.
Palác Flóra is one of the prime shopping centres in Prague and this acquisition
is the largest real estate transaction in the Czech capital this year. The
37,600sqm gross lettable area ("GLA") property was opened in 2003 and comprises
20,000sqm of retail, which is 100% let, and 17,600sqm of offices, which are
99.1% let, over a four-floor underground car park. It is well located in an
affluent residential area with excellent transport links that include its own
Metro subway station. The Company believes that Palác Flóra will benefit from
the operational efficiencies and economies of scale made available from being
integrated into Atrium's wider portfolio.
As a result of the acquisition the value of Atrium's income producing portfolio
increases to ca. E2.0billion, of which 75% by value is situated in 'A-' or above
rated countries. Further, the Czech Republic, the highest rated country in
Atrium's markets, at A+ /Positive, now accounts for around 23% of the Company's
total portfolio by value; meaning it becomes Atrium's second largest market
after Poland at 46% (A- Stable). In addition, Atrium's exposure to the Czech
Republic's largest two cities, Prague and Brno, has increased to 68% of the
Czech portfolio.
The retail element of the centre attracts an annual footfall of over eight
million visitors and comprises 130 units across four levels. It is anchored by
a 1,840sqm Ahold owned Albert supermarket and an eight screen Cinema City,
together with a 3DImax, whilst being fully let to a strong mix of international
and local brands including Reserved, Cottonfield, Gant, Intersport, Lacoste,
Levis, Miss Sixty, Pepe, Sergio Tacchini, Triumph and Vodafone.
Palác Flóra also offers three separate towers of prime office space. One of the
towers has a roof terrace on the top floor, while each tower has its own lobby
and comprises five floors with standard floor plates of around 1,900 sqm. It is
let to a range of international and local businesses, including Danone, Xerox,
and Exxon Mobil.
Palác Flóra is located in the district of Vinohrady (Prague 3), one of Prague´s
most affluent residential districts, approximately two kilometres from the
centre. In addition to a dedicated 'Flóra' Metro (subway) station leading
straight into the centre, the mall benefits from excellent bus and tram
connections located at its street level entrance. It is also well positioned at
the intersection of two main roads which connect it to the city centre and the
surrounding suburbs.
Commenting on the acquisition, Rachel Lavine, CEO of Atrium said: "This
transaction is another significant step in Atrium's growth and means that we now
have 98 properties in the Czech Republic. Palác Flóra fits all the criteria we
look for in an acquisition, being well located in a capital or tier one city,
and fully let to a strong tenant base providing highly visible and secure
income. It is also in one of our target markets and further increases the
weight of income Atrium derives from 'A' rated countries.
"We believe that by bringing Palác Flóra under the Atrium management "Umbrella"
we will be able to further improve its performance due to the economies of scale
available from being part of Atrium's wider portfolio and from the asset
management expertise our team is able to provide."
For further information:
FTI Consulting Inc: +44 (0)20 7831 3113
Richard Sunderland
Laurence Jones
Will Henderson
richard.sunderland@fticonsulting.com
Atrium in the Czech Republic
Prior to the acquisition of Palac Flora, Atrium owned 97 shopping centres in the
Czech Republic, with a market value of approximately E248 million, as at 30 June
2011, and a gross lettable area of over 333,000sqm. Atrium's Czech portfolio
generated around E25.5 million / Czech Koruna 618 million of Gross Rental Income
("GRI") in 2010 and E13.1million / Czech Koruna 320 million in the first half of
2011. The Czech Republic was Atrium's third largest market, after Poland and
Russia, delivering a 17% share of the Group's total GRI.
In the Czech Republic, Atrium also co-owns the 33,500 sqm Futurum Brno, a
portfolio of Interspar hypermarkets and retail parks (such as those in
Pardubice, Stare Mesto, Frydek Mistek), self standing supermarkets (Albert,
Billa, Lidl) and number of neighbourhood and convenience centres spread across
the whole country.
About Atrium European Real Estate Limited
Atrium is a leading real estate company focused on shopping centre investment,
management and development in Central and Eastern Europe. As at 30 June 2011 the
Group owned 153 shopping centres, with a market value of E1.77 billion,
diversified across eight countries with a total gross lettable area of 1.14
million sqm. At the same time the Company had a cash position of E210 million
against borrowings of E453 million.
Gross rental income from investment properties for the year ended 31 December
2010 was E151.5 million and was E85.1 million for the six months to 30 June
2011, while net rental income for the same periods was E134.4 million and E78.0
million (up 19.4% over H12010) respectively. The operating margin at 30 June
2011 was 91.7% compared to the full year 2010 figure of 88.8% and around 81% in
2009 and 71% in 2008, when the current management began running the company.
Geographically, the Group's focus is principally concentrated in Poland, the
Czech Republic and Russia with a presence in Hungary, Romania, Latvia and
Slovakia. In addition, the Company has a development portfolio with a market
value of E615 million as at 30 June 2011.
The Company is based in Jersey and dual listed on the Vienna and Euronext
Amsterdam Stock Exchanges under the ticker ATRS.
This press release appears as a matter of record only and does not constitute an
offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any security.
Atrium is established as a closed-end investment company domiciled in Jersey.
Atrium is registered with the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets as a
collective investment scheme which may offer participations in The Netherlands
pursuant to article 2:66 of the Financial Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel
toezicht). All investments are subject to risk. Past performance is no guarantee
of future returns. The value of investments may fluctuate. Results achieved in
the past are no guarantee of future results. The Dutch and Austrian paying agent
of Atrium is Kempen & Co. N.V., Beethovenstraat 300, 1077 WZ Amsterdam, the
Netherlands.
Further inquiry note:
Financial Dynamics, London
Richard Sunderland / Laurence Jones
Phone: +44 (0)20 7831 3113
richard.sunderland@fticonsulting.com
end of announcement euro adhoc
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issuer: Atrium European Real Estate Limited
Seaton Place 11-15
UK-JE4 0QH St Helier Jersey / Channel Islands
phone: +44 (0)20 7831 3113
mail: Richard.sunderland@fd.com
WWW: http://www.aere.com
sector: Real Estate
ISIN: JE00B3DCF752
indexes: Standard Market Continuous
stockmarkets: official market: Wien
language: English