Disposal
LONDONMETRIC SELLS HARLOW
DISTRIBUTION FACILITY FOR £37.2 MILLION
LondonMetric Property Plc ("LondonMetric" or "Company" or "Group") announces that it has exchanged on the sale of the 268,000 sq ft Brake Bros Ltd. distribution facility in Harlow to Tritax Big Box REIT plc for £37.2 million (LondonMetric's share: £18.6 million).
The property, which was built in 1989, is owned in a 50:50 joint venture between LondonMetric and Green Park and was acquired in August 2011 for £22.9 million. Last year, LondonMetric accepted a surrender of the 16.8 acre site from Tesco and completed the re-letting to Brake Bros Ltd. on a new 25 year lease subject to RPI uplifts of between 0 - 5.0% pa every 5 years.
The current passing rent is £1.8 million pa which will be 'topped' up to the next rent review, reflecting a 5.0% NIY to the purchaser.
Following this disposal, LondonMetric's distribution portfolio (including developments) totals £598.1 million in 22 distribution centres with a WAULT of 14.4 years and with 51.0% of income subject to fixed uplift or RPI increases. The distribution portfolio is now the Group's largest sector representing over 45% of the total portfolio.
Acquisition of Brake Bros Distribution Centre
ACQUISITION OF BRAKE BROS LTD DISTRIBUTION CENTRE, FLEX MEADOW, HARLOW FOR £37.2 MILLION
The Board of Tritax Big Box REIT plc (ticker: BBOX) is pleased to announce that it has exchanged contracts on a regional distribution centre at Flex Meadow, Harlow, let to Brake Bros Ltd ("Brake Bros"), for a purchase price of £37.2 million (net of acquisition costs), which reflects a net initial yield of 5.0%. The purchase has been funded out of equity proceeds, with senior debt finance expected to be introduced in the near term. Completion is expected to take place in June 2015.
The asset is strategically positioned in a core South East location, close to the M11, the M25 and Central London, providing distribution reach across the South East. It is currently undergoing a comprehensive refurbishment programme (fully financed by the tenant) and comprises a rentalised area of approximately 268,000 sq. ft., a low site cover of 37%, and features cross dock loading and a temperature controlled environment.
It is being acquired from LondonMetric Property Plc with an unexpired lease term of approximately 24.5 years, subject to five yearly upward only rent reviews indexed to RPI, and capped at 5% p.a. compound.