GIC acquires 25.1% stake in $4 bil Sydney office property trust
SINGAPORE (Aug 19): Sovereign wealth fund GIC announced Monday it is acquiring a 25.1% stake in Lendlease International Towers Sydney Trust (LLITST) from Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Australia-listed Lendlease Group.
Established in 2012, the trust holds assets located in the Barangaroo Office Precinct in the Sydney Central Business District (CBD).
LLITST holds a 100% per cent interest two commercial towers: International Towers Sydney – Tower Two and International Towers Sydney – Tower Three.
The properties are highly-accessible premium grade office towers, with close proximity to Darling Harbour and extensive amenities.
LLITST also holds a 100% interest in Australia's first engineered timber office, International House Sydney at Barangaroo South, and the Towns Place Car Park.
While GIC did not reveal how much it is forking out for the 25.1% stake, LLITST is valued at A$4.3 billion ($4 billion), according to Landlease’s website.
“These high-quality assets, situated in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, are expected to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns in the long run. As a long-term investor, we will continue to seek good investment opportunities that will add value to our global portfolio,” says Lee Kok Sun, chief investment officer of GIC Real Estate.
The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and expected to fully close in 3Q19.
