Panattoni Europe has disposed of two portfolios of logistics assets located in Poland, totalling 402,000 m² of space to affiliates of LogiCor, the pan-European logistics platform established by real estate funds managed by affiliates of The Blackstone Group L.P. (NYSE:BX).

The first transaction closed in October 2012 and consisted of four projects located in Poland’s key logistics markets, totalling 218,000 m² of space. The projects were previously held by a joint-venture between Panattoni and another investor. Bank Pekao S.A. provided the debt financing for the acquisition as a sole lender.

The second transaction closed in December 2012 and consisted of a portfolio of nine newly-built logistics assets throughout Poland, totalling 184,000 m². The portfolio was co-developed with Pramerica Real Estate Investors, the European arm of the U.S.-based Prudential Financial, Inc.’s real estate investment management and advisory business. German bank Helaba (Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen) provided the debt financing for the acquisition as a sole lender.

Robert Dobrzycki, Managing Partner for Central Europe at Panattoni Europe comments: “We are extremely happy to see that, due to its fundamentals, the Polish industrial real estate sector continues to perform well and attracts property investments. Together with our partners, we have delivered strategically located, great quality, modern industrial properties that generated interest from such a reputable investor as Blackstone. We are also happy that Blackstone acknowledged the quality of our management platform and decided to retain Panattoni as the asset and property manager.”

Ben Penaliggon, Director of European Funds at Pramerica comments: “The sale of these assets crystalizes a successful joint venture with Panattoni and further confirms the ability of Pramerica to source and invest in select opportunities across Europe that deliver attractive returns to investors, especially on a risk-adjusted basis.”

LogiCor, together with its affiliates, today owns 2.5 million square meters (26 million square feet) in 91 high-quality properties in the UK, France and Poland, serving the logistics and distribution needs of manufacturers, retailers and third-party logistics solutions providers. Blackstone’s comparable company in the United States, IndCor, currently manages properties totalling 83 million square feet in 40 key logistics markets in 23 states.

Ken Caplan, head of Real Estate for Blackstone in Europe, said: “With the addition of these two portfolios, we are further building on our strategy of acquiring high-quality, well-located logistics properties in Europe, through the LogiCor platform. These assets complement our other logistics properties across Europe in terms of their tenant quality, efficient design, and excellent locations. We look forward to continuing to grow and developing this important asset class in our overall European real estate portfolio.”

Mo Barzegar, President and CEO of LogiCor Europe Ltd, remarked: “We are pleased to have been able to expand the reach of LogiCor into Poland, where the market for modern, efficient industrial properties continues to strengthen. We look forward to working with our tenants to support their growing needs for high-quality logistics and light industrial real estate.”

Source: Pannatoni Europe