The European Industrial Partnership (EIP), a fund managed by AXA Real Estate Investment
Managers (AXA REIM), has agreed the sale of a portfolio to Scarborough Continental Partners at
a price in excess of €143,000,000. The multi-let portfolio, with over 233,000 sq m of business
space and circa 200 tenants, was marketed as the Activity Portfolio, and comprises three
properties in France and seven in the Netherlands.
This is the first major deal since Scarborough was acquired by Valad Property Group in
July. From the initial bids submitted following a competitive sales process, five
investors were selected for a final round of negotiations with EIP, and the successful bidder
selected on the basis of highest price.
Commenting on the sale, AXA REIM’s Ralph Wood, EIP Fund Manager, says ”this
sale is the first from the EIP portfolio and took advantage of strong European capital markets
to exit from certain assets and to optimise added value on behalf of
investors”.
Nick Jones, partner in Cushman & Wakefield’s cross-border team said; “This sale
reflects the very strong interest amongst international investors in the European industrial
sector which is offering attractive returns compared to other asset classes.”
Valad’s Peter Hurley commented that “This acquisition signals Valad’s firm commitment to
increasing our presence in Europe”.
EIP, a fund managed by AXA Real Estate Investment Managers, was advised in the transaction
by Cushman & Wakefield's London based cross-border capital markets team. Legal
advisors were Allen & Overy in the Netherlands and Lefèvre Pelletier & Associés in
France. Scarborough was represented by CMS Cameron McKenna.