Re: Joint Development in Poland

RNS Number : 7638R

Helical Bar PLC

09 November 2011

 



9 November 2011

Helical Bar plc ("Helical" or the "Group")

HELICAL TO CO-DEVELOP RETAIL PARK IN GLIWICE, POLAND

Helical Bar plc and Standard Life Investments, acting on behalf of one of its institutional clients, have signed an agreement to develop jointly a 66,000 sq m retail park and shopping centre at Europa Centralna, Gliwice, Poland, with possible additional phases to be implemented in the future.

Construction of the retail development has already commenced with completion due in October 2012. The development will comprise:

·     A 28,000 sq m Shopping Centre anchored by a 10,800 sq m Tesco Hypermarket.

·     A 38,000 sq m Retail Park anchored by a 9,500 sq m Castorama DIY store.

The development is currently 51% pre-let to Tesco, Castorama, H&M, Kappahl, Lindex, Smyk, JULA, RTV Euro AGD and others, with heads of terms agreed on a further 12%. It will be funded by a combination of a €72m development loan from Aareal Bank and €40m cash from the joint venture partners. Helical is providing €4m (10%) of this cash, retaining a 37.5% equity stake in the joint venture. Standard Life Investment's client will acquire Helical's equity stake, and that of the local management team (12.5%), two years after completion of building works for a sum reflecting their share of the value of the development.

Gerald Kaye, Development Director at Helical said:

"The fact that Standard Life Investments and their client have joined us on this transaction endorses the quality of this development and our long-held belief in the strength of the Polish market, which despite concerns elsewhere in Europe, remains one of the stronger economies. This deal will see the return of most of our current equity invested (circa £16m cash) for investment elsewhere within the Group and reduces our current stock levels by circa £43m (gross). We expect it will provide us with a good development profit at our planned exit from the scheme in 2014/2015."

Danny McHugh, Head of Continental European Real Estate at Standard Life Investments said:

"Entering into this development joint venture with Helical provides an opportunity to access excellent returns from a substantially de-risked development. We believe Europa Centralna will be a top quality retail destination on completion with a mix of National and International retailers. We are anticipating strong growth over the longer term given its location in this densely populated region of Southern Poland and unique position on the intersection of Poland's two main primary highways. This acquisition follows others this year in Continental Europe, where our research lead investment approach and jurisdictionally focused team have allowed us to source excellent investment opportunities against a difficult economic backdrop for Europe."                         

For further information please contact:

Helical Bar plc

Gerald Kaye

Tel: [phone]

FTI Consulting

Stephanie Highett / Dido Laurimore

Tel: [phone]

 

END

 

 

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