Disposal strategy nears completion

RNS Number : 1153W

Palace Capital PLC

20 December 2021

 

20 December 2021

Palace Capital PLC

("Palace Capital" or the "Company")

Palace Capital nears completion of disposal strategy with two further sales

Palace Capital (LSE: PCA ) the Main Market property investment company that has a diversified portfolio of UK commercial real estate in carefully selected locations outside of London with a focus on the office and industrial sectors, announces that it has completed  the sale of Russell House, Walton on-Thames, Surrey for £2.625 million and exchanged contracts to sell Westminster House, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire for £1.9 million. Both are being sold at a significant premium to book value and the latest transactions bring to £28.2 million the value of properties sold under the Company's £30 million disposal strategy.

Russell House, which was acquired by the Company in 2014, is a multi-let office and industrial building with a floor area of 23,000 sq ft that is being acquired by a subsidiary of Travis Perkins plc, the FTSE 250 builders' merchant and home improvement retailer. Since acquisition, Palace Capital has applied its active asset management skillset to the property, bringing it to full occupancy, increasing annual rental income by 30% and, through the sale, crystallising a significant uplift on the original purchase price.

Westminster House, which is being acquired by a private investment company, is a multi-let office & residential building, with a floor area of 3,710 sq ft, and the price also reflects a significant uplift on the original purchase price.

Neil Sinclair, Chief Executive commented:

"12 of the 15 mature assets we identified last summer under our strategic disposal plan have now been sold for £28.2 million of the £30 million target. We are very pleased with the momentum we have been able to achieve with the implementation of the strategy and it puts us in a good position as we move into the new calendar year to take advantage of opportunities to redeploy the proceeds into properties with stronger growth potential, in line with our total return strategy."

Allsop acted for Palace Capital on Westminster House.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

PALACE CAPITAL PLC

Neil Sinclair, Chief Executive

Tel. [phone]

Matthew Simpson, Chief Financial Officer

Tel. [phone]

Broker

Numis Securities

Heraclis Economides / George Fry

Tel: [phone]

Broker

Arden Partners plc

Corporate Finance: Paul Shackleton / Elliot Mustoe

Corporate Broking: James Reed-Daunter

Tel: [phone]

Financial PR

FTI Consulting

Claire Turvey / Katie Hughes

Tel: [phone]

[e-mail]

About Palace Capital plc (www.palacecapitalplc.com)

Palace Capital plc (LSE: PCA) is a UK REIT that has a £262 million diversified portfolio of UK regional commercial property. The Company maintains a disciplined investment strategy focused on towns and cities outside of London that are characterised by thriving local economies and strengthening fundamentals. Within those locations the highly experienced management team select assets that provide opportunities to drive both capital value and long-term rental income through tailored active asset management programmes ultimately delivering attractive shareholder returns.

www.palacecapitalplc.com

 

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