Capitaland Ascendas REIT (CLAR) will be expanding its logistics assets in the UK for $350.1 million.
The REIT, on Aug 11, announced the proposed acquisitions of two plots of freehold land in the East Midlands, a key logistics market in the UK. The REIT intends to develop a total of four logistics properties on the plots known as Manton Wood and Towcester.
At Manton Wood, CLAR will develop a single-storey logistics property with a gross floor area (GFA) of 42,900 sqm. In Towcester, three single-storey logistics properties ranging from approximately 20,700 sqm to 38,300 sqm will be developed. The buildings will feature eaves measuring 15 metres to 18 metres and will come with ample trailer parking, good floor loading capacity and deep yards for operational efficiency.
The properties are said to be strategic fits with CLAR’s existing logistics assets, which are spread across key industrial areas and established distribution centres in the UK with good connections to core urban areas.
According to CLAR, the demand for logistics in the UK is expected to be underpinned by e-commerce growth and occupiers’ evolving supply chain strategies.
When completed, the proposed developments will grow the UK logistics portfolio to 42 investment properties with an increased assets under management (AUM) value of $1.2 billion, 43.5% higher.
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CLAR’s UK portfolio will also increase by 27.2% to $1.6 billion. Its UK portfolio will account for 10% of CLAR’s total AUM of $17.2 billion.
According to the REIT, the stabilised net property income (NPI) yield for the properties is expected to be around 7.3% pre-transaction costs and 6.9% post-transaction costs.
“Embarking on our inaugural logistics developments in the UK marks a significant step forward in our strategy to scale up CLAR’s UK logistics portfolio,” says William Tay, executive director and CEO of the manager. “Adding these best-in-class and green-certified logistics properties enhances CLAR’s logistics portfolio in the East Midlands, a key market in the UK’s logistics heartlands, and capitalise on occupiers’ demand for high-quality and well-located space.”
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“Including these two new projects, CLAR has a total of eight ongoing projects comprising developments, redevelopments and asset enhancement initiatives in Singapore, the US and UK worth approximately $850 million,” he adds.
Units in CLAR closed at $2.72 on Aug 8.
