Landsec today announces that it has acquired a majority stake in MediaCity, the 37 acre media, digital and tech hub in Salford, Greater Manchester previously owned by a 50:50 JV between Legal & General and Peel L&P. Landsec will partner with Peel L&P who will retain a 25% stake and continue to serve as asset and development manager.

MediaCity has a gross asset value of £567.5m. Landsec will pay a net purchase price of £425.6m for the 75% interest. The transaction includes £293.6m of debt (£220.2m on a proportionate basis), reducing Landsec’s equity investment to £207.6m which is satisfied in cash drawn from existing facilities. Landsec will also have an obligation to pay a further amount capped at £15m linked to building remediation works which will be completed post-transaction.

Mark Allan, Landsec CEO said: “Mixed-use developments with a clear sense of place are becoming an increasingly important ingredient in the fabric of cities. Opportunities to participate in large scale, established mixed-use developments are scarce and MediaCity is one such opportunity.

“This acquisition presents us with the opportunity to deploy capital immediately into high quality income producing assets and also to invest further over time through the development of phase two. MediaCity is a compelling addition to our portfolio, providing the opportunity to invest and further develop the estate with the potential to be onsite from the first half of 2023. I’m particularly excited to be able to work alongside Peel, whose experience and expertise complements our own.”

The acquisition demonstrates further progress with Landsec’s ‘grow through urban opportunities’ strategic pillar, which is focused on providing long-term income generation and development optionality through mixed-use schemes in London and other major UK cities.

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