Shopping centres and retail parks investor Wereldhave Belgium has acquired the Ville2 shopping centre in Charleroi for €120m.
Euronext Brussels-listed Wereldhave Belgium is acquiring all the shares of La Société Générale Immobilière De Belgique, the company that owns the shopping centre, which has a gross leasable area of approximately 27,100sqm.
Wereldhave Belgium said the deal will be financed two-thirds through a capital increase, with the remaining one-third covered by already secured external bank financing.
The company added that this approach will keep its loan-to-value ratio stable, preserving capacity for further growth opportunities.
Nicolas Rosiers, deputy CEO of Wereldhave Belgium, said: “We are particularly pleased to announce the successful acquisition of the Ville2 shopping centre.
“This acquisition once again strengthens our position in the Belgian retail market and marks a second major milestone in our strategic expansion.”
Rosiers added that Ville2 fits perfectly within “our strict acquisition criteria and will not only contribute to our profitability but also create substantial long-term value”.
Wereldhave Belgium was advised by CBRE and Liedekerke and the seller by Cushman & Wakefield, BNP Paribas and Elegis.
Victoria Tanret, head of capital markets retail at Cushman & Wakefield Belgium, said: “This transaction is historical, as it is the first sale of a core shopping centre on the Belgian retail market since many years. It demonstrates the resilience and long-term appeal of well-positioned retail assets in Belgium.
“Ville2’s strong tenant mix, high footfall, and strategic location in Charleroi make it an exceptional investment opportunity.”
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