Canadian asset manager, the Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) has joined forces with retail specialist Portus Retail to acquire Brussels’ newest urban shopping centre, Docks Bruxsel.
Although financial details were not disclosed, market experts put the deal value at €300 mln.
Docks Bruxsel was developed by Equilis and TPF and opened in 2016. The award-winning scheme provides a total of 110 stores over 61,000 m2 and 1,700 parking spaces.
Portus Retail will act as asset manager following the transaction.
Peter Todd, founder of Portus Retail commented, 'This is a really exciting opportunity for Portus Retail. Docks Bruxsel is a genuinely unique shopping destination, which already provides a relevant and fresh retail offering to Brussels and the surrounding areas. Our intention is to enhance this by creating memorable experiences for visitors and building on the existing mix of retailers, introducing attractive new brands to the scheme.'
'AIMCo’s investment in Docks Bruxsel builds on the strong relationship we have developed with Portus Retail and adds an exceptional asset to our growing European portfolio,' added Micheal Dal Bello, senior vice president real estate at AIMCo.
Carl Mestdagh, executive chairman of Equilis Europe said, 'Equilis is delighted with this transaction, which is part of the company’s development strategy in Europe.'
Portus Retail and AIMCo were advised on the transaction by Clifford Chance and CBRE; Equilis was advised by Linklaters, JLL and Cushman & Wakefield.
