Italian lender MPS has announced that it has entered exclusive discussions with Ardian Real Estate and joint partner Hines regarding the sale of a €350 mln portfolio of non-core property assets.
Ardian is believed to have emerged ahead of rival bidder Blackstone in the running to acquire the package including 30 buildings across Italy.
The portfolio, which was marketed through adviser Duff & Phelps Reag, comprises a historic asset at Rome's via del Corso, two offices in Florence's city centre, and MPS' historic head office in Milan's via Santa Margherita 11.
In another major property sale by an Italian lender, asset manager Coima last week emerged as exclusive partner to acquire a Milan portfolio of assets from lender UBI.
The €300 mln portfolio includes seven value-add properties in the city centre, where UBI will remain as a tenant for the short term. It comprises two assets at 16 and 20, corso Europa, one property at 1, piazza Borromeo as well as other buildings at piazza Zavattari, via Boccaccio, via Silvio Pellico and Monte di Pietà.
