European fund manager Patrizia has acquired a multi-let industrial estate near Maidstone in the UK on behalf of a new mandate with operating partner Caisson Investment Management for €41 mln.
Patrizia said that the deal would be the first of a number of multi-let industrial assets to be purchased throughout the UK.
The first acquisition for the programme, Quarry Wood Industrial Estate, is a freehold multi-let industrial estate in Aylesford comprising circa 42,000 m2 of lettable space across 27 units let to 18 tenants. Occupiers range from local, regional and national businesses in manufacturing, distribution and e-commerce.
Jamie Younger, head of transactions UK & Ireland at Patrizia, said: 'We are pleased to be working with Caisson as our asset manager on this latest mandate, focusing on an area of the market that has successfully withstood the challenges of Covid-19.
'Industrial real estate has delivered robust rent collection rates over the last few months and continues to be underpinned by long term structural resilience, including the growth of e-commerce and last-mile delivery.'
The new programme is aimed at assembling a portfolio with exposure to a sector that has remained resilient throughout the lockdown and continues to be underpinned by strong market fundamentals, principally the growth in online shopping, Patrizia said.
'Quarry Wood Industrial Estate is a popular, well-located multi-let industrial estate that provides diversity of income. The site also has potential institutional quality, which will be delivered through the active asset management expertise and specific sector strengths of Patrizia and our partner, Caisson,' Younger added.
Philip Stott, investment partner at Caisson Investment Management, added: 'We are excited by Patrizia’s acquisition of Quarry Wood Industrial Estate which commences our seventh mandate with them.
'The UK multi-let industrial sector has proven to be robust through these challenging times and we are pleased to have efficiently executed the transaction during lockdown; all credit to the wider team and our advisors.'
Patrizia and Caisson were advised by Gerald Eve. Lewis & Partners represented the vendor.
