PGIM Real Estate and French investment manager Alderan have inked a partnership off-market for the acquisition and management of logistics platforms in key catchment areas in France.
OPPCI Organa III, launched in March 2018 by Alderan, holds a portfolio of eight logistics and business assets spread across the Paris region, the Madrid region and other established logistics zones.
As part of the partnership, PGIM Real Estate's pan-European core plus investment strategy has acquired 90% of the shares of OPPCI Organa III. The remaining 10% are retained by OJIREL, the initial sponsor of the Organa III fund.
Jocelyn de Verdelon, president of PGIM Real Estate France, said: 'The acquisition of Organa III fits perfectly with PGIM Real Estate's logistics strategy in France.
'The peri-urban locations of the portfolio provide a high intrinsic value and the technical characteristics of the assets are good and easily adaptable. Certain sites in the portfolio will be the subject of significant investments in order to bring their technical specifications into line with the best market standards.
'Organa III will then pursue its development through the selective acquisition of existing platforms and the launch of new developments in order to eventually constitute a critical size logistics investment platform in France.'
Alderan will continue to manage the vehicle, with the objective of growing the portfolio and its net rental income.
At 31 December 2020, the portfolio, with a size of 156,000 m2, had an occupancy rate of 90% and generated total rental income of €6.9 mln.
Assets include a prime location in Saint Quentin-Fallavier in the Lyon region, leased to a very large national retailer, and a warehouse currently being delivered in Fontenoy-sur-Moselle near Nancy, 60% of which is pre-leased to Viapost and Pomona. Further deals are currently being explored.
PGIM Real Estate intends to pursue a strategy of enhancing the value of the portfolio by consolidating the rental exposure and exploring value creation opportunities, including redevelopment.
Rémy Bourgeon, president of Alderan, said: 'Following the sale of OPPCI Organa in 2016 and OPPCI Organa II in 2019, this regulated fund transaction demonstrates Alderan's ability to structure investment vehicles, build a relevant real estate asset portfolio and create value through intensive asset management work on behalf of its investor clients.
'We look forward to beginning this new collaboration with PGIM Real Estate and to continuing the development of the portfolio.'
Alderan was assisted by Clifford Chance (legal and tax structuring), Apollo (taxation of selling investors), EY (financial advisor) and the law firm Lasaygues (notary). PGIM Real Estate was assisted by De Pardieu Brocas Maffei (legal and tax), Etyo (technical advice), Accuracy (financial advice) and the law firm Wargny Katz (notary).
