AIM-listed Redefine International (RDF) has announced it has exchanged agreements with The Splendid Hotel Group for the acquisition of a portfolio of five Holiday Inn hotels located in London for a total of £106 mln (EUR 127 mln). Completion of the transaction is conditional on RDF securing satisfactory funding terms on senior debt secured against the hotels.
AIM-listed Redefine International (RDF) has announced it has exchanged agreements with The Splendid Hotel Group for the acquisition of a portfolio of five Holiday Inn hotels located in London for a total of £106 mln (EUR 127 mln). Completion of the transaction is conditional on RDF securing satisfactory funding terms on senior debt secured against the hotels.
RDF, formerly known as Ciref, said that the projected return on equity for the first year is approximately 10%.
The acquisition comprises both the hotel properties and the business operations of the hotels. It is proposed that Redefine International Hotels (RIH), a subsidiary of RDF's investment manager, will enter into a long-term lease over the Hotels shortly after the acquisition.
Helder Pereira has been appointed as the CEO of RIH. Pereira is the former managing director of the Southern Sun hotel group in Southern Africa. During this time, Helder was actively involved with the Intercontinental Hotels Group (owner of the Holiday Inn franchise).
Commenting on the acquisition RDF chairman Gavin Tipper said: 'The entry into the hotel industry is an exciting new opportunity for RDF. The hotels offer a strong potential return in challenging times in the property industry. The board believes that RDF is well placed to take advantage of this strategic investment.'
Ciref became Redefine International at the start of July. RDF describes itself as a hybrid property investment company domiciled in Jersey. It is part of the Redefine International Property Group, the parent of which is Redefine Properties Limited, the second largest listed property investment company in South Africa with a market capitalisation of approximately £2 bn.
RDF is managed by Redefine International Fund Managers Limited, a BVI regulated fund and investment manager.