Representing a total GLA of 132,000 sq m, the portfolio of 25 retail parks was developed, built and managed by Mitiska REIM in partnership with its Romanian country partner Square 7 Properties over the past 10 years. All retail parks in the portfolio are food-anchored by either a Kaufland or Lidl supermarket, or a combination of both, with other tenants including leading international brands such as Deichmann, DM, Pepco, Jysk, KFC, Kik and Takko. In terms of sustainability, the entire portfolio has been awarded “Very Good” BREEAM certifications for Asset Performance.
“We are delighted to conclude this transaction with LCP Group, part of M Core, and deliver such strong returns to investors in the funds. During the sale process, we saw significant interest from a number of potential buyers, which is testament to the depth of liquidity for high-quality retail park assets in Europe,” comments Axel Despriet, Managing Partner of Mitiska REIM.
“Our value-add investment approach is to buy, fix, manage and then sell when a portfolio reaches core status,” adds Sylvie Geuten-Carpentier, Managing Partner of Mitiska REIM. “The quality of these assets combined with the resilience of the retail park sector in general meant that we could realize such significant value, despite the wider economic environment.”
Clemens Petschnikar, CEO of Square 7 Properties, adds: “Working together with Mitiska REIM, we were able to create one of the largest retail real estate portfolios in Romania and become the market leader in the retail park sector. This sale is the successful culmination of this work and part of our ongoing partnership which combines our local expertise and on-the-ground management with Mitiska REIM’s international retailer relationships, access to funding and divestment expertise.”
The retail parks are located in the Romanian cities of Bucharest (2), Bistrița, Baia Mare, Pașcani, Slobozia, Ploiesti, Mediaș, Reșița, Buzău, Arad, Odorhei, Sighet, Câmpina, Caransebeș, Medgidia, Iași, Târgu Mureș, Tulcea, Slatina, Mioveni, Bacău, Drobeta-Turnu Severin, Brăila and Giurgiu.
