Allianz Real Estate forms a new joint venture with VGP, a pan-European player in the high-quality logistics and semi-industrial real estate space

Allianz Real Estate forms a new joint venture with VGP, a pan-European player in the high-quality logistics and semi-industrial real estate space

(PRESS RELEASE) PARIS/ MUNICH/ ANTWERPEN, 4-Jan-2022 — /EuropaWire/ — Allianz Group, one of the leading integrated financial services providers worldwide, has announced that Allianz Real Estate, while acting on behalf of several Allianz group companies, has formed a new 50/50 joint venture with VGP, a pan-European developer, manager and owner of high-quality logistics and semi-industrial real estate. The newly formed entity will develop a portfolio of prime logistics assets in Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia and represents the 4th such joint venture between Allianz Real Estate and VGP since 2016.

Allianz Real Estate and VGP are targeting to grow the joint venture to a gross asset value of EUR2.8 billion within five years by exclusively acquiring prime assets developed by VGP.

Within these countries, VGP has a pipeline of over 90 assets in around 25 strategic locations, including near capital cities such as Bratislava, Berlin and Budapest, with a total forecast GLA of over 2.5 million sqm. The entire land bank has been already secured and a number of assets already delivered.

VGP is a leading developer, manager and owner of logistics and semi-industrial real estate. The firm has a development land bank of 10.49 million sqm of own or committed land1 and currently owns and operates assets in 12 European countries. It will again act as the JV manager, asset manager and property manager for the venture with Allianz Real Estate.

The logistics sector accounts for 13% of global Allianz Real Estate’s AUM, or EUR 10.3 billion, with the largest allocation in Europe at EUR 4.9 billion as at the end of September. 2021 has seen some of the firm’s most significant transactions, including the largest single logistics asset in terms of value in the U.S. to date. It’s Italian Logistics Fund alone accounts for over EUR 400 million across 16 facilities

The environmental profile of each facility will be a priority, aiming to encompass Carbon Risk Real Estate Monitor and EU Taxonomy compliance, the use of Sustainable Certification including high BREEAM or DGNB ratings, and EPC criteria, among others. As such, the JV will help Allianz Real Estate meet its target to reduce carbon emissions across its portfolio by 25% by 2025 and be carbon net-zero by 2050.

“We are acutely aware of the impact that e-commerce has generated in terms of the opportunities available in the market, where onshoring and inventory management on the building networks are essential. Having a dedicated logistics team working alongside prime partners such as VGP, has enabled us to remain ahead of the curve and continue to add significant capital allocation to our global logistics portfolio, an area that represents a key strategic focus for Allianz Real Estate,” said Kari Pitkin, Head of Business Development Europe, Allianz Real Estate.

Jan Van Geet, Chief Executive Officer at VGP, said “We are delighted to be expanding our partnership with Allianz Real Estate as this new joint venture will give VGP greater optionality to refinance whilst continuing to expand the Group’s asset base and development pipeline.  Having a partner who shares our commitment to sustainable and responsible building and investment practices, we are very pleased we have been able to agree to an ESG framework for this new joint venture which appreciates and is aligned with our long-term commitments. With a portfolio of prime and certified warehouses under construction and an enviable land bank, the new joint venture benefits from our significant Grade A pipeline in these four markets.”

In June last year, VGP and Allianz Real Estate announced the successful eighth and final closing of their first 50/50 joint venture, VGP European Logistics. The transaction comprised of four logistic buildings, including two buildings in a new VGP park and another two newly completed logistic buildings which were developed in parks previously transferred to the joint venture. Following this transaction this joint venture reached its expanded investment target and is fully invested2.

1 As of 31st of October 2021

2 Barring any top-ups related to assets being completed in parks already owned by the joint venture.

About Allianz Real Estate and PIMCO

Allianz Real Estate is a PIMCO Company, comprising Allianz Real Estate GmbH and Allianz Real Estate of America and their subsidiaries and affiliates.  It is one of the world’s largest real estate investment managers, developing and executing tailored portfolio and investment strategies globally on behalf of a range of global liability driven investors, creating long-term value for clients through direct as well as indirect investments and real estate financing. The operational management of investments and assets is performed out of 18 offices in key gateway cities across 4 regions (West Europe, North & Central Europe, USA and Asia Pacific). For more information, please visit:  www.allianz-realestate.com. PIMCO is one of the world’s premier fixed income investment managers. With its launch in 1971 in Newport Beach, California, PIMCO introduced investors to a total return approach to fixed income investing. In the nearly 50 years since, the firm continued to bring innovation and expertise to our partnership with clients seeking the best investment solutions. PIMCO has offices around the world and 3,000+ professionals committed to delivering superior investment returns, solutions and service to its clients. PIMCO is owned by Allianz SE, a leading global diversified financial services provider.

Source: Allianz Real Estate, data as at 30th September 2021. 

These assessments are, as always, subject to the disclaimer provided below.

About Allianz

The Allianz Group is one of the world’s leading insurers and asset managers with 120 million* private and corporate customers in more than 70 countries. Allianz customers benefit from a broad range of personal and corporate insurance services, ranging from property, life and health insurance to assistance services to credit insurance and global business insurance. Allianz is one of the world’s largest investors, managing around 802 billion euros on behalf of its insurance customers. Furthermore, our asset managers PIMCO and Allianz Global Investors manage 1.9 trillion euros of third-party assets. Thanks to our systematic integration of ecological, social and governance criteria in our business processes and investment decisions, we hold the leading position for insurers in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, launched on 12.11.2021. In 2020, over 150,000 employees achieved total revenues of 140 billion euros and an operating profit of 10.8 billion euros for the group.

These assessments are, as always, subject to the disclaimer provided below.

*Including non-consolidated entities with Allianz customers.

Media contacts:
Paula Eirich
Allianz Real Estate
+49 89 3800 68318
paula.eirich@allianz.com

SOURCE: Allianz SE

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