Strengthens portfolio with Citadines Suites Champs-Elysees Paris – former private residence of Hennessy family and Somerset Shinagawa Tokyo located near to the city’s transportation hub.
SINGAPORE – CapitaLand’s wholly owned serviced residence business unit, The Ascott Limited’s (Ascott) serviced residence global fund with Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) has acquired two prime properties in Paris and Tokyo for USD104 million (S$145 million). The fund will invest another USD33 million (S$46 million) to convert the office building in Paris into a luxury serviced residence and embark on asset enhancement to reposition the serviced residence in Tokyo, bringing the total investment to USD137 million (S$191 million).
The 70-unit Citadines Suites Champs-Elysees Paris is slated to open in 2018 while the serviced residence that has been operating as Somerset Shinagawa Tokyo since acquisition will undergo asset enhancement to reposition the property with additional apartments to be reconfigured. This is expected to be completed by end 2016. With these acquisitions, Ascott now has more than 43,000 units across 277 properties, spanning 95 cities; cementing Ascott’s position as the world’s largest international serviced residence owner and operator.
Set up in July 2015, the USD600 million serviced residence global fund is Ascott’s largest private equity fund and a 50:50 joint venture with QIA. The fund invests in serviced residences and rental housing properties with an initial focus on Asia Pacific and Europe.
Mr Lee Chee Koon, Ascott’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Ascott serviced residence global fund’s maiden acquisitions are quality assets in key gateway cities where demand for serviced residences by expatriates and travellers remains strong. This is a testament of our strong alignment of interest with our capital partners. This value-added fund will capitalise on Ascott’s strong capabilities in developing, repositioning and enhancing the value of serviced residences globally. As we gear up to achieve Ascott’s expansion target of 80,000 units worldwide by 2020, the fund provides the financial boost to support our acquisitions and growth. With the first right to manage properties acquired by the fund, we will be able to increase Ascott’s fee-based income.”
The 70-unit Citadines Suites Champs-Elysees Paris.
Photo caption: Somerset Shinagawa Tokyo.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
