The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) is taking a stake in a retail property scheme in Birmingham.
The Canadian institution acquired a 50% stake in Hammerson’s Grand Central mall in the UK’s second-largest city.
The latter said it was paying £335m (€441m) for the mall.
Hammerson said the two investors would each hold stakes worth £175m once the deal was completed.
CPPIB’s managing director and head of real estate investments in Europe, Andrea Orlandi, said the joint venture demonstrates the institution’s long-term commitment to the UK and regional markets around the country.
The 435,000 sqft centre, which opened in September last year, includes a 250,000 sqft John Lewis department store.
Hammerson and CPPIB will hold the 150-year lease, with the former asset-managing the scheme, part of Birmingham’s £750m New Street station-regeneration project.
The centre’s retail space is close to being fully let, with 96% occupancy.
Annual net rental income is £13.9m.
CPPIB and Hammerson are already present in Birmingham, having jointly invested in the nearby Bullring centre .
Hammerson director of retail development, Robin Dobson, recently told Âé¶¹Ó³» Real Estate the 1.3m sqft Bullring – completed in late 2003 – could benefit from its position, equidistant to Grand Central and HS2’s Curzon Street terminal.
“The Bull Ring is well-positioned between the station and HS2,� he said. “We certainly see the potential for strong growth.�
To read more on Birmingham, see this month’s


