GPT Seek $800m for Sydney CBD Buy

Diversified property group GPT is seeking $800 million in capital to invest in premium office towers in Sydney’s Darling Harbour along with plans to strengthen its logistics portfolio.

GPT's equity raise is for the purchase of a 25 per cent stake in the Darling Park 1&2 office complex and Cockle Bay Wharf complex worth $531 million.

The group plans to secure the Darling Park asset through its wholesale fund’s preemptive right, subject to consent of Property New South Wales.

Following completion of the purchase, GPT and GPT Wholesale Office Fund (GWOF) will hold a combined 75 per cent interest in the Sydney CBD assets. The Darling Park acquisition will also see GPT secure a 25 per cent interest in the proposed Cockle Bay development which has stage one planning approval.

UBS and Macquarie Capital have been hired to secure GPT’s $800 million fully underwritten placement.

Under the placement, shares are being sold at a fixed issue price of $6.07 per security, representing a 4.1 per cent discount to GPT's closing price on 18 June.

GPT chief executive Bob Johnston said the acquisition enhances the group’s exposure to Sydney’s strong office market via modern, high quality assets.

“And access to future growth through the Cockle Bay Park development,” he said.

The asset offers 103,600sq m of net lettable area across two 27-level office towers, providing premium office accommodation.

Cockle Bay Wharf offers 8,151sq m of dining and retail space, while plans for its development feature 63,000sq m of premium office accommodation and 10,000sq m of retail and entertainment space.

Johnston said the proceeds will also be applied to funding the next stage of growth from the Group’s development pipeline across the office and logistics sectors, while also “maintaining a very strong balance sheet position”.

GPT’s large equity push is the latest move in the listed property sector, and comes after the $900 million raise by Dexus and Mirvac’s $750 million placement for its development.

In its latest announcement GPT said approximately 71 per cent of the portfolio is being independently valued in the six months to June 30.

“The revaluations are expected to result in a net revaluation gain of approximately $102 million, or 0.7 per cent, with a weighted average capitalisation rate of 4.99 per cent.”

GPT currently has a $33 million development in Melbourne’s Truganina, and two facilities under way worth a total of $69 million in Brisbane’s Wembley Business Park.