Singapore-listed Frasers Logistics & Industrial Trust has exercised its call option to acquire 1 Burilda Close in Sydney, Australia, for a total purchase consideration of approximately AUD58.2 million (USD43 million).
The logistics property, which is located approximately 45 km from Sydney’s central business district, is fully leased to Martin-Brower Australia Pty Ltd for a term of 20 years.
Its acquisition enlarges the REIT’s portfolio to 54 properties, with a total gross lettable area of approximately 1.2 million square metres, and value by 3.5% to AUD1.73 billion.
Frasers Logistics & Industrial Trust’s portfolio now features an occupancy rate of 99.3%, up from 99.2% before acquisition, and a weighted average lease expiry (WALE) of 7.0 years, up from 6.6 years previously.
“The newly completed Martin Brower property will have an immediate and positive impact to [Frasers Logistics & Industrial Trust’s] distribution per unit”, said Robert Wallace, CEO of the REIT’s manager.
The acquisition has been funded via a AUD41.0 million debt facility which was drawn down from the REIT’s five-year revolving credit facility, and approximately AUD20.5 million from its own working capital.
Following the acquisition, the REIT’s aggregate leverage will increase from 28.2%, as at 30 September 2016, to 29.8%.
Units of Frasers Logistics & Industrial Trust last changed hands on the Singapore Exchange at SGD0.92.