Meridia Converts New RE Fund Into A Socimi

19 May 2016 – Expansión

The private equity manager Meridia has decided to convert its latest real estate fund, Meridia Real Estate III, into a Socimi, which will be listed on the Alternative Investment Market (MAB) within a maximum period of two years, according to sources at the company led by Javier Faus (pictured above).

The fund, which was constituted last year, has available resources of around €250 million, but its investment capacity increases to €600 million including its bank debt.

The same sources explained that the conversion into a Socimi comes in response to the fact that, unlike its predecessors, large institutional players have invested in this fund – together with a family office. Such players tend to employ the REIT structure for their operations in the real estate sector. REITs are very similar companies to the Spanish Socimis, with significant tax incentives and the obligation to list on the stock exchange.

Meridia Real Estate III debuted in April with the acquisition of a batch of eight office buildings and a logistics warehouse located in Madrid and Barcelona. The package, which belonged to the real estate fund Segurfondo Inversión, managed by Inverseguros, was sold for €52.45 million. It is a diversified portfolio with great potential.

Original story: Expansión (by J.Orihuel and M.Anglés)

Translation: Carmel Drake