Merlin Expects Torre Glòries to be Fully Occupied by 2019

7 June 2019 – Expansión

Following the stoppage during the final quarter of last year, which was attributed to political instability, the first few months of 2018 have reactivated the real estate sector and the footfall in the shopping centres of Barcelona; and one of the clearest examples of this change in trend is Torre Glòries, one of Merlin’s main assets in the Catalan capital. The firm’s CEO, Ismael Clemente, explained during an information session at the International Logistics Fair (‘Salón Internacional de la Logística’ or SIL) in Barcelona that the office complex will be fully occupied by 2019.

The first tenant is going to be the Austrian firm CCC, which will work for Facebook and which has leased eight floors, with the option of leasing five more. That firm will start to move into Torre Glòries on 1 July. “After finding out that the EMA would not move to Barcelona, we thought that it might be hard to fully let the building three years after the refurbishment work finished (in June), but now we see that in six months we are going to have 80% of the property occupied and that by 2019, it will be full”, said the Director. Merlin is negotiating with two other companies from the technology sector, which will allow the listed Socimi to hang up the “No vacancy” sign if the most optimistic forecasts are fulfilled.

Investment

At SIL, Merlin unveiled its plans to expand its logistics offering over the next two or three years (…).

Original story: Expansión (by A. Zanón)

Translation: Carmel Drake

Mercabarna Awards Plot to General Càrnia for €4.7M

28 December 2017 – Eje Prime

Mercabarna has hung up the ‘no vacancy’ sign just before the end of 2017. The central Barcelona market has sold the only plot that was without an owner in the complex for €4.7 million. Until now, the hypermarket for Makro professionals was located on the plot.

The buyer, the meat company Companyia General Càrnia, has paid 30% more than the original asking price stipulated by Mercabarna for the warehouse. It was also the only firm that participated in the public tender, according to Expansión.

The awarded land spans a surface area of 20,420 m2 and houses a two-storey building. The meat company has the right to lease the asset for the next 20 years.

Original story: Eje Prime 

Translation: Carmel Drake