Le RREO et Boreal IM font l’acquisition en coentreprise d’un portefeuille logistique de premier ordre de 165 000 m2 sur les marchés stratégiques en France

London - 24 January 2024: The Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and Boreal IM joint venture (“JV”) is pleased to announce its latest strategic acquisition in the French logistics market – a 165,000 sqm portfolio of five, fully-let, logistics assets. The transaction marks the JV’s second investment in France, after the acquisition of a standing asset and development plot in Paris in 2023.

The assets are located in Lyon, Nantes, and Lille – core cities within the French logistics “Backbone” and “Atlantic Corridor” where there is a structural undersupply of logistics assets and limited potential to develop additional space. These investments align with the JV’s strategy of targeting assets in supply-constrained locations where occupier demand remains strong, and where there is the potential to improve rental levels in the mid-term.

The assets consist of:

• Belleville: A 50,000 sqm asset north of Lyon, constructed in 2010, and fully leased to a pharmaceutical company as its main national logistics centre
• Étoile sur Rhône: A 35,000 sqm facility built in 2018 located south of Lyon and leased to two French 3PLs fulfilling national and international contracts
• Nantes: A 19,000 sqm, part temperature-controlled asset, fully let to a local 3PL which uses the asset to fulfil contracts for clients located in northwest France
• Angers: Built in 2018, this 42,000 sqm asset is leased to a global contract logistics provider to serve central and western France
• Lille: An 18,000 sqm facility located in Lille’s most established logistics cluster. Built in 2018 and fully leased to an international 3PL which has consolidated its regional operations in the asset

All of the assets benefit from easy access to the main highways, including the A6 which connects Marseille to Lyon and Paris (Belleville, Étoile sur Rhône); the A1 connecting Lille to Paris (Lille); and the A11 that runs from Nantes to Paris (Angers, Nantes).

In line with the JV’s commitment to environmental and social responsibility, the intention is to collaborate with the tenants to enhance the ESG credentials of the assets. Initiatives include obtaining “Excellent” BREEAM certifications and conducting CRREM / net zero carbon analyses to direct decarbonisation works, such as the installation of photovoltaic systems and LED lighting.

Jenny Hammarlund, Senior Managing Director, Real Estate at Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, said: “This portfolio is a strategic acquisition for the JV, significantly growing our AUM in France and further diversifying our geographic presence. We now have the opportunity to work with a strong roster of tenants to implement ESG initiatives as we continue to build our best-in-class portfolio and create value through active asset management.”

Xavier Aubrun, Vice President at Boreal IM, commented: “This acquisition allows us to firmly establish the JV in France through a high-quality portfolio in key markets with strong fundamentals. We are pleased to demonstrate again our ability to execute throughout Europe and our commitment to the French market, a key target for us where we are expecting to grow our platform further. As the market is finding its new equilibrium, 2024 is set to be another busy year for our JV.”

Boreal and Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan were advised by Clifford Chance, NOTER, CBRE, Etyo and PwC.

Contact Details

Ontario Teachers’
Henrietta Dehn
Henrietta_dehn@otpp.com
+44 7407 795 960
Kekst CNC
OTPP@Kekstcnc.com

Montfort Communications/Boreal IM
Mcloughlin@montfort.london
+44 7879994009

About Ontario Teachers’ 

Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board (Ontario Teachers') is a global investor with net assets of $249.8 billion as at June 30, 2023. We invest in more than 50 countries in a broad array of assets including public and private equities, fixed income, credit, commodities, natural resources, infrastructure, real estate and venture growth to deliver retirement income for 336,000 working members and pensioners. 

With offices in Toronto, London, Hong Kong, Singapore, Mumbai, San Francisco, New York, Dallas, and São Paolo, our more than 400 investment professionals bring deep expertise in a broad range of sectors and industries. We are a fully funded defined benefit pension plan and have earned an annual total-fund net return of 9.4% since the plan's founding in 1990. At Ontario Teachers', we don't just invest to make a return, we invest to shape a better future for the teachers we serve, the businesses we back, and the world we live in. For more information, visit otpp.com and follow us on LinkedIn. 

About Boreal IM

Boreal is a pan-European investment management firm founded by its Partners, who on average bring over 18 years of industry experience across all sectors, geographies and transaction types. It is supported by a highly motivated and aligned team of skilled professionals focused on acquisitions, asset management and finance. It is headquartered in London and has staff in France in the Netherlands.

Boreal analyses macroeconomic trends and paradigm shifts to identify thematic investment opportunities across Europe. Boreal’s current investment focus is logistics and light-industrial properties across Europe. Boreal is focused on assets across core European locations where fundamentals support the competitive demand for logistics, targeting properties across the spectrum, from standing assets to ground-up development. 

Leveraging the team’s experience, market knowledge and established networks, Boreal aims to create and to drive long-term value for its investment partners in a sustainable and responsible manner.