CTP receives €1.9 billion financing in CEE’s largest transaction ever

In the largest real estate transaction to date in Central and Eastern Europe, the 7-year loan provides for the refinancing of €1.6 billion of existing properties and extends €269 million in new financing for projects to be completed in the next 18 months.

“We are pleased to confirm our continued cooperation and deepened relationships with our core banking partners in concluding this milestone syndicated loan transaction. This deal secures our financing in the Czech Republic for the mid-term and will help us significantly in achieving our next goal of growing to 10 million square metres,” stated Remon Vos, CTP Group CEO.

Remon Vos

CEO
CTP

Born in the Netherlands in 1970, Remon Vos founded CTP in 1998 with the goal to develop A-class industrial properties in the Czech Republic. Remon developed and grew the CTPark Network to become the largest integrated system of full-service business parks in CEE. At over 5 million sqm of lettable area, and sufficient land to grow to 8 million m2, the CTPark Network offers 5 unique property types that can accommodate wide variety businesses from 450 sqm incubators to 50,000 sqm built-to-suit manufacturing facilities or 100,000 sqm distribution centres. CTP is a long-term investor and partner to its clients, with an innovative and entrepreneurial approach. This focus has resulted in 70% of all new business coming from existing clients. CTP has also developed unique, high-quality office and housing projects, such as the award-winning Spielberk, and the unique student housing concept Domeq in Brno. Remon continues to lead the company at full-speed, with big plans for the future. More »

The transaction consolidates 40 existing loan agreements into one syndicated loan. “The new loan structure significantly simplifies our previous financing arrangements, making us fitter for the future. We can streamline loan administration and processing and benefit from secure funding of our industrial portfolio over the mid-term, in addition to development financing for the next 18 months,” commented Zdeněk Raus, CTP CFO for the Czech Republic.

“The transaction volume of €1.9 billion makes the deal the largest ever real estate transaction in Central and Eastern Europe, not only the Czech Republic. All stakeholders—especially our tenants—benefit from the stable and secure funding resulting from this transaction, allowing them to focus on their core business and for CTP to continue to provide market-leading services. The strong long-term relationships we have with our banks proven by this deal provide the basis for further cooperation with respect to our CEE portfolio, which now stands at over 5 million sqm,” stated Richard Wilkinson, Group CFO.

Richard Wilkinson

Group CFO
CTP

Richard started his role as Group CFO for CTP in July 2018, which includes looking after the refinancing of CTP's portfolio of over 4,5 million sqm of premium industrial property. Prior to joining CTP, Richard ran the CRE business of Erste Group across CEE for 14 years, turning it into one of the leading CRE banking franchises. He has a Law degree from the London School of Economics. More »

“This deal sets a new benchmark for real estate financing in Central and Eastern Europe in terms of size and complexity. It underscores the leading position of Erste Group in the Central Europe region and Česká spořitelna in the Czech Republic. This was a deal that continues our excellent and long-term relationship with CTP,” stated Patrick Zehetmayr, Head of Real Estate Financing at Erste Group and Pavel Kráčmar, Member of the Board at Česká spořitelna.

“We are very pleased to have been able to support CTP in this historic deal that once again shows our ability to assist our clients with ground-breaking financial structures,” released Matteo Pietropoli, Head of CEE Financing at UniCredit and Slavomir Beňa, Head of CIB in the Czech Republic and Slovakia at UniCredit in a joint statement.

“This deal proves again the commitment of Société Générale to the Central Europe region and Komerční banka to the Czech Republic and underlines the ability of our group to support innovative and creative solutions meeting our clients’ needs. The size and complexity of this deal provided unique challenges, which we are proud to have solved. This deal sets a new standard for financing in Central and Eastern Europe and we are very happy to have supported CTP,” stated Jean-Pierre Cherbit, from Société Générale Corporate & Investment Banking and David Formánek, member of the board of Komerční banka.

The legal side of the transaction was led on behalf of CTP by M&A and transactional lawyer, Květa Vojtová, with support from the local CTP banking and corporate team. For CTP, Clifford Chance Prague LLP also provided legal services. Eastdil Secured acted as financial advisor for CTP.

For the underwriting banks White & Case provided legal services, KPMG acted as tax/financial advisor, Arcadis acted as technical advisor, while CBRE provided valuation services.

For the security agent (Deutsche Pfandbriefbank) legal services were provided by DLA Piper Prague LLP.