The REICO ČS LONG LEASE fund managed by REICO investiční společnost České spořitelny, a.s., is buying BWI’s research and development centre in Kraków, Poland. The value of the fund’s new acquisition is approximately CZK 700 million (€27.3 million).
The BWI Research and Development Centre consists of two environmentally friendly, interconnected buildings, built in 2020. They comprise mainly laboratory and office space, but also 365 parking spaces. The total lettable area of the buildings is almost 11,000 sq m and it is fully occupied. The sole tenant of the property is the multinational company BWI, which focuses on the development, production, and sale of suspension systems and other selected parts and components for the automotive industry. The company's clients include brands such as BMW, Ford, Porsche, Audi, Ferrari, and Land Rover.
“The BWI research and development centre is secured on a long term lease. The acquisition is a major milestone in expanding the REICO ČS LONG LEASE fund and a clear message for shareholders and business partners on what to expect from the fund in the future,” says Tomáš Jandík, Chairman of the Board of Directors of REICO IS ČS.
The property is located in the Małopolska Region, in the immediate vicinity of Kraków Airport. The BWI research and development centre is located approximately 1 kilometre from the backbone A4 motorway, linking the country with Germany to the west and Ukraine to the east. The centre of Krakow is approximately 20 kilometres away and is easily accessible by all means of transport. The newly erected building was built to suit BWI, which had operated in another Kraków location for many years.
The REICO ČS LONG LEASE fund purchased the property from a joint venture of the US investment company InSite Real Estate and polish development company 7R. The buyer was represented in the transaction by White & Case, TPA, Knight Frank, and Arcadis.
REICO ČS LONG LEASE fund was established in January 2021 and it focuses on buildings with very-long-term lease agreements and creditworthy tenants. With the acquisition of the BWI research and development centre, the total market value of the fund’s portfolio currently reaches nearly CZK 1 billion.
