Poland’s Echo Polska Properties eyes dual listing on JSE and LuxSE

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Echo Polska Properties (EPP) CEO, Hadley Dean says the listing on the LuxSE and the JSE is anticipated to provide it with significantly improved access to expansionary capital and provide existing and future shareholders with an opportunity to invest in a Echo Polska Properties (EPP) CEO, Hadley Dean says the listing on the LuxSE and the JSE is anticipated to provide it with significantly improved access to expansionary capital and provide existing and future shareholders with an opportunity to invest in a

Echo Polska Properties (EPP), in which South Africa’s Redefine Properties holds a 49.9% stake, is aiming to list on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange (LuxSE) followed by a listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).

The Polish based seeks to make debut on LuxSE in August and JSE in September.

EPP is in the process of seeking a dual primary listing in the “Real Estate – Real Estate Holdings and Development” sector on the Main Board of the JSE, under the abbreviated name: “PolskProp” and JSE share code: EPP and on the Euro MTF market of the LuxSE.

“EPP’s listing on the LuxSE and the JSE is anticipated to provide it with significantly improved access to expansionary capital and provide existing and future shareholders with an opportunity to invest in a dynamic and highly-attractive economy,” says Hadley Dean, CEO of EPP.

The value of EPP’s initial portfolio as at 30 June 2016 was EUR 1.2 billion, with retail properties comprising 78% of the initial portfolio by market value.

Currently, EPP owns 6 office and 10 retail properties with a gross leasable area (GLA) totalling 446,400 square metres. The buildings are located in major cities across Poland, and were all built by Echo Investment. EPP is backed by an experienced board and staff complement, which continues to drive its development into one of the largest property funds in Poland.

Dean says EPP has the potential to double in size over the next two years, in part due to some potentially significant investment opportunities available to the company.

EPP has a 25% development profit participation in and has also secured the right of first offer from Echo Investment to purchase 7 properties (known as ROFO projects) with a total GLA of approximately 200,000 square metres. The ROFO projects are at various stages of construction and are set to be completed between 2016 and 2018.

In addition to organic growth of its property portfolio, EPP has significant growth opportunities embedded by virtue of extensions, reduction in vacancy rates and arrangements regarding the ROFO projects. EPP is also well placed to leverage off the development activities of Echo Investment, thereby providing the company with a significant advantage in the identification and sourcing of high quality real estate assets.

With concerns about Brexit swirling, Dean says Poland is well-placed to weather the storm of any market volatility, with opportunities for inexpensive space a positive outcome flowing from Brexit for Poland.

“Big banks are actively seeking more space for their back offices now, so Poland is set to benefit hugely by Brexit as the banks are looking to snap up office space that is almost 60% cheaper than in London. Moreover, they stand to benefit immensely from the Polish skill sets and lower human resources costs,” he says.

Poland is the largest economy in Central Europe and was the only country in Europe to avoid recession during the 2008 global financial crisis, mainly due to its own currency, strong domestic market, independent central bank with a solid track record and a conservative banking system.

“Poland has a large, stable and liquid real estate market which has become increasingly attractive to foreign investors over the last few years due to its high growth potential and scalability, and shareholders stand to benefit from the returns that will emanate from high quality, modern and sizeable properties,” says Dean.

Redefine acquired its interest in EPP on 1 June 2016, marking the largest ever real estate investment transaction in Poland, as well as the largest ever single transaction by a South African company of income generating real estate assets in Central Eastern Europe. Redefine CEO Andrew Konig called the listing of EPP a “powerful strategic move” to generate growth and development in an exciting offshore jurisdiction.” Konig says EPP’s opportunity pipeline holds significant potential.

EPP has the benefit of long-term strategic investors with a wealth of real estate experience and proven track records. Besides Redefine, strategic investors include Echo Investment, a recognised market leader in the Polish commercial and residential property development and investment space.

Echo Investment is backed by dynamically developing capital group of Griffin Real Estate – Oaktree – PIMCO (Pacific Investment Management Company). The portfolio of Griffin Real Estate includes many commercial properties and investment land located in all major Polish cites.

Dean made it clear that the listing is aimed at EPP raising new equity capital to fund acquisitions and that the existing shareholders would not be exiting their investment on the listing.

Further information on a capital raise and placement of shares to be undertaken by EPP to coincide with its listing on the JSE will be available during an investor roadshow in August.



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