SQY Ouest is a modern retail and leisure scheme developed in 2005. Located 20 km southwest of Paris, it is adjacent to Espace Saint Quentin (a 59,000-m² shopping center, 28,000 m² of which is jointly owned by Hammerson and Allianz).

SQY Ouest benefits from good transport links and has over 45 retailers on four floors, including international brands such as Bershka, GoSport, Virgin Megastore and Zara. The top floor is anchored by one of UGC’s most successful multiplex cinemas. SQY Ouest is currently 87% occupied, and the yield on purchase price is 9.2%, after taking account of vacancy charges and other direct costs.

To address certain configuration and leasing issues a restructuring of the center was initiated, but not completed, by the previous owner. As a consequence, there is an opportunity to reconfigure the existing center by introducing new anchor tenants, improving the catering offer, and creating additional retail space. Hammerson will manage the center.

Hammerson was advised on the transaction by Arsene Taxand and Gide Loyrette Nouel.

David Atkins, Chief Executive of Hammerson, said: "This is an exciting opportunity to generate strong returns for shareholders by repositioning and improving SQY Ouest. The center will benefit from the expertise of our French team, who will apply a coordinated management approach to both SQY Ouest and Espace Saint Quentin.”

Source: Hammerson