Property Types Retail
Simon to Sell $1.5B in Senior Notes
May 13, 2008
By: Dees Stribling, Midwest Correspondent

In a time when borrowing can be a daunting task, even for entities with sterling credit histories, companies are turning to other means to raise the capital they need, according to industry experts.

Pursuing just such a financing strategy, retail property giant Simon Property Group unveiled plans today to sell $1.5 billion of senior notes of its majority-owned partnership subsidiary, Simon Property Group L.P.

Indianapolis-based Simon isn't alone, even among major real estate companies. Late last month, for example, industrial property specialist ProLogis announced its intention to sell a total of $700 million worth of convertible senior notes and fixed-rate senior notes.

The Simon public offering will be underwritten through Banc of America Securities L.L.C., Citi Markets & Banking, Deutsche Bank Securities and Goldman, Sachs & Co., as joint book-running managers, and Daiwa Securities America Inc., ING Wholesale, Piper Jaffray and Scotia Capital as co-managers. The offering consists of $700 million of 5.3 percent notes due 2013 and $800 million of 6.125 percent notes due 2018. Each tranche of notes is priced to yield 235 basis points above its respective Treasury benchmark. The offering is expected to close on May 19.

According to Simon, it will use net proceeds from the offering to reduce the outstanding balance on its corporate credit facility, and for other purposes. The REIT currently owns or has an interest in 382 properties totaling 260 million square feet worldwide.

 
Recent Retail Headlines
Financing Closes for New Jersey Retail/Office Center
The 185,000-square-foot office and retail property at 2143 State Route 35 in Holmdel, N.J., has been financed to the tune of $17.4 million.
Gramercy Taps Carlton to Auction 74 Bank, Retail Assets
Carlton Advisory Services Inc. has taken on the role of exclusive sealed bid advisor for the disposition of 74 former bank branch and retail properties on behalf of Gramercy Capital Corp., which operates its commercial real estate business under the name Gramercy Realty.
Retail Risk Trails Other Sectors in CCIM Survey, But Roots Remain Strong
The return and value of retail assets has recently slipped relative to other categories, according to a recent survey of CCIM designees and candidates. Given consumer worries about high prices and the burdens facing retail tenants, the survey results come as no surprise, said Kenneth Riggs, president & CEO of Real Estate Research Corp.
Target to Open Four Pop-Up Stores in New York
Minneapolis-based Target Corp. announced that it is launching Bullseye Bodegas, four pop-up stores in New York that celebrate the retailer's designer partnerships.
General Growth Pays Down $391M in Short-Term Debt
As part of its ongoing effort to deal with some $18.4 billion in debt that's scheduled to come due over the next three-and-a-half years, Chicago-based General Growth Properties has completed the repayment of $391 million in near-term mortgage loans.