Sweden-based global investment firm EQT Wednesday said its EQT Infrastructure V fund (EQT Infrastructure) has agreed to acquire Stockland Retirement Living, one of the largest providers of retirement living in Australia, from Stockland Group for A$987 million.
Stockland said the disposal price represents a ~1.9% discount to Stockland’s December 2021 book value of $1,006m.
Under the terms of the agreement, EQT will acquire Stockland’s portfolio of 58 established Retirement Living villages,10 development projects underway and in planning, along with the associated management platform.
As a result of the transaction, over 300 employees will transfer to EQT with the business.
CEO and Managing Director of Stockland, Tarun Gupta, said “I am delighted that we have found a strong Retirement Living owner and operator to acquire Stockland’s Retirement Living platform.
EQT is a purpose-led organisation with a well-established track record in healthcare, aged care and retirement living. We are confident that EQT will be the right custodian for the residents and employees, and are well placed to support the continued growth of the high quality Retirement Living platform.
We have an accomplished and dedicated team in our Retirement Living business, who will transfer to EQT at completion of the transaction. They continue to be focused on providing the best possible care and resident experience across the portfolio.
The announcement today does not impact on any of the arrangements with our residents. It will be business as usual for our residents, noting on completion they will have a new partner with significant experience in running industry leading retirement living villages.
The transaction also demonstrates that we are executing on the strategy announced in November 2021 to refocus our Communities business and reduce our capital exposure to Retirement Living.”
Partner and Head of Asia Pacific for EQT Infrastructure, Ken Wong, said: “From the outset we’ve been very impressed with the team and the first-rate retirement living portfolio Stockland have built.
Stockland Retirement Living is a clear leader in the Australian retirement living space and we are excited about working together as we transition the business toward a standalone platform that continues to develop and operate high-quality retirement villages.
With an aging Australian population and increased need for specialised care, we are excited to have the opportunity to use our significant global experience in the sector to enhance the range of services provided to current and future residents of Stockland’s villages.”
The transaction is expected to close in late Q2 2022.
