LaSalle Investment Management has made its first senior living investment in continental Europe with the acquisition of a fully pre-let property in central Toulouse through a forward-funding agreement with the French developer Cogedim.
The transaction has been made on behalf of LaSalle’s pan-European fund Encore+ and also represents the fund’s first investment in the senior living space.
With a newly-established Europe-wide Living and Hospitality asset management platform – currently responsible for £3 billion (€3.6bn) of assets, with 13,000 beds across student housing, build-to-rent, senior living, healthcare and hotels – LaSalle is set to grow its presence in alternative sectors across Europe.
Quai Saint-Pierre, the senior living property in Toulouse, will comprise three connected buildings with over 4,500m² in total area, including 89 flats and 43 car parking units. The property will offer excellent amenities to its residents across almost 700m2 of communal spaces, including a restaurant, swimming pool, TV room, library, fitness room, terraces and gardens.
Cogedim Club, the developer’s in-house and senior living management operator, will manage the asset following completion of construction, which is scheduled for Q2 2024.
Located in the city-centre Capitole district of Toulouse, the asset will benefit from its excellent macro and micro location. Toulouse is the fourth largest city in France and one of the country’s most attractive urban areas, experiencing a population growth of twice the national average between 2012 and 2017. The city is well-connected to Paris via a high-speed train line and, located between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean, enjoys a temperate climate. On a micro level, the asset is situated in one of the most sought-after and affluent areas of the city, positioned right alongside the banks of the Garonne River. The building will be well-served by close links to public transport, major road networks and Toulouse Airport.
Beverley Kilbride, Head of France and Head of Transactions & Asset Management Europe at LaSalle, said: “This is a landmark transaction for LaSalle as we drive forward our strategy to increase our footprint in alternative sectors across Europe. The market fundamentals are very strong in France, and the combination of long-term demographic changes and the shifting needs of Senior Services Residences has fuelled strong investor demand in the senior living sector over recent years. We look forward to strengthening our portfolio in this area.”
David Ironside, Fund Manager for Encore+ at LaSalle, commented: “This forward-funding deal is a significant milestone, marking our first step into the senior living sector. This forms part of our strategy to increase exposure of Encore+ to alternative property sectors, diversifying our existing asset portfolio. The senior living market is growing as citizens increasingly look to avoid social isolation later in life and reside in higher-quality, fit-for-purpose homes, which fully provide for their needs. Given the long-term letting and its pre-let status, the asset will provide secured and sustainable income for the Fund into the future.”
