Shopping centre specialist ECE relies on Allen & Overy for debut bond issue

The bond had a volume of 100 million euros and was issued to institutional investors in a private placement.  The issue serves to finance a real estate portfolio transaction in connection with the newly launched ECE Preferred Equity Fund, which involved the contribution of a portfolio comprising three neighbourhood centres with a market value of EUR500 million.

Issuing its first bond and launching its first preferred equity fund marked a double debut for ECE Real Estate Partners, at the same time widening the range of offers for institutional investors by introducing new financial products.

ECE offers a broad range of services, in particular for real estate investors and owners, which it provides on its own or together with its partners.  It also provides asset, property and facility management services to customers.  ECE or the Otto family acts as real estate investor and buyer via the ECE funds and other investment vehicles.

The Allen & Overy team comprised partner Dr Stefan Henkelmann, counsel Jens Nollmann and associate Sina Kokot (all Capital Markets, Frankfurt).