BentallGreenOak Announces Deal to Acquire Metropolitan Real Estate Equity Management

BentallGreenOak announced today the signing of an agreement to acquire Metropolitan Real Estate Equity, LLC (Metropolitan) from global investment firm The Carlyle Group Inc. (NASDAQ:CG). The deal adds Metropolitan’s integrated primary, secondary and co-investment real estate platform, with over USD$2.4 billion (as of December 31, 2020) in assets under management, to BentallGreenOak’s business to deliver further diversified investment strategies and enhanced global market presence for a leading, global real estate investment management advisor and a globally recognized provider of real estate services.

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The combination of BentallGreenOak and Metropolitan is poised to bring together two platforms with distinct and highly complementary real estate investment strategies, a commitment to continuity of leadership, and multiple drivers for immediate and future growth and additional scale.

“BentallGreenOak’s acquisition of Metropolitan was motivated by our relentless efforts to put our clients and investors first by providing them with access to an enhanced array of global investment strategies and opportunities,” said Sonny Kalsi, Chief Executive Officer of BentallGreenOak. “Our shared, positive outlook on the growth potential for secondary and co-investment opportunities in the commercial real estate market further cements our commitment to integrating this business into our platform and growing it into a global leader for the long term. We are confident that the cultural alignment and history of strong relationships we share with Metropolitan’s senior management team makes this deal a seamless fit for both firms.”

“We are excited to join BentallGreenOak’s broad global real estate platform,” said Sarah Schwarzschild and John So, Co-Heads of Metropolitan Real Estate. “Our shared focus on investment performance, entrepreneurial mindset, and the complementary nature of our businesses makes BentallGreenOak both a strong strategic and cultural fit for the Metropolitan team. We will look to leverage BentallGreenOak’s deep real estate resources to drive future value for our investors and accelerate growth opportunities for Metropolitan’s secondaries, co-investment and separately managed account businesses.”

BentallGreenOak received legal advice from Akin Gump and Carlyle was represented by Latham and Watkins.

Terms of the agreement have not been publicly disclosed. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. Closing of the deal is expected to occur in the first half of 2021.

About BentallGreenOak

BentallGreenOak is a leading, global real estate investment management advisor and a globally-recognized provider of real estate services. BentallGreenOak serves the interests of more than 750 institutional clients with approximately $53 billion USD of assets under management (as of December 31, 2020) and expertise in the asset management of office, industrial, multi-residential, retail and hotel property across the globe. BentallGreenOak has offices in 24 cities across twelve countries with deep, local knowledge, experience, and extensive networks in the regions where we invest in and manage real estate assets on behalf of our clients. BentallGreenOak is a part of SLC Management, which is the alternatives asset management business of Sun Life.

The assets under management shown above include real estate equity and mortgage investments managed by the BentallGreenOak group of companies and their affiliates.

For more information, please visit www.bentallgreenoak.com.

About Metropolitan Real Estate Equity, LLC

Metropolitan Real Estate was founded in 2002 and manages U.S., non-U.S., and global closed-end real estate funds and custom account programs that make value-add and opportunistic multi-manager investments. Metropolitan makes primary commitments to funds, acquires fund interests on the secondary market and participates in direct co-investments with managers. As of December 31, 2020, Metropolitan has invested with over 120 managers across 274 fund investments with exposure to over 5,000 assets globally. Since its inception, Metropolitan has sponsored and managed 38 closed-end private equity real estate multi-manager funds and several custom account programs. Metropolitan has offices in New York (headquarters), London and Hong Kong. It has a 30+ person team across Investments, Legal & Compliance, Fund Management, Finance & Accounting, and Investor Relations.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of certain securities laws, including the "safe harbour" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation. Information about risk factors relating to Sun Life (and SLC Management) can be found in the annual information form of Sun Life Financial Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2020 under the heading "Risk Factors" and other regulatory filings filed with or furnished to Canadian and U.S. securities regulators available at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov.

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