Columbia Property Trust has agreed to be acquired by funds managed by Pacific Investment Management Company LLC (PIMCO) for $3.9 billion including Columbia’s proportionate share of consolidated and unconsolidated debt. Under the terms of the agreement, which has been unanimously approved by Columbia’s Board of Directors, PIMCO will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Columbia common stock for $19.30 per share in cash. This represents a premium of approximately 27% over Columbia’s unaffected closing share price on March 12, 2021. During this time period the high barrier office sector has traded down 5%.
This transaction with PIMCO is the culmination of a comprehensive strategic review process undertaken by Columbia’s Board of Directors which was publicly announced in the spring of this year. As part of this process, Columbia’s Board and advisors invited nearly 90 potential counterparties to participate, including strategic acquirers, private equity firms and other investment management firms.
“We continue to believe that high-quality office buildings in major U.S. cities offer long-term value for our clients and Columbia has assembled a modernized, well-located portfolio of assets that we expect will perform well in the years ahead,” said John Murray, PIMCO Global Head of Private Commercial Real Estate.
The transaction is expected to close as early as year-end.
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC is serving as lead financial advisor to Columbia and Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz is serving as legal advisor. Eastdil Secured LLC and J.P. Morgan are also acting as financial advisors to Columbia.
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is serving as lead financial advisor to PIMCO and Latham & Watkins LLP and Milbank LLP are serving as legal advisors. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. is also acting as a financial advisor to PIMCO. Cushman & Wakefield is acting as a real estate consultant to PIMCO.
