Morguard Announces Office and Industrial Acquisitions in Edmonton, AB Totaling $200 Million CDN

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Dec. 16, 2013 /CNW/ - Morguard Investments Limited ("Morguard") announced today that it closed two separate deals on behalf of its pension fund clients to purchase a Class A Office tower and a Class A Industrial portfolio in Edmonton, AB totaling more than $200 million CDN.

The first purchase agreement features a 372,000 SF Class A Office tower acquired by Morguard on behalf of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) and another pension fund client. Located at 44 Capital in downtown Edmonton at the centre of the Government District, it is the largest and most prestigious Office building in the area. The property boasts one of the strongest credit rent rolls in Canada with high investment grade tenants.

The second purchase agreement features a Class A Industrial portfolio acquired by Morguard on behalf of MIL Industrial Fund II Limited Partnership and a pension fund client. The 544,000 SF institutional grade, five building portfolio has a strong mix of service, manufacturing and distribution tenants providing excellent income diversification and is 100% leased. These new generation buildings are located in Edmonton, AB, considered one of the strongest industrial markets in Canada. The Industrial Portfolio includes: Brier Business Centre (9404 39 Avenue NW), Loomis Express (10918 184 Street NW), EMCO (10930 184 Street NW), Crossroads A (11104 180 Street NW) and Crossroads B (18003 114 Avenue NW).

"Edmonton is experiencing robust growth and is a market that we see as offering solid investment opportunities for institutional investors," said Stephen Taylor, President and COO, Morguard Investments Limited.  "The City recorded the highest level of GDP growth across the major metropolitan markets in Canada in 2012 expanding at 5.1%, well above the national average of 1.9%.  This is due to its unique position to support vital services to the oil and gas industry."

"The Class A Office acquisition is further affirmation of HOOPP's commitment to its investment platform in Edmonton, which includes the substantial ownership of Telus Plaza and an expanding industrial portfolio," said Michael Catford, VP Real Estate, HOOPP.  "We are pleased to be associated with Morguard and our pension fund partner in this new acquisition."

Morguard will assume property management and asset management for both the Class A Office tower and Industrial portfolio acquisitions.  The purchase agreements add more than 900,000 SF of Office and Industrial assets to Morguard's total assets under management valued at approximately $14.7 billion.

About Morguard
Morguard Investments Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morguard Corporation (TSX: MRC), provides real estate advisory services to institutional investors. Morguard Corporation is a major North American real estate and property management company.  It has extensive retail, office, industrial and residential holdings owned directly and through its investment in Morguard REIT (TSX: MRT.UN) and Morguard North American Residential REIT (TSX: MRG.UN).

About the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan

Created in 1960, HOOPP is the pension plan of choice for Ontario's hospital and community-based healthcare sector with over 440 participating healthcare organizations. HOOPP's 274,000 members include nurses, medical technicians, food services staff and laundry workers, and many other people who work hard to provide valued Ontario healthcare services.  As a defined benefit plan, HOOPP provides eligible members with a retirement income based on a formula that takes into account a member's earnings history and length of service in the Plan. Once eligible members start receiving a pension, they receive it for life.

SOURCE Morguard Corporation