Blackstone to Buy BioMed Realty in $8 Billion Transaction

BioMed Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: BMR) said Oct. 8 that private equity firm Blackstone Group L.P. has agreed to acquire the life sciences office and lab space REIT in an all-cash transaction valued at $ 8 billion.

Blackstone’s real estate arm, Blackstone Real Estate Partners VIII, will pay $ 23.75 for each outstanding BioMed common share. This represents a premium of about 24 percent above the closing stock price on Sept. 22, the last date before speculation began about a potential sale of the company.

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Blackstone to Purchase Strategic Hotels for $6 Billion

Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: BEE) said Sept. 8 that private equity firm Blackstone Group LP has agreed to purchase the REIT for approximately $ 6 billion.

Blackstone agreed to pay $ 14.25 in cash for each Strategic share. That represents a premium of approximately 13 percent above the intra-day trading price on July 23, when a news report pointed to a potential transaction. The acquisition includes Strategic subsidiary Strategic Hotels Funding LLC as well as all of the firm’s outstanding debt.

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Gray Says Blackstone Bullish on Asia and South America

Jonathan Gray

On the opening day of REITWeek 2014, Jonathan Gray, global head of real estate at private-equity firm Blackstone, sat down with Public Storage (NYSE: PSA) chairman and CEO Ronald Havner, Jr. for a wide-ranging discussion of commercial real estate topics. Gray’s remarks covered prospects for different geographic markets and property segments, as well as the overall investment landscape.

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