PS Business Parks, Inc. Closes Lusk Business Park Disposition

Rhea-AI Summary

PS Business Parks has completed the sale of Lusk Business Park in San Diego for $315.4 million. After transaction costs, the net proceeds were $311.1 million. The company anticipates that about $50.5 million will qualify for a Section 1031 exchange related to its acquisition of Port America Industrial Park in Dallas. If suitable exchange opportunities aren't found, a one-time special dividend of $166.0 million to $183.5 million (or $4.75 to $5.25 per share) will be declared. The proceeds will also be used to redeem Series W preferred shares on November 3, 2021.

Positive

• Successful sale of Lusk Business Park for $315.4 million, providing substantial net proceeds of $311.1 million.
• Potential special dividend range of $4.75 to $5.25 per share, benefiting shareholders.

Negative

• Uncertainty around finding suitable Section 1031 exchange opportunities for remaining proceeds.
• Economic risks due to COVID-19 impacting business operations and potential rent fluctuations.

GLENDALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- PS Business Parks, Inc. (NYSE:PSB) (the “Company”) announced today that it has closed on the previously announced sale of its Lusk Business Park, located in the Sorrento Mesa submarket of San Diego, California, to an affiliate of Longfellow Real Estate Partners (the “Buyer”) for a gross purchase price of $315.4 million (the “Lusk Sale”). The Company noted that net proceeds from the Lusk Sale, after payment of transaction costs, were $311.1 million.

“We are pleased to announce the completion of the Lusk Business Park sale,” said Mac Chandler, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We would like to thank Longfellow Real Estate Partners for being a terrific counterparty, and we wish them well with their planned development of the property. We’d also like to thank our brokerage team at JLL for their role in facilitating a smooth and orderly transaction with exceptional sale metrics.”

The Company re-affirmed that it anticipates approximately $50.5 million of the net sale proceeds will qualify as a Section 1031 exchange for its recently acquired Port America Industrial Park in Dallas, Texas. If the Company is unable to find suitable Section 1031 exchange opportunities for the remainder of the net sale proceeds from the Lusk Sale by year end, it expects to declare and pay, by year end, a one-time special dividend sourced by a portion of the disposition proceeds. The actual amount of any special dividend will be determined by the Company based on its estimate of 2021 REIT taxable income. Based on its preliminary estimate of 2021 REIT taxable income, the Company currently expects the special dividend would be between $166.0 million and $183.5 million, or $4.75 to $5.25 per common share and unit. The remainder of the net sale proceeds will be available to the Company for use for the redemption of its Series W preferred shares which yield a preferred coupon rate of 5.2% which the Company recently announced it will redeem in full on November 3, 2021.

Company Information

PS Business Parks, Inc., a S&P MidCap 400 company, is a REIT that acquires, develops, owns, and operates commercial properties, predominantly multi-tenant industrial, industrial-flex, and low-rise suburban office. Located primarily in major coastal markets, PS Business Parks’ 96 properties serve approximately 4,900 tenants in 28 million square feet. The portfolio also includes 800 residential units (inclusive of units in-process).

Forward-Looking Statements

When used within this press release, the words “may,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “intends,” and similar expressions are intended to identify “forward-looking statements.” Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which may cause the actual results and performance of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include the availability of suitable Section 1031 exchange opportunities for the remainder of the net sale proceeds from the Lusk Sale; the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our business and our customers; the impact of competition from new and existing commercial facilities which could impact rents and occupancy levels at the Company’s facilities; the Company’s ability to evaluate, finance, and integrate acquired and developed properties into the Company’s existing operations; the Company’s ability to effectively compete in the markets that it does business in; the impact of the regulatory environment as well as national, state, and local laws and regulations including, without limitation, those governing REITs; security breaches, including ransomware, or a failure of the Company’s networks, systems, or technology, which could adversely impact the Company’s operations or its business, customer and employee relationships or result in fraudulent payments; the impact of general economic and business conditions, including as a result of the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic; rental rates and occupancy levels at the Company’s facilities; and changes in these conditions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the availability of permanent capital at attractive rates, the outlook and actions of rating agencies and risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s SEC reports, including quarterly reports on Form 10‑Q, reports on Form 8-K, and annual reports on Form 10‑K.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211019006206/en/

Jeff Hedges

(818) 244-8080, Ext. 1649

Source: PS Business Parks, Inc.

FAQ

What was the sale price of Lusk Business Park by PS Business Parks?

PS Business Parks sold Lusk Business Park for $315.4 million.

When is the special dividend from PS Business Parks expected to be declared?

The special dividend from PS Business Parks is expected to be declared by year-end.

What is the estimated range for the special dividend from the Lusk Sale?

The estimated special dividend range is between $166.0 million and $183.5 million, or $4.75 to $5.25 per share.

What will PS Business Parks do with the proceeds from the Lusk Sale?

The proceeds will be used for a Section 1031 exchange and to redeem Series W preferred shares on November 3, 2021.

Who purchased the Lusk Business Park from PS Business Parks?

The Lusk Business Park was purchased by an affiliate of Longfellow Real Estate Partners.