Summary of Transaction Headlines

CoStar | “Walgreens Agrees to be Acquired by Private Equity Firm for Almost $10 Billion”

Walgreens Boots Alliance will become privately held in a takeover by the investment firm Sycamore Partners for more than $10 Billion. The deal, which pays $11.45 per share, 29% above the December stock price, comes after years of Walgreens’ pharmacy closings and plummeting stock, in part due to a disastrous rollout of clinics attached to stores. Sycamore, a private equity firm specializing in consumer, distribution, and retail-related investments, also agreed to “one non-transferable right” to receive up to $3 in cash per Walgreens Boots Alliance share “from the future monetization of WBA’s debt and equity interests in VillageMD, which includes the Village Medical, Summit Health, and CityMD businesses,” the companies said of Walgreens’ primary care businesses.

Bisnow | “Blackstone Matches Record With $8 Billion Raised for New Real Estate Debt Fund”

Blackstone closed its latest commercial property debt fund with $8 Billion raised, matching the record for similar investment vehicles. Blackstone Real Estate Debt Strategies V will target assets in North America, Europe, and Australia. The fund has been tailored to capitalize on the capital dislocations in the market and the $1.5 Trillion wall of debt maturities coming due this year.

IREI | “Azora to Invest €2 Billion ($2.18 Billion USD) in Zaragoza Data Center”

Azora, through its subsidiary platform, Tillion Data Centers, has announced the development of a new data center in Zaragoza, located in the region of Aragon, Spain. With an initial capacity of 150 Megawatts, expandable up to 300 Megawatts, Azora plans to invest up to €2 Billion ($2.18 Billion USD) in the project. An additional €5 Billion ($5.42 Billion USD) of investment will be made by end users for computing equipment for the data center.

PR Newswire | “Brookfield, North America Sekisui House Expand Partnership to $1.6 Billion in U.S. Real Estate”

Brookfield Residential and North America Sekisui House (NASH) are pleased to announce the expansion of their strategic partnership. NASH has invested in five Brookfield Residential master-planned communities (MPCs). With this latest development, the partnership’s combined total real estate assets in the United States now total approximately $1.6 Billion. This expansion reinforces the partnership’s leadership in residential land development and underscores Brookfield Residential’s and NASH’s commitment to delivering high-quality communities.

Business Wire | “Franklin BSP Realty Trust, Inc. Announces Acquisition of NewPoint Holdings JV LLC”

Franklin BSP Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: FBRT), a leading real estate investment trust, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire NewPoint Holdings JV LLC (“NewPoint”), a privately held commercial real estate finance company headquartered in Plano, Texas. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.

American Journal of Transportation | “Oak Brook’s CenterPoint Properties Names New CEO”

Oak Brook, Illinois-based CenterPoint Properties announced the retirement of its Chief Executive Officer, Bob Chapman, effective July 1. Chapman has been with CenterPoint for over 10 years, during which he has driven the company’s growth and expansion into strategic new markets. As part of CenterPoint’s succession plan, Jim Clewlow, currently Chief Operating Officer, will assume the position of Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1.

Housing Today | “Barratt Redrow COO and Deputy CEO to Retire”

The Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Group Chief Executive at housebuilder giant Barratt Redrow has announced his retirement. Steven Boyes will stand down on 6 September, although he will “remain available” to Barratt until next March. Boyes joined Barratt in 1978 as a Junior Quantity Surveyor and worked in numerous roles for the firm over the years.

IREI | “Round Hill Capital Appoints New COO”

Round Hill Capital has appointed Sandra Burrows as COO. Burrows brings more than 17 years of operations and change management as well as investor relations experience and joins as Round Hill Capital seeks to accelerate the growth of its European Living portfolio. Based in London, Burrows will be responsible for driving operational improvements and transformative initiatives and ensuring robust governance frameworks that align with and support Round Hill Capital’s long-term growth strategy.

IREI | “Cortland Names Three New Members to its Team”

Cortland has named three new members to its team: Sandra Kim-Suk, CFO; Michelle Johnstone, Executive Vice President of Client Relations; and Chelsea Holder, Capital Markets and Head of Investor Relations. Kim-Suk will lead the firm’s financing and capital strategies, financial reporting, governance, and tax structuring and help to drive company profitability.