Orion buys Wakefield shopping centre

Ares Management, together with Sovereign Land and Shepherd Construction, today announced the sale of the Trinity Walk Shopping Centre, in Wakefield, to Orion European Real Estate Fund IV, which is sponsored by Orion Capital Managers.

The price was not disclosed, but reports indicated that the 550,000-sq-ft centre had been acquired for around £150m.

A spokesman for Orion said: “Since purchasing Trinity Walk in 2009, Ares Management, Sovereign Land and Shepherd Construction, have completed the partially built shopping centre and created the popular retail destination it is today.

“Trinity Walk opened in May 2011, as one of only three new shopping centres in the UK that year, with more than 90 per cent of the floor space pre-let.

“The centre is anchored by a Debenhams department store, a Sainsbury’s superstore, and more than 50 shops including top brands such as Next, H&M, ASDA Living, Argos and New Look.”

Wilson Lamont, a partner of Ares Management, said: “Since acquiring Trinity Walk during the depths of the recession, we are delighted to have completed its construction and created a highly successful, dominant retail destination with market-leading tenants that attracts well over 10m shoppers a year.”

Aref Lahham, the managing director of Orion Capital Managers, said: “We look forward to progressing the expansion plans that have already been identified by Ares and Sovereign Land.”

CBRE acted for Ares Management while Savills acted for Orion Capital Managers in connection with the sale