Unitech Corporate Parks Plc, the real estate investment company listed on London's Alternative Investment Market in which developer Unitech Ltd holds a 40 per cent stake, has decided to put one of its largest assets in India on the block with a valuation of Rs 3,000 crore.
At least 38 per cent, or 8.3 million square feet, of its projected commercial space of 21.4 million square feet in its six parks will thus remain indefinitely on hold. The rentals from all these parks were expected to generate revenues for its AIM-listed associate Unitech Corporate Park, which has invested pound 317 million to acquire majority stakes in all the six seed projects in return of leasing rights.
Six infotech special economic zone projects of the Unitech Group, which owns the country's second-biggest real estate company, have been delayed by as much as three years owing to slowing demand and delays in government approvals, sources said.
Real estate major Unitech plans to raise £360 mn(nearly Rs 31 billion) by listing on the London Stock Exchange.
Overseas investors questioned the difference between the net asset value of Unitech's Alternative Investment Market-listed Unitech Corporate Parks Plc fund and what the traded price of the units reflected. Company sources, however, maintained that investors were merely seeking information to understand the variance between the NAV of the fund, which was about 140 pence, and what its unit's trading price of 11.5 pence reflected.
Unitech, the country's second-largest property developer, is planning to raise nearly $1 billion (Rs 4,200 crore) in the current financial year from private equity players for its hotel, commercial and retail projects across the country.
The world's leading funds and financial institutions have invested in Unitech Corporate Parks Plc, the company that the Unitech Group floated last week at the London Alternative Investment Market.
UCP, recently incorporated in the Isle of Man, announced on Friday that it has placed 360 million ordinary shares of one pence each (face value) through the IPO as it aims to invest in the Indian real estate sector.
Leading real estate firm Unitech's investment arm Unitech Corporate Parks Plc on Monday said it has received nod from the Board of Approvals for establishment of IT Special Economic Zones at Greater Noida and Kolkata.
Approaches Morgan Stanley, GIC and Blackstone
The managing director of a US-based pension fund blamed the fall on the carnage in stock markets globally and the heavy pullout by investors. "Last year saw unprecedented pullouts by hedge funds as they faced huge redemption pressure. Lots of investors believed they had paid too much and sold off. Most of the funds were listed in 2006 when realty prices were high. But now, prices have come down in most parts of the world."
Welcome to the era of too many investors chasing a limited number of commercial real estate deals.
In commercial real estate, leasing of office space was higher although the activities were subdued in retail segment.
India's real estate industry staged a rebound from 2020's downturn, with housing sales seen rising by over 50 per cent. The performance, though short of pre-COVID levels, has property developers hoping for stronger gains in the New Year and the beginning of a long upcycle. A strong foundation has been laid this year for revival in the Indian real estate sector, which is projected to reach $1 trillion mark by 2030 from $200 billion in the pre-pandemic year.
No effect on ongoing projects, says company.