Press Release Source: Parkway Properties, Inc.
Friday April 28, 9:31 am ET
Parkway Properties Announces Agreement to Acquire Downtown Chicago
Office Property
- The acquisition will contribute approximately $.06 to Funds from
Operations (FFO) per diluted share in 2006.
- The acquisition will contribute approximately $400,000 to Funds
Available for Distribution (FAD) in 2006.
- Parkway expects to form a joint venture following the acquisition that
will include this asset.
- Illinois Center is one of the country's largest mixed-use developments
and includes hotel, office, residential and retail space.
- Located within Illinois Center, the purchase combines ownership of One
and Two Illinois Center, consistent with the developer's original
vision.
- The asset has a quality rent roll with long-term leases with upside
potential from below market average net rents of $13.34.
JACKSON, Miss., April 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Parkway
Properties, Inc. (NYSE: PKY - News; the "Company") today announced that
it has entered into an agreement to acquire the fee simple interest in
One Illinois Center, an office building located at 111 East Wacker
Drive, and the attached four-level structured parking garage in Chicago,
Illinois for $198 million. After including closing costs and transfer
taxes of approximately $1.6 million, anticipated building improvements
of $3.7 million and projected leasing costs of $12.0 million in the
first two years of ownership, the total purchase price is expected to be
approximately $215.3 million. The building contains 1,003,000 Rentable
Square Feet ("RSF"), which includes office and retail space. The
purchase price represents a cost of approximately $215 per rentable
square foot, which is an estimated 23% discount to current estimated
replacement cost of $280 per rentable square foot. Excluding the cost of
the parking garage, the price per rentable square foot is $205. The
agreement, which is subject to customary due diligence procedures and
closing conditions, is expected to close in the second quarter.
One Illinois Center is located within Illinois Center, one of
America's premier mixed-use urban projects, which has an estimated
daytime population of 40,000 employees plus 3,342 hotel rooms and over
4,000 residential units. The building is 86% leased to 38 office
customers and 16 retail customers, with only 89,000 square feet of
leases expiring prior to December 2010. Health Care Services Corporation
(operating as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois) is the largest
customer in the building at 202,000 square feet (20% of the building)
with a lease that expires in March 2017. Other large customers in the
building include Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, the law firm of
Shefsky & Froelich, and GolinHarris Communications, Inc., a public
relations firm, which combine to account for an additional 266,000
square feet (27% of the building) under leases expiring in July 2011 and
beyond.
The 32-story building includes 969,500 RSF of Class A office space
and 33,500 RSF of retail space and was constructed in 1970. The building
underwent an $18 million renovation between 1997 and 2001. Improvements
included complete renovation of the lobby, a new fire-safety system, new
entry finishes, renovation of all elevator cabs and mechanical systems,
upgrades to over 75% of the restrooms, replacement of the roof,
significant upgrades to building mechanical and electrical systems and
substantial upgrades to the parking garage. Designed by the
internationally recognized architectural firm of Ludwig Mies van der
Rohe, the building is a mirror image of the 233 North Michigan building,
which Parkway also owns. The two buildings share a four- level,
below-grade parking garage with a maximum capacity of 870 vehicles that
is accessible from East Wacker Drive, South Water Street and Stetson
Street. The retail space is located on the lower level concourse with
access to surrounding properties and public transportation. The Company
expects that the combined ownership, consistent with the developer's
original intentions, will produce benefits in leasing, cost-savings and
enhance the overall value of the development.
Upon closing of the acquisition, the building will be managed by
Parkway Realty Services. The Company will contract with third parties
for new office leasing and both new and renewal retail leasing.
Additionally, Jay Buckley will move to Chicago to supervise all
management and leasing efforts of the Chicago portfolio and serve as
Senior Vice President and Asset Manager. Jay currently serves as Vice
President and Asset Manager for Tennessee, which represents 1,993,000
square feet of the Company's portfolio. During his six-year tenure with
Parkway, Jay has been a successful participant in Parkway's "boot camp"
and "parachute" programs and has held numerous positions at Parkway,
including Investor Relations Officer.
Including estimated amortization of above/below market leases
recorded under FAS 141 and straight line rent, the investment is
expected to add approximately $.06 to FFO per diluted share in 2006,
$.05 in 2007 and $.15 in 2008. Additionally, it is expected to add
approximately $400,000 to FAD in 2006, $400,000 in 2007, and $1.6
million in 2008. Excluding straight line rent and above/below market
lease amortization, the purchase would add $.03, $.02 and $.15 to FFO
per diluted share in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
This purchase will be funded by a $148.5 million non-recourse fixed
rate first mortgage at an estimated 117 basis point spread over the
10-year US Treasury rate, currently calculated to be 6.27%, and
amortized over 30 years with a 10-year maturity. Additional purchase
funding will come from $49.5 million drawn under existing lines of
credit. The Company intends to repay amounts drawn under lines of credit
with proceeds from the pending sales of two assets, which are expected
to produce net cash proceeds to the Company of approximately $35.6
million in June 2006. Furthermore, the Company expects to form a joint
venture later in 2006 including this asset, with Parkway retaining an
ownership interest of approximately 25%. Proceeds from the formation of
the joint venture will be used to further reduce amounts drawn under
bank lines of credit.
The projected initial unleveraged yield (going-in cap rate) is
approximately 6.3%, calculated using first year estimated net operating
income of $13.5 million and the total purchase price of $215.3 million;
an unleveraged internal rate of return of 8.7%; and a leveraged internal
rate of return of 12.7%. In the proposed joint venture structure
assuming a 25% retained ownership, the going-in cap rate to Parkway
would be 7.2%, the unleveraged internal rate of return would be 9.7% and
the leveraged internal rate of return would be 16.4%. Tables 5 and 6
list the assumptions used to calculate these economic returns.
Following the purchase of 111 East Wacker Drive, Parkway will own or
have an interest in approximately 13,232,000 square feet of office
space. Chicago will become the Company's second largest market on a
square foot basis with 2,073,000 square feet, representing 16% of the
portfolio based on square footage and 24% of the portfolio based on
annualized rental revenue. Houston will remain the Company's largest
market on a square foot basis with 2,246,000 square feet, representing
17% of the portfolio based on square footage, and 16% of the portfolio
based on annualized rental revenue.
Steven G. Rogers, President and CEO, stated, "We are pleased to be
expanding our presence in the Chicago market with the purchase of One
Illinois Center located at 111 East Wacker Drive. This landmark asset
advances Parkway's strategy of investing in central business districts
in select institutional markets. We are enthusiastic about the
revitalization and re-urbanization of downtown Chicago, and in
particular the New East Side, in which the building is located. This
submarket has numerous projects planned and underway including the
28-acre Lakeshore East development, Millennium Park and the 65-story
Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Chicago continues to be one of the Nation's top
most livable 24-hour cities and represents an opportunity relative to
valuations and other major metro areas, particularly on the East and
West coasts.
The quality, credit-worthiness and diversification of the customer
base complement our existing portfolio. We believe that Parkway's
discipline and Focus on Operations will allow us to execute the same
leasing and customer retention strategies that we employed successfully
at 233 North Michigan Avenue since our initial purchase in 2001. At 233,
we leased a total of 267,000 square feet of new leases and 160,000
square feet of renewal and expansions leases in five years and are
currently 95% leased. The positive financial impact of this acquisition
will assist us in achieving our GEAR UP Plan by making a material
positive impact on FFO and FAD. Consistent with our stated goal of
evolving from an owner-operator to an operator-owner, we intend to
combine 111 East Wacker with 233 North Michigan and form a joint venture
to own both assets with an institutional partner. The economic benefit
of this will improve our cap rate, internal rates of return and return
on equity to our common shareholders."
Parkway Properties, Inc., a member of the S&P Small Cap 600 Index, is
a self-administered real estate investment trust specializing in the
operation, acquisition, ownership, management, and leasing of office
properties. The Company is geographically focused on the Southeastern
and Southwestern United States and Chicago. Parkway owns or has an
interest in 66 office properties located in 11 states with an aggregate
of approximately 12,229,000 square feet of leasable space as of April
28, 2006. The Company also offers fee-based real estate services through
its wholly owned subsidiary, Parkway Realty Services, to its owned
properties and to its third party and minority interest properties.
Parkway Properties, Inc.'s press releases and additional information
about the Company are available at http://www.pky.com.
Certain portions of this press release may contain forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Section 27A of the Securities Act
of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Forward-looking statements include those that are not in the present or
past tense that discuss the Company's beliefs, expectations or
intentions or those pertaining to the Company's capital resources or
estimates of market rental rates. Forward-looking statements involve
numerous risks and uncertainties. The following factors, among others
discussed in the Company's filings under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, could cause actual results and future events to differ materially
from those set forth or contemplated in the forward- looking statements:
failure of the acquisition to be consummated, defaults under or
non-renewal of leases, increases in market interest rates, increases in
operating costs, failure to obtain necessary outside financing,
environmental uncertainties, financial market fluctuations, changes in
real estate and zoning laws, increases in real property tax rates, a
deterioration in general economic conditions in the United States or the
Chicago metropolitan area and adverse developments or other changes in
the Chicago real estate market.
NOTICE OF CONFERENCE CALL
Parkway will conduct its regularly scheduled quarterly earnings
conference call on Tuesday, May 2, 2006, at 12:00 p.m. ET, at which time
it will discuss this purchase. The number for the conference call is
(800) 289-0518. A taped replay of the call can be accessed 24 hours a
day through May 12, 2006 by dialing (888) 203-1112, and using the pass
code of 7863415. Additionally, an audio replay will be archived and
indexed on Parkway's website. Please participate in the visual portion
of the conference call by accessing the Company's website at
http://www.pky.com and clicking on the "1QCall" icon. By clicking on
topics in the left margin, you can follow visual representations of the
presentation.
NOTICE OF 111 EAST WACKER BUILDING TOUR
Parkway will conduct a building tour and information exchange for
analysts and investors. The exact date will be set forth in a press
release issued upon closing of the purchase. Please contact Will Flatt
at (800) 748-1667 for more information.
Supplemental Tables
Table 1: Parkway's GEAR UP Operating Strategy
G Great People. Jay Buckley, who has been with Parkway for six years,
will move to Chicago to manage our team immediately upon purchase of
One Illinois Center. Jay will continue to represent Parkway through the
New East Side Association ("NESA"), which is designed to promote
cooperation among the office, hotel, residential and other stakeholders
in the New East Side. Will Flatt served as a past
president of the NESA before moving to Jackson to assume the
responsibilities of Chief Financial Officer.
E Equity Opportunities. We intend to raise substantial private equity
which has continued to show interest in our asset base. This
institutional capital tends to have a lower cost of capital today than
other forms of equity.
A Asset Recycling. We will purchase One Illinois Center on our
balance sheet with the intent to combine with 233 North Michigan and
joint
venture with an institutional partner. These two assets represent a
significant investment opportunity for an institutional partner.
R Retain our customers. Parkway's reputation of providing great
customer service at 233 North Michigan Avenue should help to increase
occupancy and retain customers at One Illinois Center. Since purchasing
233 North Michigan Avenue in 2001, our customer retention and occupancy
at the building have outperformed the market.
U Uncompromising Focus on Operations. By bringing our passion for an
uncompromising focus on operations to this building, we expect to
achieve operating efficiencies. It is our stated goal to evolve from an
owner-operator to an operator-owner. We believe One Illinois
Center, combined with 233 North Michigan Avenue, will help achieve that
goal.
P Performance. This purchase will contribute to FFO and FAD and help
us achieve our stated performance goal in GEAR UP of $7.18 Adjusted
Funds Available for Distribution per share over the three years of the
Plan.
Table 2: Benefits to Shareholders
* This purchase is accretive to FFO and FAD in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
* The property has a stable, long-term income stream from strong
credit
tenants.
* One Illinois Center is a high quality, physically attractive, well
located asset, designed and built by an internationally recognized
architectural/engineering team.
* The Chicago CBD is recovering and we believe undervalued relative
to
major metro areas on the East and West coasts.
* This property purchase will expand our presence in institutionally
accepted markets.
* The purchase price represents a significant discount to replacement
cost.
* This property will be attractive to joint venture partners,
especially
when combined with 233 North Michigan Avenue.
Table 3: Major Customers
Tenants Square Footage Lease Expiration
Health Care Services Corporation
(Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois) 202,000 3/31/17
Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago 132,000 7/31/11
Shefsky & Froelich 68,000 5/31/15
GolinHarris Communications, Inc. 66,000 7/13/12
Service Employees International Union 34,000 12/31/16
Digitas, Inc. 33,000 7/31/13
National Council of Nursing 29,000 1/13/13
Bagby & Company 23,000 6/30/15
Total 587,000
Percentage of Building 58.5%
Table 4: Allocation of Portfolio (Post Closing)
Percent of Total Percent of Total
Market Square Footage Rental Revenue
Houston, TX 17 % 16 %
Chicago, IL 16 % 24 %
Atlanta, GA 10 % 11 %
Memphis, TN 8 % 7 %
Phoenix, AZ 7 % 8 %
Columbia, SC 6 % 5 %
Jackson, MS 6 % 5 %
Orlando, FL 5 % 5 %
Knoxville, TN 4 % 3 %
Charlotte, NC 4 % 3 %
Richmond, VA 4 % 3 %
Other 13 % 10 %
100 % 100 %
* Houston, Chicago, Atlanta and Phoenix will comprise 59% of
annualized
rental revenue post closing.
Table 5: ARGUS Underwriting Assumptions for IRR Calculations
* $13.50 Net Rent Office
$40 Gross Rent on East Mall Retail
$70 Gross Rent on Main Mall Retail
* Six Months Estimated Downtime Upon Lease Expiration
* 3% General Vacancy Loss
* 75% Customer Retention Ratio
* 11 year Estimated Holding Period with 8% Residual Cap Rate on Sale
* 3% Assumed Inflation on Other Income and Expense
* Debt at $148.5 Million, 30-Year Fixed Rate at 6.27%, interest only
for
five years
Table 6: Assumptions for IRR Calculations held in Joint Venture
* Parkway to retain a 25% ownership interest.
* Parkway to receive a promoted return above a 10% leveraged internal
rate
of return to the limited partner.
* Parkway to receive market-based management fees of 3%, leasing fees
and
construction management fees.

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