Canadian investor forms venture to acquire shopping centers

CPP Investment Board and RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust formed a joint venture to acquire regional shopping centers in Canada, said John Cappelletti, manager, communications and stakeholder relations to the CPP board, which handles all equity investments for the C$73.2 billion (US$58.1 billion) Canada Pension Plan, Ottawa. The board and RioCan will acquire the shopping centers as core, long-term holdings on a 50/50 basis, and RioCan will provide asset management services. Separately, CPP Investment Board and Osmington Inc. purchased White Oaks Mall, a regional shopping center in London, Ontario, for C$183 million. The purchase was part of an additional C$250 million commitment to an income-property real estate portfolio co-owned with Osmington, bringing the CPP's total commitment to C$450 million. CPP's real estate target allocation is up to 10% of the portfolio.