The Carlyle Group Makes First Real Estate Investment in Finland

Helsinki, Finland – The Carlyle Group, the global private equity firm, today announces a major investment in the Finnish property market with the acquisition of four buildings in Helsinki from the Pension Fund of Finnish Broadcasting Company, YLE.

Carlyle Europe Real Estate Partners has acquired a portfolio of three properties located 3‐5 km to the North of Helsinki CBD and one property in the tech suburb of Espoo, 17 km to the West. The total lettable space of the portfolio is approximately 35,800 m², consisting mainly of office space as well as showrooms and storage. The assets are Kumpulantie 5, Kumpulanhovi, Arabian Yritystalo and Merivirta in Espoo.

Thomas Lindstrom, Managing Director, The Carlyle Group, comments: "This is Carlyle’s first investment in Finland. The Finnish real estate market has a promising future reflecting the strong growth in the Finnish economy and we are excited to be a part of it. We anticipate delivering refurbishment improvements and an increased rate occupancy of these buildings, which benefit from high quality locations."

Carlyle is investing in this project through its second European real estate fund, Carlyle Europe Real Estate Partners II, a €760 million fund. Carlyle Europe Real Estate Partners (CEREP), the European real estate team of The Carlyle Group, was established in 2001.

The Carlyle Group was advised by law firm Borenius & Kemppinen, tax and financial advisors Ernst & Young, technical advisors Pöyry and property advisors Jones Lang LaSalle.