HSBC and Metrovacesa reach agreement on 8 Canada Square

HSBC and Metrovacesa have agreed that HSBC will secure the title of its global headquarters at 8 Canada Square in London, superseding the existing sale and leaseback agreement between the parties. As a result of this transaction, a gain of approximately £250 million will be recognised in HSBC's income statement for the second half of 2008.

On 31 May 2007, HSBC entered into a contract for the sale and leaseback of its headquarters building to Metrovacesa S.A. for £1.09 billion. Under the terms of this arrangement, HSBC leased the building back for 20 years at an initial annual rent of £43.5 million, representing a net initial yield of 3.8 per cent.

The purchase was funded by Metrovacesa via a cash equity injection of £280 million and a bridging loan of £810 million provided by HSBC, subject to syndication into a term facility.

As a result of the significant market disruption that has impacted the availability of term funding, syndication of the bridging loan has not been possible and the parties have come to an agreement that the building will be handed back to HSBC. The existing bridging loan will be extinguished as a result of this transaction.

The agreement will be effected through the acquisition of 100 per cent of Project Maple II BV, whose main asset is 8 Canada Square, by HSBC Property Holdings (Netherlands) BV, a wholly owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, from Metrovacesa for a total consideration of £838 million, subject to various retentions and warranties.

David Hodgkinson, Group Chief Operating Officer, HSBC Holdings plc, said: "Clearly the market has deteriorated significantly since we agreed the sale in spring 2007. It was important to work with our client, Metrovacesa, to resolve the funding issue which had arisen. 8 Canada Square is a landmark building and this transaction is in the best interests of both parties and HSBC shareholders."

source : HSBC