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Canary Wharf ... new financial district.

Madison backs Qatari bid for Canary Wharf owner Songbird

LONDON, December 9, 2014

Songbird Estates shareholder Madison International Realty plans to accept Qatar Investment Authority's (QIA) offer for the British property company, the sovereign wealth fund behind the hostile move said.

The offer of 350 pence per share for the owner of London's Canary Wharf financial district was launched to Songbird shareholders by QIA and US investor Brookfield Property Partners last week.

Songbird Estates is the majority owner of London's Canary Wharf estate, a cluster of high rise offices established some 25 years ago on former docks as a new financial district.

The company is also a part owner of the landmark "Walkie Talkie" skyscraper in the City, London's traditional business area.

The hostile move followed Songbird's rejection of an initial £2.2 billion ($3.43 billion) approach, saying it did not reflect the full value of the company or its growth potential. Songbird has yet to formally reject the improved terms.

In a statement on Monday QIA said that Madison had written a letter to Songbird saying it intended to accept the offer before its closing date.

Madison holds a total of 18,627,054 Songbird shares, representing approximately 12 per cent of Songbird's shares in free float and 2.5 per cent of Songbird's issued ordinary share capital.

Taken together with backing from fellow shareholder Third Avenue Management, QIA has so far received public support from holders of about 28 per cent of Songbird's free float, it said.

Shares in Songbird were up 0.6 per cent in early deals on Monday, outperforming a 0.4 per cent lower FTSE All Share index.-Reuters




Tags: property | UK | Canary Wharf |

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