United Hampshire US REIT Announces Strategic Acquisition of Wallingford Fair Shopping Center in Connecticut
Singapore, 15 January 2026 — United Hampshire US Real Estate Investment Trust (UHREIT), managed by United Hampshire US REIT Management Pte. Ltd., has completed the acquisition of Wallingford Fair Shopping Center in Wallingford, Connecticut, marking its first entry into the state. This move significantly expands UHREIT’s portfolio to 23 properties across nine states along the U.S. Eastern seaboard.
Key Highlights of the Acquisition
- Completion Date: 14 January 2026 (U.S. time)
- Aggregate Purchase Consideration: US\$21.4 million, reflecting an 8.2% discount to the independent valuation of US\$23.3 million by CBRE Valuation & Advisory Services.
- Estimated Total Acquisition Cost: US\$22.1 million, including acquisition fee (US\$0.2 million) and professional fees (US\$0.5 million).
- Funding: Combination of internal funds (including proceeds from Albany Supermarket divestment) and external borrowings. Future equity issuances may be considered for refinancing.
- Land Tenure: Freehold
- Year Built: 1998
- Net Lettable Area (NLA): 115,223 sq ft
- Occupancy: 100%
- Number of Tenants: 3
- Weighted Average Lease Expiry (WALE): 12.8 years as of 30 September 2025
Strategic Rationale and Benefits for UHREIT Unitholders
- Enhanced Distribution per Unit (DPU): The acquisition, combined with the Albany Divestment and Dover Marketplace acquisition, is projected to increase FY2024 pro forma DPU by 2.0% — from 4.03 US cents to 4.11 US cents, based on the illustrative scenario provided.
- Strengthened Portfolio in Necessity-Based Retail: The property is anchored by ShopRite, a leading supermarket cooperative with stable operations since 2010, and complemented by Petco and Wallingford Fair Self-Storage (operated by Extra Space Storage Inc., an S&P 500 company).
- Superior Tenant Profiles:
- ShopRite: Major anchor with stores in six states, operated under Wakefern Food Corporation.
- Petco: Leading pet care retailer, listed on Nasdaq, with over 1,500 locations and US\$6 billion revenue in FY2024.
- Wallingford Fair Self-Storage: Facility operated by Extra Space Storage Inc., a top self-storage operator in the U.S.
- Long-Term Income Visibility: The property’s 100% occupancy and long WALE (12.8 years) provide strong income stability.
Financial Impact and Considerations
- Net Property Income: Pro forma net property income rises from US\$49.42 million (after Albany and Dover transactions) to US\$50.98 million after this acquisition.
- NAV per Unit: Remains stable at US\$0.75 post-acquisition.
- Aggregate Leverage: Increases from 38.9% to 40.1% post-acquisition, remaining within regulatory and industry norms.
- Shareholder Approval: Classified as a “discloseable transaction” under SGX Listing Manual (Rule 1010), not requiring Unitholder approval.
Other Material Information for Shareholders
- Price Sensitivity: The acquisition is at a notable discount to independent valuation, potentially accretive to DPU and supportive of future share price.
- Portfolio Optimization: The transaction is part of UHREIT’s ongoing capital recycling and optimization strategy, using proceeds from previous divestments to fund new high-quality acquisitions.
- No Change in Board: No director appointments or changes are proposed in connection with this transaction.
- Directors’ and Controlling Unitholders’ Interests: No disclosed interests in this acquisition beyond existing unit holdings.
- Documents for Inspection: Purchase agreement and valuation report available at UHREIT’s registered office for three months post-announcement.
Potential Share Price Impact
This acquisition could be price sensitive for UHREIT’s units due to:
- The accretive effect on DPU, supporting higher distributions to unitholders.
- The attractive purchase price relative to independent valuation, suggesting potential for capital appreciation.
- Enhanced portfolio diversification and stability through entry into Connecticut and securing long-term leases with strong tenant profiles.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell securities. The information presented is based on publicly available sources and company disclosures at the time of writing. Actual future performance, financial results, and share price movements may differ materially from projections or expectations stated herein. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult with qualified financial advisers before making investment decisions. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.
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