Colonial Acquires Deeplabs for €200m and Partners with Stoneshield in Science and Innovation Venture
Deal News | Apr 25, 2025 | Finance Community ES 2 - Corporate M&A
Colonial has formed a joint venture with Stoneshield Capital to create a pan-European real estate platform focusing on Science and Innovation. Concurrently, Colonial has completed the acquisition of Deeplabs for €200 million, a strategic move to strengthen its positioning in this burgeoning segment. Deeplabs, founded in 2020, has 138,000 square meters across three campuses in Barcelona and Madrid, making it a leading player in the Spanish Life Sciences sector with a well-diversified and high-quality tenant base. The acquisition accelerates Colonial's growth on a European scale, offering immediate positive impact on EPS with attractive yields of 7% to 8% and a net IRR potential of 15%. Through this new platform, Colonial aims to exceed €2.4 billion in assets under management, increasing its EPS and NTA contribution while consolidating its commitment to Science and Innovation as a lever for sustainable growth. Citigroup Global Markets Europe served as financial advisor to Colonial, while Cushman & Wakefield provided real estate advisory services. UBS Investment Bank advised Stoneshield Capital.
Sectors
- Real Estate
- Science and Innovation
- Life Sciences
Geography
- Spain – Deeplabs' campuses are located in Barcelona and Madrid, and Colonial is a major player in the Spanish real estate market.
- Europe – The joint venture aims to establish a pan-European platform, highlighting the broader geographic focus.
Industry
- Real Estate – The article discusses Colonial's expansion in the real estate sector, focusing on Science and Innovation properties.
- Science and Innovation – The focus on creating a platform around Science and Innovation facilities highlights this industry sector's relevance.
- Life Sciences – Deeplabs operates within the Life Sciences sector, providing specialized working spaces for this industry.
Financials
- €200 million – The acquisition price for Deeplabs by Colonial.
- €400 million – The consolidated value of Deeplabs' portfolio.
- 7% to 8% – Estimated yield on the acquired assets.
- 15% – Potential net IRR for the investment.
- €2.4 billion – Targeted asset value under management for the new platform with third-party capital.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colonial | Acquirer, Joint Venture Partner | Company | A leading real estate company focusing on office space and commercial properties. |
| Deeplabs | Target Company | Company | A company specializing in Science and Innovation campuses, headquartered in Spain. |
| Stoneshield Capital | Joint Venture Partner | Company | An investment firm engaging in the real estate sector. |
| Citigroup Global Markets Europe | Financial Advisor | Company | Advised Colonial on the acquisition of Deeplabs. |
| Cushman & Wakefield | Real Estate Advisor | Company | Provided real estate advisory services to Colonial. |
| UBS Investment Bank | Financial Advisor | Company | Advised Stoneshield Capital. |