The 10 most read real estate articles for the week ending Dec. 16.
North America Real Estate
TPG-sponsored acquisition company combining with Playa Hotels & Resorts
The combined company will be publicly traded and retain the Playa name.
Activist Land & Buildings targets Taubman family control level in new letter
In a letter to the company's audit committee, Land & Buildings' Jonathan Litt argued that the Taubman family's ownership of 25 million series B preferred shares is in violation of the company's charter and endangering the company's REIT status.
The Daily Dose: SL Green eyes One Vanderbilt swap; Stamford, Conn., portfolio sells for $400M
This edition also reports on a $130 million tower proposed in St. Louis, a major project planned in Los Angeles' Arts District and an $84.8 million sale in north Austin.
Host Hotels President and CEO W. Edward Walter stepping down, replacement named
W. Edward Walter will stay with the company through Jan. 31, 2017, to assist with the transition.
Blackstone, Centerbridge, Paulson unloading shares in Extended Stay, unit
The stockholders are selling 12.5 million paired shares of Extended Stay and ESH Hospitality.
Europe/Asia/emerging markets
Report: Blackstone hiring banks to aid in Logicor IPO
The private equity giant already picked Goldman Sachs and Eastdil Securities to aid in the process, although it has yet to appoint the global coordinators, Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
The Daily Dose Europe: German bank selling €3B portfolio; Blackstone hires banks for Logicor IPO
Today's edition also features the ongoing talks between Oaktree and Hines for a €230 million student digs portfolio, British Land and GIC's plans for Broadgate, and the €264.2 million sale of an office park in Luxembourg.
Investa Property CEO leaves board of IOF manager amid Cromwell takeover push
Jonathan Callaghan left the board of Investa Listed Funds Management Ltd. to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest.
Gazit-Globe gears up for first public offering in Canada
The company plans to file a preliminary prospectus supplement in Canada for its first public offering of up to C$90 million of convertible unsecured subordinated debentures.
The Daily Dose Europe: CBRE closes €753M retail fund; Cerberus preferred for €3B RE debt portfolio sale
Today's edition also features a Commerz Real fund's exit from Finland's real estate market, the strong November office take-up in Central London, and Israel-headquartered Gazit-Globe's first public offering in Canada.