Regions West | Los Angeles
Robert Maguire Floats Plan to Take Firm Private
April 28, 2008
By: Dees Stribling, Contributing Correspondent

Robert Maguire III, chairman & CEO of Maguire Properties Inc., has proposed a plan to privatize the REIT. The proposal represents the latest chapter in the company's efforts to resolve its debt problems, which is being spearheaded by a special committee of independent directors.

As recently as last month, as reported by CPN, the committee let it be known that it hadn't received any desirable bids for the company, and that it wasn't pursuing a buyer. The committee cited adverse market conditions inspired by the credit crunch as the main reason for discontinuing its search.

The newly proposed plan calls for the disposition of substantially all of the company's non-Orange County assets, which would pay for a special cash distribution to shareholders. The offer totals about $18.18 per share from the sale of the non-Orange County assets, plus about $2.82 per share from Robert Maguire.

If realized, the plan would see Robert Maguire owning about 75 percent of the company, while current shareholders would retain a "stub" interest in the company. The plan would require approval by two-thirds of the company's outstanding stockholders. As yet, the committee has not responded to Robert Maguire's plan, nor have representatives of the Maguire Properties responded to inquires from CPN.

Maguire took on high levels of debt with its acquisition about a year ago when it bought a 24-building Orange County and Los Angeles County portfolio from the Blackstone Group L.P. for about $3 billion. Late last year, major stockholder JMB Capital Partners suggested the sort of review committee that Maguire's board ultimately formed, to explore ways of dealing with the company's debt.

 


 
Recent Los Angeles Headlines
New Studio to Be Built Near Hollywood
The United States' largest independent movie studio, a $125 million facility, is slated to break ground in April, 2009, with a projected 18-month construction period, Commonwealth Studios has announced.
Pair of SoCal Hotels Trade for $80M
R.D. Olson Development has sold two hotels in Southern California to Apple REIT 8 for a combined $80 million.
NorthMarq Arranges $49M Mortgage for Point Niguel
Michael Elmore of NorthMarq Capital, Inc.’s Los Angeles Regional office, arranged first mortgage financing of $49 million for Point Niguel, a 324-unit multi-family complex, located in Laguna Niguel, Calif.
William Morris HQ $188M Financing Deal Paves Way for New William Morris HQ in Beverly Hills
A joint venture involving New York City-based George Comfort & Sons Inc. and Morgan Stanley Real Estate's Prime Property Fund, have secured $188 million in refinancing for an existing office structure and construction funding for the development of a new office and retail building in Beverly Hills.
Meruelo Maddux Battles Financial Woes
Ahead of releasing its first quarter 2008 financial results after the market closes tomorrow, Downtown Los Angeles landlord Meruelo Maddux Properties Inc. has been taking steps to battle debt woes and a depressed stock price.