Fast Retailing’s Tadashi Yanai has added another prime European asset to his growing real estate holdings with the acquisition of a historic Milan commercial building for over €300 million.
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The Cordusio 2.0 property, which serves as Uniqlo‘s Italian flagship location, represents Yanai’s latest strategic move into high-value retail real estate across Europe’s major shopping districts. The transaction with seller Hines delivered a 3.5% yield on the 15,700-square-meter asset.
Yanai’s appetite for European commercial properties has accelerated significantly, with three major acquisitions in key markets over recent months. His investment strategy appears focused on securing long-term control of strategic locations where his Uniqlo brand maintains flagship operations.
The Milan building’s transformation from a largely empty 19th-century structure into a mixed-use commercial destination exemplifies the kind of repositioning opportunities attracting global capital. When Hines originally purchased the property in 2016 for German pension fund Bayerische Versorgungkammer, the building required comprehensive renovation to unlock its potential.
Beyond housing Uniqlo’s three-floor Italian debut store, the revitalized property now accommodates premium office tenants including Bain & Company’s regional operations center. The ground-level retail mix features established brands like Champion alongside innovative concepts that blend dining and fashion retail.
The acquisition pattern suggests Yanai is building a portfolio of trophy assets in Europe’s most competitive retail corridors. His previous purchases include properties in Amsterdam’s shopping district and London’s Covent Garden area, both similarly anchored by Uniqlo locations.
For institutional sellers like Hines, the appeal lies in partnering with buyers who understand retail real estate fundamentals while offering premium pricing for assets in prime locations. The transaction was facilitated by JLL’s advisory services.
The deal reflects broader trends in European commercial real estate, where strategic buyers with operational expertise in retail are increasingly competing with traditional institutional investors for the most desirable assets.
Source: Monitor Immobiliare