The John Buck Company (JBC) announced today that Mubadala Development Company PJSC (Mubadala), a leading business development and investment company headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, has acquired, through one of its affiliates, a 24.9 percent interest in the privately held, Chicago-based real estate company.
The investment follows the establishment in March 2008 of John Buck International, an Abu Dhabi-based joint venture formed by the two firms. John Buck International is responsible for the development of Sowwah Island and Sowwah Square, the core of the Central Business District in the capital city of Abu Dhabi.
Wholly-owned by the Government of Abu Dhabi, Mubadala has a multi-billion-dollar investment portfolio with commercial initiatives that cross many industry sectors. Through its investment and development activities, Mubadala is helping to create a diverse economy in the Emirate.
The JBC acquisition is part of Mubadala’s expanding real estate and hospitality portfolio, which includes a 17% interest in Aldar Properties, Abu Dhabi’s largest real estate development company; stakes in New York-based Related Companies; the Kor Hotel Group, a privately held hotel management company; and Capitala, an Abu Dhabi-based joint venture with Southeast Asia’s largest real estate group, CapitaLand.
Earlier this year, Mubadala also announced a multi-faceted relationship with GE, the international technology, media and financial services company and an increased stake in microprocessor designer and manufacturer, Advanced Micro Devices.
“We’re delighted that Mubadala has taken an equity stake in The John Buck Company,” said John Buck, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The John Buck Company. “We’re looking forward to the enhanced opportunity to strengthen ties with this innovative, world-class investor, and we also see increased potential for cooperation on new projects together.”
“This investment provides us with access to the U.S. real estate market in multiple product types and it complements the existing joint venture we have together,” said Waleed Al Mokarrab Al Muhairi, Chief Operating Officer of Mubadala. “The John Buck Company has an outstanding track record as an integrated real estate services company. Our investment will allow us to co-invest with them in future opportunities and supports our objective of achieving world-class returns through partnerships with industry-leading companies.”
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