Wanda Hotels value surges after selling real estate division

Following the sale of a 60-percent stake in its London-based Wanda International Real Estate, the value of Dalian Wanda Group’s hotel development arm jumped to $55 million. Wanda Hotel Development is selling off its shares to an unidentified independent third party for $49 million. 

The buyer reportedly agreed to pay down $220-million worth of debt owed by Wanda International. The developer’s controlling shareholder, Wanda Commercial Properties Hong Kong, also sold the remaining 40-percent stake in the One Nine Elms hotel project in South West London. Wanda acquired the project from the UK’s Green Property in 2013.

At the same time, Dalian Wanda is reportedly close to reaching an agreement to sell two Australian luxury property projects to a Chinese buyer. 

A deal for Sydney’s One Circular Quay development (with a Wanda Vista hotel) and the $900-million Jewel hotel and residential development on Australia’s Gold Coast could be announced in the coming days. Wanda declined to comment on the rumors.

The hotel developer’s parent company has recently been eyeing opportunities to divest in holdings and projects. Dalian Wanda began looking for a buyer to purchase five projects in the UK, the U.S. and Australia in November 2017, hoping to bundle them in a $5-billion deal. 

Wanda’s other projects up for sale are Vista Tower in Chicago opening in 2020 through a JV with Magellan Development Group and the $1.2-billion condominium and hotel complex One Beverly Hills in California.

The group’s divestment plans follow the Chinese government’s crackdown on overseas investments made by Chinese companies, which started last year. Beijing aims “to promote healthy growth of overseas investment and prevent risks” through a new set of investment guidelines released by China’s State Council. The real estate, hotel, entertainment and sport club sectors—along with outdated industries and projects in countries lacking diplomatic relations with China—are restricted from these investments.