2008: the acquisition in Romania and the transformation into a SIIQ
In March 2008, IGD takes advantage of an important foreign investment opportunity and for €192 million acquires the company Winmarkt Magazine SA, which controls a real estate portfolio of 15 shopping centers in 14 different cities in Romania – a market with attractive consumer trends and interesting potential returns.
Winmarkt is the only major retail chain in Romania: a channel which could become strategic for international operators interested in the emerging Romanian market. The fact that none of the Winmarkt’s shopping centers are located in the capital makes the chain that much more attractive as real estate valuations in Bucharest are in line with the largest European metropolitan areas while the other cities still offer opportunities with high returns.
As of April 2008 IGD, the first reality in the Italian real estate sector, elects to exercise the option to be treated as a SIIQ – Società di Investimento Immobiliare Quotate (real estate investment trust).




