American Campus Communities, Inc. (ACC), the largest developer, owner and manager of high-quality student housing communities in the United States, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement under which Blackstone Core+ perpetual capital vehicles, primarily comprised of Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust, Inc. (BREIT), alongside Blackstone Property Partners (BPP), will acquire all outstanding shares of common stock of ACC for $65.47 per fully diluted share in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $12.8 billion, including the assumption of debt.
The purchase price represents a premium of 22 percent to the 90-calendar day volume-weighted average share price ending April 18, 2022, a premium of 30 percent over the closing stock price of February 16, 2022, the date immediately prior to the Company disclosing receipt of an indication of willingness to offer to acquire the Company, and a 14 percent premium to yesterday’s closing price.
ACC’s portfolio comprises 166 owned properties in 71 leading university markets including Arizona State University, The University of Texas at Austin, Florida State University, and the University of California – Berkeley, among many others. The majority of ACC’s properties are high-quality, purpose-built student housing assets located within walking distance of their respective university campuses, with approximately 24 percent of ACC’s communities located on campus.
“Through our IPO, eighteen years ago, we began our pioneering quest to transform the student housing sector into a mainstream, institutional asset class within the commercial real estate sector,” said Bill Bayless, American Campus Communities Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer. “We have certainly accomplished that mission and are proud and excited to have our best-in-class company join Blackstone, the world’s largest alternative asset manager. This announcement represents the culmination of the passion and dedicated service of the ACC team to our student residents and university partners, while creating significant value for our shareholders.”
Bayless continued, “This transaction delivers compelling, immediate, and certain value to our shareholders while positioning ACC to further expand our competitive advantage as we continue in our quest to lead the student housing industry to new heights. Blackstone’s expertise, resources and consistent access to capital will allow us to rapidly leverage our platform and core competencies to entrepreneurially grow our core business and to pursue additional innovative opportunities. Moving forward together, the combined synergies of our organizations will enable us to better serve our current and future residents and university partners.”
Jacob Werner, Co-Head of Americas Acquisitions for Blackstone Real Estate, said, “American Campus Communities has a best-in-class portfolio and platform, built on longstanding relationships with some of the most distinguished and fastest growing universities in the country. Our perpetual capital will enable ACC to invest in its existing assets and create much-needed new housing in university markets. We’re excited to work with the ACC team to deliver communities where students love living.”
The transaction has been unanimously approved by ACC’s Board of Directors and the independent Special Committee of ACC’s Board and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2022, subject to approval by ACC’s shareholders and other customary closing conditions.
As a condition to the transaction, ACC has agreed to suspend payment of its quarterly dividend, effective immediately.
As a result of today’s announcement, ACC does not expect to host a conference call and webcast to discuss its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2022.
