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Westfield shopping centres bought in $25bn deal Westfield shopping centres bought in $25bn deal
(35 minutes later)
The owner of Westfield shopping centres is being bought for $24.7bn in a deal which will see the malls launched in new markets. The owner of Westfield shopping centres is being bought for $24.7bn (£18.5bn) in a deal which will see the malls launched in new markets.
French property group Unibail-Rodamco is offering $7.55 a share for the Australian business.French property group Unibail-Rodamco is offering $7.55 a share for the Australian business.
Westfield Corporation has 35 shopping centres in the UK and the US while Unibail-Rodamco has 71 sites in Europe.Westfield Corporation has 35 shopping centres in the UK and the US while Unibail-Rodamco has 71 sites in Europe.
Unibail-Rodamco said the takeover would result in a "progressive roll-out of the world famous Westfield brand".Unibail-Rodamco said the takeover would result in a "progressive roll-out of the world famous Westfield brand".
The takeover is the second major deal involving shopping centre owners to emerge in just over a week.The takeover is the second major deal involving shopping centre owners to emerge in just over a week.
On 6 December, Hammerson, which owns the Bullring in Birmingham, announced a £3.4bn bid for Intu, whose properties include the Arndale shopping centre in Manchester.On 6 December, Hammerson, which owns the Bullring in Birmingham, announced a £3.4bn bid for Intu, whose properties include the Arndale shopping centre in Manchester.
In a joint statement, Unibail and Westfield said they will make €100m (£88.2m) in savings a year. In a joint statement, Unibail and Westfield said they would make €100m (£88.2m) in savings a year.
Christophe Cuvillier, chief executive of Unibail-Rodamco, said the acquisition of Westfield "adds a number of new attractive retail markets in London and the wealthiest catchment areas in the United States".Christophe Cuvillier, chief executive of Unibail-Rodamco, said the acquisition of Westfield "adds a number of new attractive retail markets in London and the wealthiest catchment areas in the United States".
Sir Frank Lowy, the billionaire property tycoon who co-founded Westfield in the 1950s, will retire as chairman of Westfield. His sons Peter and Steven will also step down as co-chief executives of the business.Sir Frank Lowy, the billionaire property tycoon who co-founded Westfield in the 1950s, will retire as chairman of Westfield. His sons Peter and Steven will also step down as co-chief executives of the business.
However, following completion of the deal, Peter Lowy will be appointed to the combined group's supervisory board and Sir Frank will chair a newly created advisory board.However, following completion of the deal, Peter Lowy will be appointed to the combined group's supervisory board and Sir Frank will chair a newly created advisory board.
They also said: "The Lowy family is committed to the success of the Group and intends to maintain a substantial investment in the group."They also said: "The Lowy family is committed to the success of the Group and intends to maintain a substantial investment in the group."
Sir Frank is one of the richest people in Australia with a fortune of $5.9bn, according to Forbes magazine and was knighted by the Queen last week.Sir Frank is one of the richest people in Australia with a fortune of $5.9bn, according to Forbes magazine and was knighted by the Queen last week.
Sir Frank originates from Eastern Europe and survived the Holocaust in Hungary. He moved to Australia in 1952.Sir Frank originates from Eastern Europe and survived the Holocaust in Hungary. He moved to Australia in 1952.