OREANDA-NEWS. KKR, a leading global investment firm, today announced the purchase of the Radisson Blu Astrid Hotel and the Park Inn Hotel in Antwerp, Belgium, in a joint venture with Algonquin, one of Europe's leading independent hotel groups.

Antwerp is a key tourist destination, with a diverse range of cultural attractions and leisure facilities. The city also has a large corporate market, with the second largest sea port in Europe, the second largest petrochemical cluster globally and the largest diamond trading hub in the world. In addition, the city is a growing destination for conferences and fairs, and is due to grow further with the planned opening of a conference centre in 2017.

Radisson Blu is a four-star hotel with 247 rooms, while Park Inn is a three-star boutique with 59 rooms. Both are situated on Astrid square, opposite Antwerp's international Central Station.

Since launching a dedicated real estate platform in 2011, KKR has committed over \$2 billion to 50 real estate transactions in the U.S., Europe and Asia as of Q1 2015. The real estate team consists of over 30 dedicated investment professionals.

Guillaume Cassou, head of European Real Estate at KKR, commented: "Antwerp's status as a business hub and a leisure destination makes these hotels attractive investments. As the city continues to develop its infrastructure, including with a new conference centre, we believe demand for the hotel market will continue to grow. This acquisition represents an exciting first step in KKR's partnership with Algonquin, and both groups are looking forward to doing more together across Europe."

Jean-Philippe Chomette, Founder and CEO of Algonquin, commented: "This double acquisition marks the beginning of what we hope to be a long and successful partnership with KKR".

Schepen Koen Kennis, Vice Mayor of Antwerp, added: "This investment demonstrates the confidence of a leading global investor and a first class hotel operator in Antwerp's potential as a centre for business and tourism. The hotel industry is getting ready for the added MICE tourism that the new Flanders Meeting & Convention Centre will bring to Antwerp."

KKR and Algonquin were advised by Gide and Nautaduthil on the legal front, while VOKA- Kamer van Koophandel Antwerpen-Waasland and Hugo Ceusters Real Estate lent support in the due diligence of the investment.