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Dubai World to invest US$2.7 billion in City Centre in Las Vegas
posted on 23/08/2007
 Las Vegas - Dubai World and MGM MIRAGE (NYSE: MGM) today announced that they have signed definitive agreements to form a long-term strategic relationship whereby Dubai World will invest approximately US$5 billion in MGM MIRAGE consisting of a US$2.7 billion investment in CityCenter and up to US$2.4 billion in purchases of MGM MIRAGE common stock. The companies will enter into a 50/50 joint venture in the landmark City Centre development in Las Vegas and Dubai World will acquire a significant minority equity position in MGM MIRAGE.
The joint venture, CityCenter Holdings LLC, will be owned equally by MGM MIRAGE and Infinity World Development Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dubai World. Upon closing, CityCenter Holdings LLC will own 100 percent of CityCenter, a mixed-use luxury residential, resort and retail complex currently being developed by MGM MIRAGE on the Las Vegas Strip.
In addition to investing in the joint venture, Dubai World through Infinity World Investments, will purchase up to 28.4 million shares of MGM MIRAGE representing approximately a 9.5 percent equity stake. Dubai World will seek to accomplish this through a combination of a public tender offer for 14.2 million shares of the outstanding stock at a price of US$84 per share, which represents an approximately 13% premium over yesterday's closing price, and an agreement to subsequently purchase an additional 14.2 million shares directly from the Company at the same price, for a combined investment of approximately US$2.4 billion.
The companies anticipate that the joint venture investment will close by the end of the year, and that the tender offer will commence during the week of August 27, 2007. The parties anticipate that the purchase of shares from MGM MIRAGE will close concurrently with or soon after the closing of the tender offer subject to requisite approvals.
In connection with the joint venture, Dubai World will initially contribute approximately US$2.7 billion for 50 percent of the equity in CityCenter.MGM MIRAGE will contribute the CityCenter assets which the parties have mutually valued at US$5.4 billion, and receive 50 percent of the equity in CityCenter. Following the close of the joint venture transaction, MGM
MIRAGE will receive a cash distribution of US$2.7 billion. By completing CityCenter on budget and on schedule, MGM MIRAGE will receive additional consideration of US$100 million. The joint venture will obtain project specific financing to fund remaining project costs.
MGM MIRAGE will continue to serve as developer of CityCenter and upon completion, the joint venture will pay MGM MIRAGE a management fee to operate CityCenter's resort as well as the development's retail activities and the Vdara condo-hotel tower. Sultan Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai World said, "The announcement today brings together two companies known for creating landmark developments that have the ability to change the face of luxury living and destination tourism. In seeking international expansion, we chose a partner who would complement our strengths in large-scale development as well as share our view of investing for the long-term. We were attracted by MGM MIRAGE's superior assets, locations, and brands. Terry Lanni and his management team have a proven ability to create extraordinary customer experiences that generate demand and earn customer loyalty.
"Our vision is to create a global portfolio of signature properties that will create value for generations to come. The unprecedented CityCenter will redefine the luxury lifestyle and incorporate world-class elements of fine art and design, fulfilling our goal of creating landmark developments while further expanding into the important U.S. real estate market. We look forward to making this project an international success and sharing in other opportunities for expansion with MGM MIRAGE," continued Sultan Bin Sulayem.
Terry Lanni, Chairman and CEO of MGM MIRAGE, said: "This is a transforming event for MGM MIRAGE and Las Vegas. This partnership with Dubai World brings us a relationship with an internationally-respected developer of large-scale luxury properties that attract an international clientele.
Dubai World's proficiency in real estate, combined with our company's operational expertise, strong brands and world-renowned resorts, creates competitive advantages that we believe will benefit all of our stakeholders. We are extremely pleased to be working with Dubai World. We have a tremendous amount of respect for Sultan Bin Sulayem and all that his company has accomplished.
"This transaction is immediately accretive to long term earnings and will have a profound impact on our balance sheet. Dubai World is making a significant investment in our company that will greatly increase our growth and earnings. We welcome Dubai World's long term commitment to our company through the joint venture and these share purchases," Mr. Lanni continued.
Targeted for completion in late 2009, CityCenter is a luxury urban metropolis defined by its dazzling vertical architecture rising from the Las Vegas Strip. CityCenter's design team includes many of the world's foremost architects such as Daniel Liebeskind, Lord Norman Foster, and Rafael Vitoly.
The self-contained city-within-a-city will include: " A dramatic Cesar Pelli-designed 4,000-room resort " Approximately 470,000 square-feet of retail and entertainment space, " 2,650 luxury condominiums and condo-hotel units in multiple towers, and " Two 400-room boutique hotels, one of which will be managed by luxury hotelier Mandarin Oriental. (Emirates News Agency, WAM)
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