Blackstone launches IPO for data center REIT
๐ Blackstone Digital Infrastructure Trust has filed an IPO with the SEC to establish a public platform for acquiring data centers.
๐ฐ The entity plans to issue over 87 million shares at $20 each, aiming to raise approximately $1.75 billion in capital.
๐๏ธ The raised funds are intended to finance acquisitions of new construction data centers valued between $250 million and $1.5 billion.
๐จโ๐ผ Nick Pall is set to lead the offering, having previously served as president and CIO at Link Logistics.
๐ Investors purchasing shares will receive an additional 1% in shares equivalent to their total purchase amount.
๐ The company projects annualized returns ranging from 5.75% to 7% for shareholders.
๐ค Shares will begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "BXDC".
๐ค A Blackstone affiliate has expressed interest in purchasing up to $200 million of the new REIT shares.
๐ Previously, Blackstone partnered with Saudi Arabia's Humain for a $3 billion data center project in the Gulf region.
๐ข Blackstone acquired QTS Realty Trust in 2021 and now manages more than 75 data center properties online or under development.
๐ธ The firm secured $1.65 billion in bond financing last August to support its ongoing development efforts across the country.
๐ This IPO follows a recent registration with the SEC after Blackstone began seeking early investments from sovereign wealth funds.
- Blackstone Digital Infrastructure Trust filed an IPO with the SEC, seeking to raise approximately $1.75 billion by issuing over 87 million shares at $20 each.
- The entity is specifically geared toward funding acquisitions of new construction data centers valued between $250 million and $1.5 billion for hyperscalers.
- Investors in the IPO will receive a bonus of additional shares equivalent to 1% of their total purchase, rounded down to a whole share.
- The company projects attractive returns between 5.75% and 7% for shareholders.
- A Blackstone affiliate has expressed strong commitment by planning to purchase up to $200 million of the new shares upon listing.
- Blackstone recently secured a significant partnership with Humain, Saudi Arabia's state-backed AI company, on a $3 billion data center project across the Gulf nation.
- The firm successfully doubled its valuation of its data center arm (QTS Realty Trust) since acquiring it for $10 billion in 2021.
- As of August, the portfolio includes more than 75 properties online or under development, demonstrating robust pipeline growth.
- The data center division secured $1.65 billion in financing through recent bond sales to fund developments across the country.
- The company is projecting returns between 5.75 percent and 7 percent, which may be competitive with other infrastructure investments depending on prevailing interest rates.
- An affiliate of Blackstone intends to purchase up to $200 million in shares, indicating significant insider participation but potentially limiting public float availability.
- The company did not respond to requests for comment regarding the filing details or strategic rationale behind the new REIT structure.