Operator News
US – Wynn Resorts selling real estate of Encore Boston Harbor
By Phil - 17 February 2022
Wynn Resorts has entered into a definitive agreement to sell all of the land and real estate assets of Encore Boston Harbor to Realty Income for $1.7bn in cash, representing a 5.9 per cent cap rate. Wynn Resorts will continue to operate the property at the five-star standard for which the company is renowned.
Simultaneous with the closing of the transaction, Wynn will enter into a triple-net lease agreement for Encore Boston Harbor with Realty Income. The lease will have an initial total annual rent of $100m and an initial term of 30 years, with one thirty-year tenant renewal option. Rent under the lease will escalate at 1.75 per cent for the first ten years of the lease and the greater of 1.75 per cent and the CPI increase during the prior year (capped at 2.50%) over the remainder of the lease term.
Wynn will retain its 13-acre developable land assemblage on the east side of Broadway in Everett, MA, on a portion of which, the Company plans to construct an expansion that is expected to include additional covered parking along with other non-gaming amenities. The company has secured an option to sell the related land and real estate assets of such expansion to Realty Income for up to $20m of additional rent, at a specified cap rate, for up to six years following the closing of the transaction.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including required regulatory approvals, and is expected to be completed during the fourth quarter of 2022.
“Encore Boston Harbor is the premier gaming resort on the East Coast and the valuation we achieved in this sale reflects the property’s quality,” said Craig Billings, CEO of Wynn Resorts. “Equally important, the bespoke structure and terms of the lease allow us to maintain a great deal of operating flexibility across economic cycles. The proceeds of the transaction also provide us with liquidity for several of our upcoming development projects and the potential to retire other debt.”
Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Latham & Watkins LLP acted as legal advisors to Wynn Resorts in connection with the transaction.
