Dallas-Based Landes Group Acquires 313 CVS Pharmacy Stores

Landes Investment Group, Inc. (the "Landes Group"), a privately held real estate investment and development company, announced today that it has acquired a total of 313 CVS pharmacy properties valued at $1.375 billion. The acquisition of the properties, located in 33 states, came via three separate deals in 2009, the last of which was completed in mid-December 2009.

"Last year was an extremely difficult time for many businesses, so we're pleased that we were able to acquire these properties at competitive rates in the midst of a challenging economy when so few transactions were being done," says Brett Landes, the company's founder and president. "The fact that we were able to have such a successful year speaks to the strength of our relationship with CVS, as well as our reputation and history."

The Landes Group purchased the properties from CVS as sale-and-leaseback transactions, by which the company buys land and buildings from CVS, then leases them back over a long term. The first round of transactions was completed in June 2009 for 122 properties valued at approximately $495 million; the second round closed in September 2009 for 25 properties valued at $137 million; and the third round was completed in December 2009 for 166 properties valued at $743 million.

The deals were closed through LLWG Capital, Inc., a related entity of which Landes is President. Barclays Capital, a global financial services provider, was the primary investment banker for the deals. Liechty & McGinnis, LLP served as advisor and legal counsel on the transactions.