KLPEF Klepierre SA (PK)

Simon Property Group Inc. (SPG) said Thursday it will buy a 28.7% equity stake in Paris-based real estate company Klepierre (LI.FR) from BNP Paribas (BNP.FR) for around $2.0 billion (EUR1.5 billion) and it will also buy 26 assets of The Mills Limited Partnership for $1.5 billion from its joint venture partner Farallon Capital Management.

Simon Property said in a statement it plans to buy 54.43 million shares in Klepierre at EUR28.00 a unit and has no current plans to acquire additional shares in the company, which focuses on the ownership, management, and development of shopping centers, retail properties and offices across Continental Europe.

The deal is expected to close next week. SPG said it will receive payment of Klepierre's dividend to be declared in April.

It also said the transaction value for The Mills deal includes repayment of The Mills' senior loan facility and mezzanine loan, and the retirement of preferred stock.