Sun Life Gains Full Ownership of BGO, Crescent Capital; Acquiring Bell Partners

Sun Life announced a series of multi-billion-dollar commercial real estate moves Monday that will impact businesses and properties on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border. Toronto-based Sun Life announced Monday it has acquired 100% ownership of BGO for $1.59 billion (US$1.16 billion) and Crescent Capital Group for $829M (US $608 million.) BGO is a Miami-based company with Canadian roots. This deal also involves a management-equity plan and stock repurchase. 

In addition, Sun Life has agreed to acquire Bell Partners, a leading U.S. multifamily real estate manager with 70,000 apartments across the U.S., for US$350 million. 

Consequently, BGO and Bell Partners have agreed to merge and will represent more than US$100 billion of properties under management. Upon closing, Bell Partners will continue to operate as a distinct, vertically integrated business under BGO. 

“This partnership reflects our strong conviction in the U.S. multifamily market and underscores our commitment to building deep expertise in sectors where we believe there is significant long-term opportunity,” said Amy Price, co-president, BGO. “Bell Partners has built an exceptional platform with a proven 50-year track record in multifamily that complements our firm’s culture and expertise in U.S. commercial and logistics sectors, supported by our global resources.”