TPG Real Estate Partners acquires Germany's Studio Babelsberg

TPG Real Estate Partners (TREP) has acquired Germany's renowned Studio Babelsberg, which recently hosted The Matrix: Resurrections.

The real estate platform previously announced on 16 September it had agreed to acquire a stake in Studio Babelsberg via the acquisition of the company’s main shareholder, Filmbetriebe Berlin Brandenburg GmbH (FBB).

FBB launched a public tender offer to acquire a majority of the shares in Studio Babelsberg for a cash offer of €4.10 per Studio Babelsberg share. The offer, which was subject to a minimum acceptance threshold, was fulfilled in October 2021 following a successful acceptance period.

Studio Babelsberg joins part of TREP’s global studio platform, CinespaceStudios which is the second-largest sound stage operator in North America. With the addition of the German studio, Cinespace will now operate 90 stages. But Studio Babelsberg will continue to operate as an independent brand whilst benefiting from the resources and networks provided by the global platform. 

The renowned studio has hosted the recent production of the German series Dark, Babylon Berlin, and 1899, as well as international feature films, Inglourious Basterds, V For Vendetta, Bridge Of Spies, and most recently The Matrix: Resurrections.

Studio Babelsberg’s CEO Dr. Carl L. Woebcken and COO Christoph Fisser will maintain a minority stake in the business.

“Across the globe, Studio Babelsberg is known for its quality and as a symbol of Berlin’s and Brandenburg’s creative culture,” said Michael Abel, a partner at TREP. “With Studio Babelsberg, we saw an opportunity to invest behind a leading studio facility that is well positioned to benefit from secular growth trends in media and content consumption. We support the company’s strategy and direction and look forward to growing the business.”

Dr Woebcken and Fisser added: “The team values our rich history and brings significant insight and business building capabilities to Studio Babelsberg’s next chapter. We look forward to working together to further solidify our position as Europe’s premier studio.”