- Business
- Manulife US Real Estate Investment Trust (BTOU.SI) is a Singapore-listed real estate investment trust that invests in and manages a portfolio of income-producing office, retail, and industrial properties located in the United States. The trust's primary assets include Class A office properties in key gateway cities such as Los Angeles, California, and Bellevue, Washington; retail centers anchored by major national tenants; and industrial/logistics facilities in high-demand markets, generating stable rental income through long-term leases with creditworthy tenants. It offers unitholders exposure to premium US commercial real estate via monthly distributions, active asset management, and portfolio optimization strategies focused on value enhancement and capital recycling.
Established in 2016 and listed on the Singapore Exchange's Main Board, the trust is externally managed by Manulife US Real Estate Management Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation, with its principal place of business in Singapore. Operations span prime US markets on the West Coast and Sunbelt regions, targeting institutional investors seeking diversified, yield-oriented real estate investments outside Asia. The portfolio emphasizes sustainable properties with modern amenities, ESG-compliant practices, and repositioning initiatives to meet evolving tenant demands for flexible workspaces and experiential retail.
In recent developments, the trust completed the divestment of non-core assets, including the sale of its Harbor Place retail property in San Diego for US$51.5 million in early 2024, enabling capital recycling into higher-yield opportunities. It secured a significant lease renewal and expansion with a major tenant at its flagship office asset, Shorepoint Plaza in Bellevue, extending occupancy through 2033 and bolstering near-term income stability. Additionally, the trust announced enhancements to its asset management framework in 2024-2025, including proactive lease-up strategies amid market recovery and exploration of industrial sector expansions to capitalize on e-commerce-driven demand.