/ 2 December 2011

Kerzner loses ownership of Bahama resorts

Sol Kerzner's Kerzner International Holdings has handed over ownership of two of its Bahama properties as part of a debt restructuring deal.

Kerzner International Holdings handed ownership of two of its Bahama properties to Brookfield Asset Management as part of a debt restructuring deal, Business Day reported on Friday.

According to the report, Kerzner’s $175-million — about R1.4-billion — debt owed to Brookfield would be wiped clean for ownership of the Bahamas-based Atlantis and the Bahamas One&Only Ocean Club. The deal included a 50% interest in the One&Only Palmilla in Mexico.

The newspaper reported Kerzner has been struggling with debt since the 2008 financial crisis.

The properties taken over by Brookfield were valued at around $2.6-billion — about R20.9-billion — in debt. Kerzner was working with Brookfield to extend the dates when the remaining debt was due.

Kerzner would still run the properties. The company’s chief executive Sol Kerzner was quoted as saying the deal would allow “us to get back to doing what we do best — designing and managing world-class destination and luxury resorts under the Atlantis and One&Only brands”. — Sapa