Editor’s Note
This article details a major transaction in the data center sector, where a consortium including BlackRock’s GIP is acquiring Aligned Data Centers in a deal valuing the company at $40 billion. The announcement highlights GEM Realty Capital’s exit from its equity investment as part of this acquisition.
CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–GEM Realty Capital (“GEM”) is pleased to announce its equity investment in Aligned Data Centers will be purchased as part of the acquisition by a consortium led by Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership (“AIP”), MGX Fund Management Limited (“MGX”), and BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners (“GIP”) (collectively, the “Consortium”). The transaction values Aligned at $40 billion.
GEM invested in Aligned in January 2025 through its GEM Realty Tactical Opportunities (GRTO) strategy, which targets non-controlling, illiquid stakes in real estate industry aggregators and disruptors. GRTO focuses on sectors benefiting from structural tailwinds and secular growth trends, including digital infrastructure. The investment in Aligned reflects GRTO’s ability to capitalize on opportunities where real estate fundamentals intersect with mission-critical technology.
GEM believes in the transformative impact of growing technological innovations and the convergence of real estate and digital infrastructure. The strategy emphasizes investments in data centers and fiber networks, combining strong real estate fundamentals with essential technology applications in an effort to deliver durable cash flows and long-term growth.
Aligned’s robust development pipeline and demonstrated execution capabilities were key factors in GEM’s decision to invest. This investment underscores GEM’s commitment to identifying transformative opportunities in sectors benefiting from long-term secular growth trends.