Our CLS
History

Discover CLS’ proud heritage as a successful investor in commercial property.

CLS has a proud history – from the visionary ideas, hard work and determination of our founder, Sten Mörtstedt, to the innovative and sustainably-focused pan-European company we have become today.

Explore our timeline, highlighting the key events across our three-decade journey and evolution:

1992

The Mörtstedt family founded the company with assets in the UK, France, and Sweden, which included substantial holdings in the Vauxhall area. 

Sten Åke Mörtstedt 1940-2020.

1994

CLS Holdings plc was listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange.

1997

Citadel Holdings plc was listed on AIM in London with properties in Lyon, and CLS held a 12% stake and undertook its management.

Holding 5 properties in Lyon, and CLS held a 12% stake and undertook its management.

Modern corner building with large windows, located at the intersection of two streets. Several signs and parked motorcycles are visible in the foreground.

2000

CLS acquired 100% of Citadel Holdings plc taking ownership of 23 French properties.

Street sign reads "Bismarckstraße" with numbers "105-109," illuminated against a night sky.

2005

CLS started to invest in Germany.

2006

The Solna Business Park in Sweden was sold after successful re-development.

A solid black square with no visible features or variations.

2011

Listed a SEK 300 million Unsecured Retail Bond on the Swedish Stock Exchange.

2012

CLS issued its first listed Retail Bond on the London Stock Exchange ORB market.

2013

The NEO UK Regional portfolio was acquired for £120 million. 

A man walks past the Spring Mews building, which features modern brick architecture and a sign with directions and information. Several people can be seen near the entrance.

2014

Completion of the mixed-use Spring Mews development in Vauxhall.

CLS holdings was included in the FTSE 250 index (Ended December 2023)

Three circular flags on a gray background: United Kingdom on the left, Germany in the center, and France on the right.

2016

Exited Sweden after the sale of the last directly owned property and repayment of the Swedish Retail Bond. The strategic focus was placed on the UK, Germany and France.

A solid black square with no visible features or variations.

2017

A new dividend policy was introduced, and the shares in the company were subdivided.

The Metropolis Portfolio in Germany was acquired for €160 million, which increased our footprint in several major German cities. 

2018

Vauxhall Square was sold for £158 million after securing planning for a substantial mixed-use development.

2019

Active portfolio management was carried out with the sale of our shares in Catena and regional UK assets, while acquiring £260 million worth of new properties. 

EPRA logo with text: "European Public Real Estate Association" underneath a stylized blue geometric shape.

2020

A £154 million 'Green Loan' was completed, a first for CLS and its largest loan to date.

CLS was included in the European Public Real Estate Association ("EPRA") FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index Series.

2021

Published Sustainability Strategy 2020-2030 and Net Zero Carbon Pathway. 

A solid black square with no visible features or variations.

2022

The UK operations were converted into a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT).

2023

The Coade, Vauxhall Walk was completed. 

2024

Artesian, Prescot Street, London was completed.

Future redevelopment plans for Spring Gardens in Vauxhall were launched.

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