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 in 1992 when newly incorporated CLS Holdings Limited acquired all the issued share capital of Central London Securities Limited 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.
2000
CLS acquired 100% of Citadel Holdings plc taking ownership of 23 French properties.
2005
CLS started to invest in Germany.
2006
The Solna Business Park in Sweden was sold after successful re-development.
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.
2014
Completion of the mixed-use Spring Mews development in Vauxhall.
CLS holdings was included in the FTSE 250 index (Ended December 2023)
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.
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.
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.
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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