Austrian investor Signa Holding has emerged as the preferred bidder for a portfolio of 12 assets sold by Bank Austria through a single-stage bidding process. Although the companies agreed not to disclose the financial details, the purchase price was said to be over EUR 100 mln, Austrian daily Die Presse reported.

The portfolio, owned by Hyperion Immobilienvermietung, comprises three properties in Vienna, including the landmark Stock-im-Eisen-Platz 3 building in the city centre, as well as properties in the Austrian cities of Salzburg, Bregenz, St. Pölten, Purkersdorf, Wiener Neustadt, Steyr, Maria Enzersdorf, Wörgl and Bludenz.

Signa has bought a number of properties in the past from Bank Austria, which has taken moves to significantly reduce its exposure to real estate over the past couple of years.

According to Die Presse, Bank Austria - which is part of Italian UniCredit - is also seeking a buyer for the Renngasse 2 premise, which accommodates its art museum, Bank Austria Kunstforum, in Vienna.