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RISMA Secures 450M MAD Deal for Casablanca Sofitel, Eyes Strategic Portfolio Upgrade
Moroccan real estate investor RISMA has entered a conditional sales agreement to divest its Sofitel Casablanca Tour Blanche property to tourism operator Pickalbatros for 450 million MAD. The transaction is projected to yield a one-time after-tax gain of approximately 160 million MAD in 2026. Beyond the immediate capital injection, the move aligns with RISMA’s broader strategy to optimize its hospitality portfolio, retaining its Novotel and Ibis properties while planning a premium repositioning of its Novotel City Center asset and scouting for prime locations to develop a new luxury hotel.
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Strategic Asset Divestment Unveiled
In a calculated move to refine its hospitality holdings, RISMA has officially signed a preliminary sales agreement for its Sofitel Casablanca Tour Blanche hotel. The transaction, executed with Morocco and Egypt-based hospitality group Pickalbatros, values the historic district property at 450 million Moroccan Dirhams. Subject to standard closing conditions, the deal underscores a deliberate shift in RISMA’s asset management approach.
Financial Upside & Tax-Optimized Gains
The divestment is expected to deliver a substantial boost to RISMA’s bottom line. Management anticipates recording a non-recurring profit of roughly 160 million MAD, net of corporate income tax, within its consolidated 2026 financial statements. Furthermore, removing the operational revenues and expenses associated with the sold property will streamline recurring metrics, positioning the company for improved profitability in the medium term.
Portfolio Optimization & Future Expansion
RISMA’s divestment strategy does not signal an exit from Casablanca’s core market. The company will maintain a strong footprint in the historic center through its Novotel Casablanca City Center (281 rooms) and Ibis Casablanca City Center (266 rooms) properties. Looking ahead, RISMA has outlined plans to invest in upgrading the Novotel asset to a higher-tier classification. Simultaneously, an active acquisition pipeline is underway to secure a prime land parcel for the development of a bespoke luxury hotel.
- Buyer: Pickalbatros Group
- Transaction Value: 450 Million MAD
- Expected 2026 Non-Recurring Profit: ~160 Million MAD (net of tax)
- Strategic Focus: Asset rotation, premium upscaling, and new luxury development