Hibernia REIT plc (“Hibernia” or the “Company”) announces that it has exercised its option to take direct ownership of Hardwicke House and Montague House, Dublin 2, for a net payment of €41.8m (excluding costs). Hibernia initially acquired an interest in the buildings via secured loans for €18.2m in May 2014, with an option to take full ownership at any time up to mid-2016: the exercise of the option brings the total consideration paid to €60m excluding costs (c. €64m including costs, equivalent to €725 per sq ft ).