Columbia Property Trust Continues High-Barrier Market Strategy with New Disposition Targets and $200M Share Repurchase

Columbia Property Trust, Inc.

will be marketing for sale three assets totaling 2.9 million square feet located in Cleveland, Baltimore, and Newark and is under contract with Blackstone Property Partners for a joint venture at Market Square in Washington, D.C. The combined gross proceeds from the transactions, which are projected to close in late 2015 or early 2016, are expected to be approximately $900 million to $1 billion. In addition, Columbia`s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $200 million shares of Columbia`s common stock over the next two years. "Our focus is on generating long-term total shareholder returns with an emphasis on growing net asset value. We believe that the dramatic portfolio transformation we have accomplished since late 2011 has positioned us to better achieve those returns," stated Nelson Mills, president and chief executive officer of Columbia Property Trust. "With these planned transactions, we will further reduce our exposure to non-target markets and generate substantial proceeds that will allow us to continue building a strong presence in our key markets, repay short-term borrowings, and make additional investments that add value - by repurchasing our stock and/or by sourcing acquisitions in key markets." High-Barrier Market Strategy In late 2011, Columbia held properties in 33 markets, 20 of which had only one asset, with 45% of annualized lease revenue (ALR) from single tenant buildings and over 60% of ALR from suburban buildings. Today, the portfolio is comprised of 15 markets, with approximately 80% of ALR from multi-tenant properties and approximately 70% of ALR from CBD markets. The Company has also increased average net rents per square foot during that time period from $18.07 to $23.88. In addition, Columbia now has over 50% of ALR and approximately 60% of its asset value (as measured by gross real estate assets) represented in the high-barrier markets of San Francisco, New York, Washington, D.C. and Boston. This month, Columbia will begin marketing the 1.3 million-square-foot Key Center Tower and the 400-room Key Center Marriott in Cleveland, as well as the 653,000-square-foot 100 East Pratt in Baltimore and the 961,000-square-foot 80 Park Plaza in Newark. These sales are subject to market conditions and, if completed and assuming no additional investments, would further concentrate Columbia`s portfolio with approximately 80% of ALR in target markets. Market Square Joint Venture Columbia is also under contract, subject to customary closing conditions and adjustments, to sell a 49% interest in Market Square to Blackstone Property Partners, Blackstone`s Core+ real estate investment unit. The terms of the joint venture stipulate a gross value for the asset of $595 million and provide that Columbia will continue to make day-to-day decisions and manage the 686,000-square-foot trophy office property located at 701 and 801 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C. The transaction is expected to close by early fourth quarter of 2015. $200 Million Share Repurchase Authorization The Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program to buy up to $200 million of the Company`s common stock for a two-year period ending September 4, 2017. The shares may be purchased from time to time on the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, depending on market prices and other conditions. This stock repurchase program does not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of its common stock, and the program may be extended, modified, suspended or discontinued at any time at the Company`s discretion. 2015 Guidance The Company also announced that based on the expected timing of the three dispositions and the Market Square joint venture, it expects to be at the higher end of its previously issued 2015 guidance of Normalized FFO in a range of $1.85 to $1.91 per diluted share and Net Income Available to Common Stockholders in the range of $0.17 to $0.23 per diluted share.