Artis Announces $50 Million Equity Offering

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwire - Dec. 10, 2012) -

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

Artis Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX:AX.UN) ("Artis" or the "REIT") announced today that it has entered into an agreement to sell to a syndicate of underwriters led by RBC Capital Markets, CIBC and Canaccord Genuity Corp. (the "Underwriters"), on a bought deal basis, 3,200,000 trust units ("Units") at a price of $15.70 per Unit for gross proceeds to Artis of $50,240,000 (the "Financing"). Artis has also granted the Underwriters an option, exercisable at any time up to 48 hours prior to the closing of the Financing, to purchase a further 480,000 units at the issue price which, if fully exercised, would result in additional gross proceeds of $7,536,000.

The Financing is being made pursuant to the REIT's base shelf prospectus dated June 15, 2012. The terms of the offering will be described in a prospectus supplement to be filed with Canadian securities regulators. The Financing is expected to close on or about December 19, 2012 and is subject to regulatory approval.

Artis intends to use the net proceeds to fund future acquisitions, for debt repayment and for general trust purposes.

Artis continues to enjoy a strong deal flow pipeline, with a continued focus on the accretive acquisition of quality commercial properties, in select markets in Canada and the U.S.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities in any jurisdiction. The Units being offered have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and state securities laws. Accordingly, the Units may not be offered or sold to U.S. persons except pursuant to applicable exemptions from registration requirements.

Artis is a diversified Canadian real estate investment trust investing in office, industrial and retail properties. Since 2004, Artis has executed an aggressive but disciplined growth strategy, building a portfolio of commercial properties in Canada and the United States, with a major focus on Western Canada. Artis' commercial property comprises nearly 23.4 million square feet of leasable area in 220 properties. Leasable area by asset class is approximately 18.3% retail, 32.1% office and 49.6% industrial. The portfolio is located 7.9% in British Columbia, 25.7% in Alberta, 5.1% in Saskatchewan, 15.4% in Manitoba, 16.0% in Ontario and 29.9% in the U.S.