Artis Real Estate Investment Trust announces monthly cash distribution

WINNIPEG , Dec. 8 /CNW/ - Artis Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX: AX.UN) ("Artis" or the "REIT") announced that its trustees have declared its regular monthly cash distribution of $0.09 per trust unit ("Unit") of Artis for the month of December, 2009. The cash distributions will be made on January 15, 2010 to Unitholders of record on December 31, 2009 .

As at the date hereof, there are an aggregate of 37,430,882 Units issued and outstanding.

Artis is a real estate investment trust focused exclusively on commercial properties located in primary and growing secondary markets in western Canada . The REIT's goal is to provide unitholders the opportunity to invest in high quality western Canadian office, retail and industrial properties, as well as to provide monthly cash distributions that are stable, tax efficient, and growing over time.

Artis' commercial property comprises approximately 6.7 million square feet of leasable area in 96 properties. Leasable area is approximately 40% in Manitoba, 7% in Saskatchewan, 48% in Alberta, and 5% in B.C.; by asset class the portfolio is 30% retail, 34% office and 36% industrial.

The REIT's Distribution Reinvestment Plan ("DRIP") allows unitholders to have their monthly cash distributions used to purchase trust units without incurring commission or brokerage fees, and receive bonus units equal to 4% of their monthly cash distributions. More information can be obtained at www.artisreit.com.

    
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For further information: Mr. Armin Martens, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Jim Green, Chief Financial Officer or Ms. Kirsty Stevens, Senior VP - Investor Relations, [phone]