Merlin Closes $1.9B Tussauds Buy

NEW YORK CITY-Merlin Entertainments Group, a company controlled by the locally based Blackstone Group, has closed on its $1.9 billion acquisition of the Tussauds Group. The transaction creates the second largest attraction operator in the world, outsized only by Disney.

Seller Dubai International Capital LLC kept a 20% stake in the company.

Now that the transaction has closed, Merlin will operate its more than 50 attractions and four hotels through a new divisional structure that includes resort theme parks and the midway attractions. Chief executive Nick Varney will oversee both sectors. Under the new order, Gardaland, Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Heide Park and Chessington World of Adventures will all be a part of the resort theme parks; while Madame Tussauds, Sea Life, London Eye, Dungeons, Warwick Castle, Legoland Discovery Centre, Earth Explorer; and Legoland Parks will be part of the midway attractions.