Blackstone raises $8.4bn

The global asset manager held a first close on its sixth European opportunistic real estate fund.

Blackstone has held a first close for Blackstone Real Estate Partners Europe VI at $8.4 billion, according to its second quarter earnings report. The fund has already surpassed the size of its predecessor, Blackstone Real Estate Partners Europe V, which closed at $7.86 billion in May 2017. In addition, the firm has also raised $2 billion for the Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust. Meanwhile, the firm has commenced the investment period for its $17.3 billion Blackstone Real Estate Partners IX, deploying $1.4 billion.

Investors in Blackstone Real Estate Partners Europe VI include the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, the New York State Common Retirement Fund, the South Dakota Investment Council and the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.

Blackstone manages over $545.5 billion of assets as of 30 June 2019.