Deals

A statement issued by the listed Italian firm says talks are underway with German retailer Arcandor over the acquisition of a property portfolio, though no agreement has been reached on terms yet.

The fund management arm of listed British property services firm Colliers CRE is beefing up its senior executive team in advance of a number of fund launches next year.

The Paris-based bank has reached the half way point in raising a equity for income producing buildings, investments in forward-funded schemes and opportunistic deals.

The private equity firms have paid an undisclosed amount for a minority stake in Global Leisure Partners, an advisor and co-investor on private equity deals in the gaming, lodging and leisure industries.

The US-based independent placement agent is eschewing orthodox moves into Hong Kong or Singapore in the hope of stealing a march on its competitors.

Russell Investments’ annual survey has found investors plan to increase allocations to real estate over the next two years, but have the highest return expectations for private equity among alternative asset classes.

The Dutch firm has launched a second fund with a target of $400m.

The private equity real estate division of Blackstone has yet to reach a final close, but its commitments to date mean the New York alternatives giant now controls the largest funds in both private equity and private equity real estate.

The Goodman Group has become an even bigger force in Europe with the bolt-on of a pan-European industrial fund.

The world’s largest privately owned real estate services firm has hired Nigel Pedroz from HSBC bank to focus specifically on indirect real estate advisory work.