News & Analysis

David Blight, chairman and chief executive of ING's €72 billion property investment management business dropped a bombshell over the summer when he resigned in order to return to Australia with his family. After three and a half years in the job, he is leaving a legacy. In an interview with PERE, Blight explains why and how ING has witnessed a revolution, by at last creating a global opportunity platform. By Robin Marriott

MGPA, the London-based real estate investment firm, has closed its latest Asia real estate fund, MGPA Asia III, on $3.9bn, the largest dedicated Asian real estate vehicle ever raised. Combined with the firm's latest European vehicle, MGPA has secured $5.2bn in capital commitments during its latest fundraise. By Zoe Hughes

The fund, targeting real estate developments in Greater China, is the firm's second Asia-focused vehicle.

Shortly after the firm revealed that it is opening an office in Beijing, Blackstone is set to acquire a commercial property in Shanghai for $158m.

In the new world of private equity real estate investing, capital will be coming from everywhere and going everywhere, from increasingly sophisticated institutional investors spread around the globe. GPs should keep this in mind as they decide how to target Asia. By Dave Keating

The Whitehall Funds, managed by Goldman Sachs, has acquired a German residential company with an enterprise value of €3.4bn, in one of the last remaining deals of its kind in the country.

Ex-AIG hotels head Keith Lindsay has joined Central Eastern European developer and asset manager Orco to run its hospitality division.

The private equity real estate firm bought out by Morgan Stanley Real Estate last year has sold three office buildings in Denver’s upscale Cherry Creek neighborhood to KBS Realty Advisors and a joint venture involving ING Clarion.

The corporate debt and real estate specialist has acquired CIT Group’s troubled Home Lending business, Lone Star’s third mortgage-related deal since October.

Respondents to a recent survey also said sovereign funds’ long-term strategy makes them more appealing than other LPs.