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3 May 2016 – El Economista
The US investment firm KKR is finalising its fundraising ahead of the launch of its new fund, which will focus on the real estate sector in Europe. To date, it has already managed to raise USD 598 million (€525 million).
The usual size of KKR’s investment vehicles ranges between USD 500 million and €1,000 million (approximately €439 million and €878 million), a range that the directors of the US firm hope to reach. The new fund’s key investors include Maine Public Employees Retirement System, which has contributed USD 50 million (€44 million) to the firm’s new vehicle.
Just like the other international investment companies, KKR decided to gradually diversify its portfolio of investments. In fact, its specialisation in the real estate sector culminated in 2011, when the US company created a team dedicated especially to that business segment. In the last year, KKR has strengthened its teams in the USA and Europe focused on the real estate sector.
Opportunities in Europe
In the words of one of the directors of KKR, Scott Nuttal, “We are seeing plenty of opportunities to invest in the real estate segment in Europe”. In fact, currently, the US investment firm owns several assets in France, the UK and Spain.
Its first foray into the property sector in France was made in September 2013, when it acquired an office building in the Paris region of River Plaza. A year later, it bought four shopping centres from Corio for €104 million.
In the UK, the US group’s first operation was the purchase of the three- and four-star hotel chain Queens Moat in 2012. During 2013 and 2014, KKR acquired a package of shopping centres located in Oxford, Glasgow, Sunderland and Birmingham.
In Spain, KKR acquired two shopping centres in September 2014: the Nassica in Madrid and Vista Alegre in Zamora. Those assets were previously owned by British Land and KKR spend €90 million on their purchase.
In the rest of the world, the US investment firm controls several assets distributed all over the world. Specifically, in the USA, it owns eight assets (three shopping centres, one residential development, offices and a portfolio of assets relating to the health sector). Moreover, it owns the World Trade Centre in Melbourne (Australia) and the K Tuin towers in Seoul (South Korea).
Original story: El Economista (by Araceli Muñoz and Rubén Esteller)
Translation: Carmel Drake