Cushman & Wakefield Residential has been instructed as strategic real estate partner for
Realkapital Partners’ new CEE Residential Fund launchingat MIPIM, Cannes March 11-14.
This is
Realkapital Partners’ third opportunistic fund after two successful earlier launches.
Realkapital is launching the CEE Residential Fund in response to strong demand
driving an overhaul of existing housing stock across the Central and Eastern European region,
and is looking to raise €200 million, with a first closing in April 2008. The fund will
primarily invest in major cities and growth centres in Russia, Poland, Slovakia and Romania,
but will look for projects across the region on an opportunistic basis. These regions have been
identified because of increasing consumer wealth, the migration of people from rural to urban
areas and a significant amount of old residential stock needing to be replaced due to
dilapidation and size (more than 10 sq m below Western European standards).
Realkapital Partners will use Cushman & Wakefield Residential to source investments and
investors, advise on transactions and help promote the fund. Cushman & Wakefield
Residential will use its investment expertise and contacts with developers, which are accessed
through its extensive network of local offices across the whole of Central and Eastern
Europe.
The CEE Residential Fund is unique in that it places emphasis on development in order
that investors benefit from the development margins and are not entirely dependant on market
conditions. Realkapital Partners has pulled together an exemplary network of strategic
international partners and local development partners, as well as its own experienced fund
managers. Combined, the network of partners provides the expertise and experience in all
stages required to deliver a high return to investors.
Tore Borthen, Managing Partner of Realkapital Partners, says: “We are very
enthusiastic about offering this unique investment opportunity to both institutional and
private investors. I am fascinated by the possibility we have to help a new generation of
Europeans get a better home. We strongly believe that combining the unique research and market
knowledge of Cushman & Wakefield Residential with the quality work of our local development
partners will allow us to deliver high quality homes with a profitable margin. We see this fund
as an opportunity for investors to benefit from high returns with moderate risk.’’
Andrew Williams, Managing Director of Cushman & Wakefield Residential says:
“We are very excited to be working with Realkapital Partners on promoting their CEE
Residential Fund. Our industry-leading network of wholly-owned offices across the Central and
Eastern European region, as well as our expertise in residential opportunity and
investment-sourcing, means we are perfectly placed to advise Realkapital Partners and help make
this fund a success.’’