Zoe Hughes

The Westport, Connecticut-based firm looks to the emerging markets and US distressed opportunities as it raises its second real estate vehicle, WCP II.

It would appear that a consensus is emerging among private equity real estate professionals over when the best opportunities are to be had this year.

Colony Capital founder and chairman Tom Barrack has lined up more than $1 billion in equity to start buying distressed debt and property companies as the firm searches for the bottom of the market.

The outlook for the US commercial real estate market is generally sound despite the credit crisis, according to a report by real estate management firm, ING Clarion. However ING warns the office sector will be hit over the next two years before recovering strongly in 2010-2011.

Eastern and Central European countries with programs encouraging public-private partnerships are more likely to obtain infrastructure investments than their Western European neighbours, a study finds.

Eastern and Central European countries with programmes encouraging public-private partnerships are more likely to obtain infrastructure investments than their Western European neighbours, a study finds.

The San Francisco-based Kimpton Group has closed its latest real estate fund saying its luxury brand will help secure its expansion over the next three years.

The former CEO of Credit Suisse asset management, David Blumer, will be replaced by Rob Sharif after taking up a new role as head of financial markets at Swiss Re.

The private equity firm said it had closed its ninth real estate fund and the largest fund ever raised as it promises to take advantage of the current market dislocation.

The private equity firm’s ninth real estate fund – the largest ever private equity real estate fund raised – will take advantage of current market dislocation.