Partners Group is acquiring Empira Group, a real estate manager overseeing a €14bn gross development value portfolio of residential properties across Europe and the US.
Founded in 2014 and based in Switzerland, Empira focuses on residential investments, sustainability-driven projects and real estate credit. In its credit segment, Empira provides financing solutions such as senior and junior loans, whole-loan and mezzanine financing, preferred equity and joint venture opportunities.
Global private markets firm Partners Group – which is investing an unspecified amount to acquire Empira — said the transaction will strengthen its role as a global real estate investor and help drive its growth plans as the real estate market evolves.
Once the deal is completed, Empira will continue to operate as a standalone brand under Partners Group, with a plan to become a pan-European platform.
Partners Group’s acquisition of Empira follows recent investments in US-based hospitality real estate investor Trinity Investments and UK logistics real estate developer and asset manager Citivale.
Partners Group has a global real estate portfolio with a total gross asset value of $43bn (€41bn) and $15.9bn in assets under management.
Karim Habra, global co-head real estate at Partners Group, said: “This strategic acquisition supports Partners Group’s long-term growth in real estate and brings Empira Group’s operational expertise to our established global investment platform at a pivotal moment for the real estate industry.
“The significant development and operator skills gained from this acquisition position Partners Group to lead in this evolving landscape, moving beyond traditional ownership strategies to embrace a new era of asset transformation and innovation.”
Lahcen Knapp, founder and chairman of Empira Group, said: “Empira Group’s investment focus and entrepreneurial spirit is strongly aligned with that of Partners Group. We believe the combination of our expertise and resources with Partners Group’s powerful private markets platform will enable us to better source, build, and manage residential real estate for a new era.
“Together, we will find innovative solutions to capitalise on the broad secular growth trends driving the asset class. This acquisition marks a new chapter in Empira’s history, at a time when the industry requires a renewed focus on operational depth.”
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