Greystar Europe Investment Management has announced the final close of Greystar Equity Partners Europe I (GEPE I) at €1.55 bn.
GEPE I is a discretionary close-ended, pan-European value-add fund focused on rental residential real estate. The fund received equity commitments from a diverse group of global institutional investors, including both existing and new relationships to Greystar.
Mark Allnutt, senior managing director - Europe, Greystar, said: 'Over the last seven years we have grown to become one of the largest vertically integrated residential platforms in Europe with over €8 bn in assets under management and more than 750 team members.
'GEPE I gives us significant discretionary capital to continue this journey of expansion in order to provide a new standard of accommodation and service to the European rental market.'
The fund held its first close in May 2021, surpassed its original equity target of €1 bn and was oversubscribed. GEPE I will focus on the acquisition and select development of purpose-designed rental apartments, student housing and young professional accommodation in Europe’s major cities.
The fund will capitalise on the significant opportunities created by urbanisation trends in major European cities, where a growing cohort of renters face both a significant undersupply of quality housing and a lack of professional management to suit their needs and lifestyle.
GEPE I has committed more than €770 mln in equity to date across closed and identified assets less than a year into its investment period, with an additional €220 mln in assets under exclusivity.
The resulting portfolio spans 22 assets in 6 countries and comprises more than 11,000 beds in total.
Select assets in the portfolio include a 682-bed purpose-built student accommodation complex in Utrecht, the Netherlands; the forward purchase of a 342-unit development near Dublin city centre, Ireland; and 3,500 beds of purpose-built student accommodation across the UK.
Wes Fuller, executive managing director –global investment, Greystar, said: 'GEPE I follows the formula of Greystar’s long history of value-add strategies in the US. We are pleased to welcome existing and new capital partners from across Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America to the fund and are excited at the opportunity to grow our portfolio with their support.
'The total capital raised not only reflects the institutional demand for European rental residential real estate, but also the strong track record and reputation Greystar has built in delivering great outcomes for our investors.'
