Partners Group, one of the largest firms in the global private markets industry, has agreed to acquire Empira Group, a major real estate investment platform.
The acquisition is anticipated to close in H1 2025, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Financial details were not disclosed.
Lahcen Knapp, chairman of the board of directors at Empira, commented: ‘This is a pivotal milestone in Empira AG’s success story. Together with Partners Group, we are creating a platform dedicated to delivering innovative products and solutions for our global investors.
‘Our continued commitment to sustainable investments and innovation complements Partners Group’s strategy of creating long-term value in the real estate sector.’
Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Switzerland, Empira is a vertically integrated real estate investment manager focused on the residential sector, with a portfolio with a gross development value of around €14 bn.
Empira’s investment strategies include European residential; US residential; transition-to-green, which involves creating value through sustainability initiatives; and real estate credit.
Within its real estate credit segment, Empira offers a range of financing solutions, including senior and junior loans, whole-loan and mezzanine financing, preferred equity, and joint venture opportunities. It has over 250 employees across 13 global offices.
Following the acquisition, Empira will continue to operate under its existing brand as part of Partners Group, with the ambition to become a pan-European platform. Themes including new living and decarbonisation and sustainability are seen as common goals for the firms.
These trends have focused Partners Group around the high-conviction strategies of lifestyle residential, urban living, affordable housing, and transition-to-green, all of which are operationally intensive themes requiring hands-on management.
Karim Habra, global co-head real estate, 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.
‘We are delighted to welcome Lahcen Knapp and the wider Empira team to Partners Group.’
Partners Group’s acquisition of Empira follows earlier strategic investments in Trinity Investments, a US-based hospitality-focused real estate investor, in April 2024, and Citivale, a UK-based logistics real estate developer and asset manager, in February 2024.
Partners Group’s real estate business has a global portfolio with a total gross asset value of $43 bn (€41 bn) and $15.9 bn in assets under management.
