Summary of Transaction Headlines

Mingtiandi | “Scape Australia Revamps Student Housing Vehicle to Create $3.8 Billion Open-ended Fund”

Australia’s biggest owner-operator of student housing, Scape, has converted its flagship purpose-built student accommodation vehicle into a A$6 Billion ($3.8 Billion USD) open-ended core fund with a 16,000-bed portfolio across 33 operational assets. As part of the conversion, the fund has acquired a A$1.9 Billion ($1.18 Billion USD) portfolio of eight assets on the back of a fresh A$1 Billion ($0.6 Billion USD) equity commitment from current investors APG, Bouwinvest, National Pension Service of Korea, and Ivanhoe Cambridge, plus newcomer UBS Asset Management.

IPE Real Assets | “Brookfield Invests $1.6 Billion in Japan Real Estate”

Brookfield has invested $1.6 Billion in Japanese real estate, acquiring a stake in the Gajoen mixed-use complex in Central Tokyo and a logistics development project in Greater Nagoya. The asset manager said its Japanese team will manage the dual office tower, retail, and luxury hotel Gajoen complex in Meguro, with plans for renovation and active asset management.

IPE Real Assets | “NBIM Acquires Stake in Grosvenor’s £1.2 Billion ($1.4 Billion USD) Mayfair Mixed-use Portfolio”

Grosvenor’s UK property business announces that it has entered a joint venture with Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM). NBIM has acquired a 25% stake in a mixed-use portfolio of predominately office and retail assets, clustered around Grosvenor Street and Mount Street, in London’s Mayfair. The £1.2 Billion ($1.4 Billion USD) portfolio consists of 175 market rent and long-leasehold buildings, which Grosvenor will continue to act as asset, property, and development manager for.

IREI | “Matter Real Estate has Raised $180 Million for U.K. Single Family Rental Firm, Placefirst”

Matter Real Estate, a residential investment management specialist, has raised £145 Million ($180 Million USD) for Placefirst, a U.K. single-family rental platform. Matter’s core and opportunistic strategies from investors such as UBS, GCM Grosvenor, and abrdn have fueled the fundraising. The funds will develop and operate more than 6,500 units.

IPE Real Assets | “Raj Agrawal is KKR’s New Head of Real Assets”

Raj Agrawal has been named Global Head of Real Assets, which includes the firm’s real estate, infrastructure, and energy businesses. Prior to that, he was Global Head of KKR’s Infrastructure Business. Guy Metcalfe has been appointed Senior Advisor for Global Real Estate. Metcalfe previously served as MD at Morgan Stanley and led its real estate investment banking business for over two decades before retiring as Global Chairman in 2024.

IREI | “Clarion Partners Europe Appoints Harald Evers as Head of Asset Management”

Clarion Partners Europe has appointed Harald Evers as Head of Asset Management, effective immediately. He brings more than 25 years of Pan-European real estate experience, the past 10 focused on the logistics sector, and will play a key role in driving real estate performance across Clarion Partners Europe’s fast-growing Pan-European portfolio.

IREI | “Cityview Hires Christoph Donner as Global Head of Capital Development and Strategy”

Cityview has hired Christoph Donner, the firm’s new Principal and Global Head of Capital Development and Strategy. Based in New York City, Donner will pursue new global strategic opportunities, build and maintain relationships with investors and partners, lead the firm’s fund development and capital strategy, and oversee the launch and growth of a new East Coast office for the firm.

BE News | “British Land Appoints Chief Operating Officer”

British Land has appointed Emma Cariaga as Chief Operating Officer, succeeding David Walker, who became the group’s Chief Financial Officer in 2024. Cariaga was previously joint Head of Canada Water, a 50:50 joint venture between British Land and AustralianSuper. In her new position, Cariaga will manage British Land’s property management, sustainability, digital placemaking, marketing and communications, and commercial finance functions.

IREI | “CIM Group Names Melannie Pyzik as Head of APAC”

CIM Group has continued the expansion of its institutional client group with the appointment of Melannie Pyzik as Managing Director to oversee business development and investor relations in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. Pyzik will be based in Sydney. “CIM Group has seen growing engagement in the APAC region, collaborating with institutional investors who find our investment platform, which includes alternative assets such as real estate, infrastructure, and credit, closely aligned with their strategic focus.

IREI | “Canadian Public Sector Pension Appoints New CIO and CEO”

Canada’s Public Sector Pension (PSP) Investment Board has announced a new CIO of PSP Investments and a new President and CEO of Canada Growth Fund Investment Management (CGFIM). These changes will take place on Feb. 3. Patrick Charbonneau is appointed to the role of CIO at PSP Investments.

PR Newswire | “Passco Companies Names Colin Gillis as Chief Investment Officer”

Passco Companies, a nationally recognized real estate investment firm specializing in Class A multifamily properties, is pleased to announce the promotion of Colin Gillis to Chief Investment Officer (CIO). With a decade of service at Passco, Gillis has been instrumental in leading the company’s acquisitions strategy, growing the portfolio to over $3.9 Billion in Assets Under Management (AUM). 

Commercial Observer | “L+M Names Joe Curatolo as CFO”

L+M Development Partners has made changes to its Executive Leadership team by naming Joe Curatolo as Chief Financial Officer and Nikki Wernick as President of Property Management. Curatolo takes over the CFO post after serving as a Managing Director with L+M since 2021, the affordable housing developer announced. He replaces Lenny Rueben, who retired last year after a two-decade stint at L+M.

IREI | “Amherst Appoints Chris Avallone as CFO”

The Amherst Group has announced that Chris Avallone has been appointed CFO. This appointment will be effective May 1, 2025, following current CFO Dallas Lucas’s planned retirement. Lucas will transition to an advisory role as Vice Chairman within Amherst. Avallone has been with Amherst for nearly seven years, during which he has built and grown the company’s investment capabilities, capital market functions, and institutional investor relationships.