News & Analysis

Blackstone’s massive bet in the UK student housing sector was just one of the niche property deals recognized in this year’s awards for the region.

Despite growing competition, logistics continues to be a dominant theme in the region’s most-honored investment and fundraising activities.

Investors are increasingly interested in tailored secondary structures, says James Jacobs, head of real estate for Lazard’s private capital advisory group.

Hines has won two global awards for its trend-defining mandate with South Korea’s NPS, while Blackstone takes home several wins for executing 2020’s largest private real estate transaction.

Blackstone has swept the region’s awards, bagging six wins, including Firm of the Year, Industry Figure of the Year, Deal of the Year and Capital Raise of the Year.

The Chicago-based broker is poised to close on a deal to acquire the London-based capital advisory firm of Anthony Biddulph, Nick Ridgewell and Luca Giangolini.

The New York asset management giant’s latest Asia property fund attracted $1.175bn in equity commitments, beating its original $1bn fundraising target. The raise is the first in the series to beat its target since 2008.

Ares and AMP Ltd will form a JV covering AMP Capital’s private markets businesses, including real estate and infrastructure, with Ares assuming control.

Prashant Tewari, partner and member of the investment committee at the Cleveland-based firm, says prime office is a top priority despite sector uncertainty.