Description: This year has seen the most money in seven years dedicated to private real estate funds targeting Europe.
The private real estate sector has experienced near-record levels of fundraising for European funds in 2014 so far, according to Preqin.
The research firm reported that €21 billion ($26 billion) has been invested in real estate funds focused on Europe, which is the highest level of fundraising since 2007. Such funds now have a record €52 billion of cash ready to deploy, up 44% since December 2013.
During a period in which Europe’s economy is stuttering and the European Central Bank is battling to restore inflation, appetite for the continent’s real estate has exploded. Preqin reported that 44% of all capital raised globally for private real estate funds was for Europe-focused products, compared with just 17% in 2013.