KKR aims for $2.5B with second Asia real estate fund

KKR aims for $2.5B with second Asia real estate fund
New York PE firm sees strong opportunities in Japan, Australia, and Southeast Asia.
OCT 31, 2023

KKR & Co. is raising a second Asia real estate fund, targeting $2 billion to $2.5 billion to spend across the region, according to people familiar with the matter. 

The new fund has amassed about $600 million since late 2022, and the US investment firm is seeking to finish fundraising by the end of 2024 to early 2025, said the people, who asked not to be identified as the matter is private.

Similar to KKR’s first Asia real estate fund, which closed in January 2021, the second will deploy an opportunistic strategy as it invests in property assets in markets including Japan, Australia and Southeast Asia, one of the people said. 

The final amount raised and the timeline of the fund’s closing may change depending on market conditions, the people said. 

A representative for KKR declined to comment.

KKR’s move comes at a difficult time for fundraising globally, as higher borrowing costs and economic uncertainty leave investors wary. There have been bright spots, however, such as private credit or real estate in certain Asia markets.

One of them is Japan, where low interest rates are attracting investors. Commercial property investment volume in the country jumped 52% in the first half of 2023 from a year earlier, while globally it fell 54%, according toJones Lang LaSalle.

Although real estate investment volume in Asia-Pacific has fallen this year, the drop is only about half of the decrease in the Americas and Europe, JLL said. Sectors like multi-family residences or hotels are also still attracting investors in the region.

Investors also might continue to put money into Asia-focused private capital funds as they seek diversification, according to a Preqin report. 

KKR raised $1.7 billion for its first Asia real estate fund, which closed in January 2021. Proceeds were used for investments in assets such as the Namsan Green Building in Seoul and the Hyatt Regency hotel in Tokyo. 

The New York-based private equity giant has been focused on business in Asia, in recent years raising $15 billion for a fourth Asia buyout fund, and its first credit and real estate funds for the region. Last year, KKR bought a Japanese real estate investment trust manager in a deal worth about ¥230 billion ($1.5 billion). 

Globally, KKR’s real estate team manages $64 billion in assets as of June 30. 

Latest News

US retirement system scores C+ as aging crisis reshapes global pension outlook
US retirement system scores C+ as aging crisis reshapes global pension outlook

Aging populations and underfunded systems are forcing wealth managers to rethink how they prepare clients for retirement.

401(k) plans now rival healthcare as workers' most valued benefit
401(k) plans now rival healthcare as workers' most valued benefit

A new Morgan Stanley survey signals a fundamental shift in how employees view retirement benefits - and raises the stakes for plan advisors.

California billionaire tax may shrink state revenue, Stanford finds
California billionaire tax may shrink state revenue, Stanford finds

Proposition 40 wealth tax could raise $30 billion, not $100 billion, as departures erode the base and voters remain split

Jump, Zocks double down on AI meeting leadership with new partnerships
Jump, Zocks double down on AI meeting leadership with new partnerships

Jump is piping FMG marketing content into post-meeting workflows as Zocks opens its platform to more than 32,000 LPL financial advisors

Independent contractor formerly associated with MML Investors Services pleads guilty to running Ponzi
Independent contractor formerly associated with MML Investors Services pleads guilty to running Ponzi

Trevor Uhls pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering.

SPONSORED Built on insurance experience to deliver on long-term promises

Knighthead Life entered the market with a competitive MYGA. A strong launch earned advisor confidence and paved the way for FIAs.

SPONSORED In the Age of AI, Trust Becomes the Advisor's Greatest Asset

As AI makes financial information more accessible than ever, Lana Hock explains why human judgment, trust, and empathy remain the qualities clients value most in a financial advisor