Zoe Hughes

US firm Prudential Real Estate Investors (PREI) has expanded its investment relationship with partner Beekman Helix India Partners by establishing a joint private equity real estate platform, Pramerica BHI India.

The San Francisco-based private equity real estate secondaries firm appoints former Redwood Trust mortgage specialist John Arens as director.

The Los Angeles-based private equity firm has sold the Breakwater Edison hotel on Miami’s famed Ocean Drive for $25m.

The US’ second largest pension fund is considering allocating $1bn to the growing asset class with California’s infrastructure needs to be given preference. The move comes as fellow pension giant CalPERS finalises its inflation-linked investment programme.

The private equity real estate firm hires former DTZ executive to capitalize on the growing secondaries and fund of funds market in Europe.

The US public service union, the Service Employees International Union, has launched an international initiative to change tax laws it asserts unfairly benefit private equity firms.

The $34bn Pennsylvania State Employees’ Retirement System commits to six private equity debt and technology funds, as it reveals investments are down 4 percent in the first quarter of 2008.

The US state has revealed a major funding gap in key infrastructure projects, if it is to keep pace with growing population over the next 25 years.

The Canadian pension has been hit by turbulence in the public equities and REIT markets, but its alternatives fared well in 2007, with infrastructure leading the way.

The New York private equity firm continues investing in pulp and paper mills, braving the ‘perfect storm’ of skyrocketing energy costs and a strong Canadian dollar.