H.I.G. Capital has just given itself a dedicated vehicle to chase one of Europe's most structurally undersupplied housing markets. An affiliate of H.I.G. Capital has established Highground Living, a newly created €1bn German residential platform headquartered in Berlin, bringing together the firm's existing investments and operations across the city under a single institutional structure.
The launch is not simply a rebrand of assets already on the books. Alongside the consolidation of its Berlin holdings, H.I.G. is simultaneously deploying fresh capital into a €450m high-quality residential portfolio spanning Leipzig and Dresden, giving Highground a footprint across three of Germany's strongest urban markets from day one. The Company combines institutional ownership with an experienced local operating platform, a structure designed to improve asset performance while scaling housing delivery across the country.
What is worth noting for investors and developers with residential exposure in these cities is what H.I.G. is signalling about its next move rather than just this one. The firm has stated its intention to expand both Highground's portfolio and its operating platform over time, framing Germany's structural housing shortages, resilient demand and limited new supply as the backdrop for continued growth. That positions Highground not as a one-off acquisition but as an active, well-capitalised consolidator that owners of residential assets or development land in Berlin, Leipzig and Dresden should now expect to see bidding for further opportunities.
Riccardo Dallolio, Managing Director and Head of H.I.G. Realty Europe, based in London, framed the launch as a strategic milestone: "Highground marks an important milestone for H.I.G. Realty's European residential strategy. We have identified German residential as one of our high-conviction markets and have built a scalable platform to capitalise on the current market opportunity."
Stelios Theodosiou, Managing Director at H.I.G. Realty in Europe, pointed to the platform's long-term ambitions: "Highground provides an institutional operating platform capable of creating long-term value through active asset management and disciplined portfolio growth. We look forward to supporting the management team as the business grows across Germany's residential market."
The platform sits within a substantial global operation. H.I.G. is a global alternative investment firm with €65.4bn (based on total capital raised) under management, operating from Miami alongside offices across the US and international affiliate offices including Hamburg, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan and Paris. Since its founding in 1993, the firm has invested in and managed more than 400 companies worldwide, and its current portfolio spans over 100 companies with combined sales exceeding €46.2bn, scale that gives Highground significant institutional backing as it pursues growth across Germany's residential sector.
People mentioned:
- Riccardo Dallolio – Managing Director and Head of H.I.G. Realty Europe
- Stelios Theodosiou – Managing Director, H.I.G. Realty Europe
Companies mentioned:
- H.I.G. Capital – Global alternative investment firm and parent of Highground Living
- Highground Living – Newly established €1bn German residential platform headquartered in Berlin
- WhiteHorse Finance – Publicly traded BDC managed by H.I.G.'s debt funds
