Union Investment and Investa Capital Management (ICM) have agreed to work closely together on designing and launching innovative real estate solutions for institutional investors. The first fund concept to be developed underlines the joint commitment of the two property specialists. Urban Campus Nr. 1 is the first special AIF in Germany that gives professional investors the opportunity to invest in pioneering working and office structures. The investment focus of the thematic fund is on-campus properties, ie office buildings that feature flexible space concepts and address sharing and co-working trends, as well as providing a high quality urban environment. The intention is that the new fund will invest primarily in diversified campus properties with multiple tenants that attract SMEs and start-ups in particular due to their proximity to scientific facilities and inclusion in vibrant and professionally managed developments.
“This new concept is aimed predominantly at institutional investors looking for strong ongoing income and wanting to broaden their real estate exposure to include this exciting emerging segment. ICM is the perfect partner for this joint fund concept, due to its good access to attractive investment properties,” said Dr. Christoph Schumacher, member of the management board at Union Investment Institutional Property GmbH. Investa Immobiliengruppe brings many years of real estate experience in mixed-use commercial properties to the partnership and has made a name for itself as a specialist for positioning, implementing and managing campus properties.
“In future, what an office building is and what it needs to deliver will be redefined,” said Rainer Thaler, managing director at ICM. “There is no doubt, however, that it will include an environment focused on wellbeing and a high service density at the location. This innovative fund concept shows that we have our finger firmly on the pulse of Work Environment 2.0.”
Union Investment’s institutional product range of thematic real estate funds currently covers hotels, retail and infrastructure. With Urban Campus Nr. 1, the range is now being extended by a pioneering fourth fund.
Union Investment and ICM intend to develop their partnership by establishing more real estate solutions for institutional investors. “We have many new areas in mind where our competencies are an excellent match,” stated Dr. Christoph Schumacher and Rainer Thaler.
