James Comtois

The former managing director at Fortress Investment Group has joined the largest US life insurer’s investment management business to help lead its capital-raising efforts.

The Canadian pension plan saw a return of 19.4 percent for real estate during 2012, above both its benchmark and that of all other asset classes.

The global bank’s real estate investment arm has acquired a shopping center and office campus, both in California, as well as an office property in Seattle.

The real estate subsidiary of the global asset manager has raised €200 million for its European Hotel Fund II, which will have €400 million of buying power.

The Philadelphia-based firm has raised $127.99 million for LEM Real Estate High-Yield Debt and Preferred Equity Fund III, which is targeting structured real estate finance investments in the US.

The Los Angeles-based fund manager is acquiring 2 Rector Street from a venture between Savanna and Stellar Management.

The real estate arm of Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec has rearranged several executives as a means to strengthen its Canadian and international platforms.

A venture led by the New York-based investment firm has purchased a portfolio of nonperforming loans and real estate owned from Banco Popular de Puerto Rico.

Mitchell Sikora has launched JTP Capital, a New York-based placement agency and advisory firm focused on real estate.

The Toronto-based pension plan’s property holdings have achieved the highest absolute return since 2007, representing a significant outperformance relative to its benchmark.