Zoe Hughes

The former president of GE’s US consumer retail finance arm will lead GE Capital Real Estate, after Pressman (pictured) decided to leave the conglomerate to ‘pursue interests outside the company’.

Just weeks after securing the €350m mandate to manage the unlisted real estate holdings of Dutch pension SPMS, Aviva Investors will establish and manage an unlisted multi-manager portfolio for neighbouring LP, Philips Pensioenfonds.

With more than 330 funds trying to raise $130bn in capital for private equity real estate strategies, 2011 is expected to see a four-fold increase in those looking to invest between $250m and $1bn of equity in the asset class, according to a Probitas survey.

The McLean, Virginia-based firm, which took Genesis private in a joint venture with Formation Capital in July 2007, has sold the 180 owned and leased facilities to listed Health Care REIT.

Last year was a year of transition, as many firms and individuals struggled to adjust to the new realities of the global real estate markets. It was enough to make even some of the biggest players in the industry throw up their hands in defeat. Yet, for those with savvy and discipline, 2010 proved to be a year of opportunity. So, which firms, individuals and deals stood out from the crowd in North America in 2010? PERE Awards supplement March 2011.

Co-investment in physical real estate assets is playing an increasing role in the secondaries playbook. PERE Magazine March issue 2011

Grosvenor looks to secure up to $500m for its latest multifamily fund, which is targeting US apartment developments. PERE Magazine March issue 2011

Invesco has acquired the Miami and New York City properties, both of which are leased to a single retailer until at least 2024.

The balance of power is starting to shift back to landlords as US vacancy rates start to slowly decline, according to NAREIM members, with rents expected to stablise in 2011. However, challenges still remain.

The San Francisco-based firm has closed Shorenstein Realty Investors 10, which will focus predominantly on trophy office properties in the US.