The Bethesda, Maryland firm, co-founded by Robert Johnson (pic) and Thomas Baltimore, is talking to LPs about consolidating its Urban Lodging Fund II and Fund III for a possible IPO as a public REIT.
The firm expects to hit the fundraising trail this year targeting a similar amount to its $10.9bn opportunity fund, BREP VI, which is 70% invested. President Tony James said Blackstone invested $5bn of equity in real estate in 2010.
Democratic Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut again sponsored legislation to create a powerful, centralised infrastructure financing institution. The legislation is similar to her 2009 infrastructure bank bill, but with a few key changes. President Barack Obama has repeatedly supported the creation of an infrastructure bank.
Optimal conditions have arrived for greenfield PPPs in the US, but who will benefit? Andrew Fraiser of Allen & Overy examines the evidence.
Infrastructure investment analyst Robert Bain suggests it might be time to re-assess the credit quality of UK public-private partnerships – a mature, resilient sector characterised by low volatility, essentiality, strong government support under successive political regimes and few defaults.
Infrastructure investors eyeing US renewables may have to work a little harder to source attractive deals thanks to five trends rapidly reshaping the sector. Cezary Podkul explains.
Turkey’s $5bn-plus highway and bridge privatisation package may represent a unique opportunity for investors wanting to offset their exposure to Europe’s slower-growing territories, writes Bruno Alves.
Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson introduced a bill to extend the popular TIFIA infrastructure loan programme through 2016. The bill would also increase annual funding for TIFIA from $122m to $285m, enabling the Department of Transportation to dramatically increase the amount of loans it is able to make through the programme.
France’s plans to launch a state-sponsored securitisation vehicle for the refinancing of PPP debt post-construction could end up being the long-awaited solution to bring the capital markets back into infrastructure financing. By Bruno Alves
Spain’s macroeconomic problems have put off many real estate investors, but some hardy firms have managed to find attractive situations to invest in. PERE Magazine February 2011 issue.