Our approach to real estate investment
We focus on targeted locations and sectors, developing a deep knowledge of local markets, building strong relationships with key players and providing access to selected real estate opportunities.
Our team’s technical expertise combined with environmental, social and governance (ESG) integration,* allows us to create value for investors in European real estate. We have proven advantages in terms of market access, and in our ability to deploy capital quickly and efficiently.
Potential benefits of real estate strategies
Direct, thematic investors
We are direct investors, utilising our extensive network to source opportunities across real estate equity and debt, at different points on the risk spectrum. Our reputation as a trusted counterparty in the European real estate market means we see a significant volume of “off-market” opportunities. We combine in-house expertise with specialist platforms to create long-term pipeline and scale.
Market reputation and reach
We have over five decades’ experience in UK and European real estate. Our research-led, thematic approach to investing allows us to be disciplined in originating and executing transactions, in opportunities we believe will deliver the best risk-adjusted returns for our clients. Rigorous relative value analysis is an essential part of our portfolio construction process.
Responsible investment solutions
Our award-winning product suite and investment capabilities provide our clients with access to responsible investment solutions. We have pioneered proprietary tools, such as our Sustainable Transition Loans framework, to ensure responsible investment is truly embedded at the heart of our investment process for both debt and equity.*
*ESG integration means the integration of ESG factors and consideration of sustainability risk as part of the investment decision making process. This process is applied beyond any specific binding constraints (in the objective or strategy of the fund as detailed in the prospectus or investment management agreement and in accordance with our Baseline Exclusions Policy). The investment manager retains discretion on decision making taking all risks into account, beyond any binding criteria.
Key risks of real estate strategies
Investment risk
The value of an investment and any income from it can go down as well as up and can fluctuate in response to changes in currency and exchange rates. Investors may not get back the original amount invested.
Real estate risk
Investments can be made in real estate, infrastructure and illiquid assets. Investors may not be able to switch or cash in an investment when they want to because real estate may not always be readily saleable. If this is the case we may defer a request to switch or cash in shares or units. Investors should also bear in mind that the valuation of real estate is generally a matter of valuers’ opinion rather than fact.
Strategies in focus
Need more information?
For further information, please contact our investment sales team.
Real estate team
Ben Sanderson
Managing Director, Real Estate
Gregor Bamert
Head of Real Estate Debt
Renos Booth
Head of Real Estate Long Income
Explore our Private markets range
Real Assets Study 2024
Demand remains strong, but the investment drivers are changing. At a time of macroeconomic uncertainty, real assets continue to play a significant role in the investment strategies of global institutions. The sixth edition of the Aviva Investors Real Assets Study is our biggest yet and seeks to answer some key questions.
Private markets views
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Seizing the moment: The outlook for real estate debt
24 Sep 2024
Gregor Bamert, Sima Kotecha and Nick Solomon discuss the recovery in real estate debt markets in 2024 and the opportunities emerging.
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Get networking: Will the next decade be a golden age for UK infrastructure?
3 Sep 2024
While there are obstacles to overcome, the coming years could see new opportunities for the UK government and the private sector to work together on infrastructure projects, says Darryl Murphy.
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Real asset stories: Curtain House
8 Aug 2024
In the first instalment of a new series of case studies on our real asset investments, we look at Curtain House, a Victorian warehouse Aviva Investors is converting into a modern, environmentally friendly office building.
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Illiquidity premia in private debt: Q2 2024
6 Aug 2024
In our latest real assets deep dive, our research team explains how our data on illiquidity premia indicates the benefits of a multi-asset approach to private debt investing.
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Relative value in real assets: A spectrum of opportunities
2 Aug 2024
Our real assets research team drills into proprietary data to compare risk and return across sectors.
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A new chapter: Time to prepare for the next phase of the real estate cycle
17 Jul 2024
David Hedalen and Jonathan Bayfield from our real assets research team highlight data that shows real estate markets in the UK and Europe may be on the brink of an important shift.
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The future of green premia in real estate, part two: Searching for value and resilience
8 Jul 2024
Do energy-efficient buildings have more pricing power, and what could that mean for those investing in the built environment? We bring together the views of leading capital markets researchers, a valuer and an asset manager for the second part of our deep dive into green premia, analysing the investment implications.
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Avoid, reduce, remove, align: Finding climate transition investment opportunities in real assets
3 Jul 2024
In this article, Luke Layfield and Zoe Austin explain four key pillars that can help real asset investors align their strategies with the climate transition and uncover opportunities to deliver attractive returns.
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The future of green premia in real estate, part one: The view from the ground
27 Jun 2024
Do greener buildings have more pricing power, and if so, how much? We bring together the views of leading capital markets researchers, a valuer and an asset manager for a two-part deep dive on the latest market dynamics.
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Cyclical, structural, vintage: The outlook for real estate equity
10 May 2024
High inflation and rising rates hit activity in real estate markets over the past year. But cautious optimism is now returning to the investment landscape in the UK and Europe, say Imogen Ebbs and George Fraser-Harding.
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Building better: Opportunities for DC schemes to invest in the climate transition through real assets
22 Mar 2024
By investing in climate-aligned real assets, defined-contribution pension schemes can help propel the transition while also benefiting from portfolio diversification and attractive risk-adjusted returns, says Mark Meiklejon.
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Resilience and recovery: The outlook for real estate long income
21 Mar 2024
Renos Booth, Isabel Gossling and Kris McPhail from our real estate long income team consider the outlook for long-lease assets after a challenging period for investors.
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Rents, rates and the refinancing gap: The outlook for real estate debt
19 Mar 2024
After a challenging 12 months for real estate debt investors, Gregor Bamert discusses what lies ahead for the market in 2024.
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Illiquidity premia in private debt: Q4 2023
12 Mar 2024
In our latest real assets deep dive, our research team crunches the data to see how evolving macro conditions are reflected in private debt returns.
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Des res: Opportunities in rental housing for institutional investors
25 Jan 2024
Jonathan Bayfield examines the fundamentals of this asset class, as well as the opportunities and risks for real-estate investors.
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Common ground: Earning a social licence to operate in real asset investing
18 Jan 2024
Successful real asset investing requires acceptance of asset managers’ practices and procedures from a variety of stakeholders. We explore what this means for managers, their clients and investment outcomes.