A total of 32 private equity real estate funds raised $30.8 billion in the third quarter, compared with $27.8 billion raised by 45 funds a year earlier, according to Private Equity Intelligence data released today. During the second quarter of 2008, 41 funds raised $32.4 billion.
The two largest funds to close in the third quarter were the Lone Star Fund VI, which closed at $7.5 billion, and LaSalle Asia Opportunity Fund III, at $3 billion, according to the data.
Currently, there are 378 real estate funds in the market seeking a total of $243 billion, up from 273 funds raising $127 billion in January.