DWS, the asset management arm of Deutsche Bank, has agreed to acquire Peakside Capital Advisors, a specialist real estate investment manager focused on Germany and Central and Eastern Europe, as it seeks to expand its alternatives business.

The German asset manager said it had signed binding agreements to acquire 100% of Peakside Capital Advisors AG from shareholders led by founders and managing partners Stefan Aumann and Boris Schran. Its founders and managing partners will remain with the business following completion, which is expected by the end of 2026 subject to regulatory approval and other customary conditions.

Peakside manages more than €1.7bn of assets, mainly for institutional investors, with exposure to office, retail, logistics and residential property. Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, Peakside also operates in Germany, Luxembourg and Poland.

DWS said the acquisition would strengthen its alternatives platform by adding established real estate investment capabilities and broadening its European property offering, particularly in Germany while also enhancing its presence in Central and Eastern Europe.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

DWS CEO Stefan Hoops said: “The acquisition of Peakside is an important step in strengthening our Alternatives platform. Peakside will add established capabilities and a strong track record in value-add and opportunistic real estate investing in Europe. It sends a clear signal that real estate is a core part of our Alternatives offering and an exciting asset class that we want to grow.”

Aumann added: “By combining our investment expertise with DWS’ client relationships, distribution capabilities and global platform, we see significant opportunities to further develop the business and the solutions we provide to investors. We look forward to continuing to develop the business as part of DWS and to supporting its next phase of growth.”

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