Derby Lane Partners, a new alternative investment strategy with a focus on commercial real estate, is preparing to put $1.8 billion to work in originating and purchasing commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS), senior secured mortgages, mezzanine loans, and preferred equity, according to a spokesperson for Derby Lane.
Adam Piekarski is founder, chief executive officer and chief investment officer of the investment management firm, which will start with investment opportunities in North America.
"Today's market presents an attractive opportunity to invest in commercial real estate debt," according to a statement from Piekarski. "We have assembled a seasoned team, paired with flexible capital and a differentiated approach to the market, that positions our firm to play offense while others continue to play defense."
Piekarski previously was co-head of real estate credit at BDT & MSD Partners, where he oversaw the investment of more than $5 billion in capital for commercial real estate credit investment strategies.
Kory Klebanoff and Urian Yap, both partners, join Piekarski. Klebanoff was co-head of East Coast Originations at ACORE Capital. Urian, also chief financial officer, was CFO of Madison Realty Capital.
Derby Lane's investment team will include managing directors Matt Doneth, who joins from Apollo Global Management, and Heecheol Pak, from Blackstone.
Several firms are among its strategic anchor partners, including BTG Pactual, affiliates of Fortress Investment Group, Koch Real Estate Investments and Liberty Mutual Investments.
