Private equity giant Carlyle is seeking to launch a fourth European real estate fund next year, with the goal of raising EUR 1.5-2 bn of equity, according to a news report by Reuters.

Carlyle still has about EUR 600 mln of equity remaining in the Carlyle Europe Real Estate Partners III fund, which is expected to be fully invested this year, Carlyle's managing director Europe Eric Sasson told Reuters. The fund had, in the past year, invested in a portfolio of six London offices linked to the failed White Tower CMBS and formed a joint venture to develop four London projects in the fast-growing student housing sector.

In particular, Carlyle's investment focus remains on the UK and on the London office market, but other European markets, such as France and Spain, are of growing interest.