French pension fund ERAFP has bought an office asset in central London via a mandate with .

L’Etablissement de Retraite Additionnelle de La Fonction Publique – France’s public sector pension fund – made the decision to invest abroad in 2013, its first venture into European real estate.

The fund is targeting core and core-plus assets.

AXA Real Estate said it bought 63 St Mary Axe in the City district of the UK capital for Β£70m (€95m) from , the fifth acquisition for ERAFP in Europe.

The multi-let office building, which includes retail and leisure space, was redeveloped in 2013.

Anne Kavanagh, global head of asset management and transactions at AXA Real Estate, said the City’s β€œincreasingly dominant position as a global business destination continues to drive lower vacancy rates in the area”.

The acquisition follows AXA REIM SGP’s purchase of Camomile Court, also on behalf of ERAFP, .

Rockspring sold the St Mary Axe asset for a separate account client, having bought the property in 2011 with Moorevale.