New York State Common Retirement Fund (NYSCRF) has expanded its US real estate investment joint venture with the asset management arm of insurer MetLife.

The $268bn (€232.5bn) pension fund said it investing $300m for a 49.9% stake in MetLife Core Plus Partners III, the latest partnership created with to target core US real estate. MetLife’s general account will own the remaining 50.1%.

NYSCRF issued $345m and $300m in 2016 and 2017 to its previous relationships with MetLife.

The pension fund told Âé¶¹Ó³»­ Real Assets that MetLife has â€�demonstrated its ability to identify attractive investment opportunities and proactively manage assetsâ€�.

Partners III will target core assets that can generate 8% to 10% net and 10% to 12% gross internal rate of returns based on a seven- to 10-year holding period.

NYSCRF said the venture will target multifamily and industrial properties, with selective acquisitions of office, retail and mixed-use property types. The pension fund has investment discretion to approve transactions.

“The venture can invest in a limited amount of alternative property types, with life science acquisitions primarily being the target.�

MetLife declined a request for comment.

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