Patrizia has joined forces with Caisson Investment Management for a new mandate to invest in a multi-let industrial real estate during the lockdown in the UK.

The first investment has already been made through the €41m acquisition of the Quarry Wood Industrial Estate near Maidstone.

Patrizia said the plan was to assemble “a portfolio with exposure to a sector that has remained resilient throughout the lockdown and continues to be underpinned by strong market fundamentals, principally the growth in online shopping�.

Jamie Younger, head of transactions for the UK and Ireland at Patrizia, said: “We are pleased to be working with Caisson as our asset manager on this latest mandate, focusing on an area of the market that has successfully withstood the challenges of COVID-19.

“Industrial real estate has delivered robust rent collection rates over the last few months and continues to be underpinned by long term structural resilience, including the growth of e-commerce and last-mile delivery.�

The six-hectare industrial estate has about 42,000sqm of lettable space across 27 units let to 18 tenants. Occupiers range from local, regional and national businesses in manufacturing, distribution and e-commerce.

“Quarry Wood Industrial Estate is a popular, well-located multi-let industrial estate that provides diversity of income,� said Younger.

“The site also has potential institutional quality, which will be delivered through the active asset management expertise and specific sector strengths of Patrizia and our partner, Caisson.�

Philip Stott, investment partner at Caisson Investment Management, said it was the seventh mandate with Patrizia.

“The UK multi-let industrial sector has proven to be robust through these challenging times and we are pleased to have efficiently executed the transaction during lockdown,� he said.