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The past decade has been a defining one for India’s real estate sector. Major policy reforms — such as the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act and REIT regulations — have not only brought order and stability, but also better positioned the sector for institutional participation.

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it has highlighted the need for investors to future-proof their portfolios. To this end, many institutions are reassessing their portfolio allocations. For real estate investors, this includes an investigation of alternative property types because these sectors can enhance portfolio returns in three key ways.

There remains a hope, even an expectation, that we have seen the worst of what COVID will throw at us — that the road ahead will be smoother. This is more than likely the case, especially considering whatever is heading our way is likely a variation on what we have already managed.

Life sciences as a property sector is already established in the United States, and the sector is emerging in Europe. In Asia, though, it remains a niche play. That’s surely set to change, due to rising incomes, aging East Asian populations, and favorable population-growth and urbanization trends.

There is a focused need to have measurable environmental, social and governance (ESG) data to show progress.

Despite a few jitters in late 2021 with the emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, U.S. REITs performed very well in the past year, with a total return of 43 percent in 2021, according to the Nareit Equity REITs Index.

Allianz Real Estate, on behalf of National Pension Service of Korea (NPS) and Allianz group companies, via its AREAP Core I fund has entered into definitive agreements to acquire a 50 percent stake in Sydney.

Arch Street Capital Advisors and Orion Office REIT have formed a programmatic venture focused on the acquisition of long-term leased, single-tenant office assets.

Mercer has raised $4.8 billion of commitments for its Mercer Private Investment Partners VI (PIP VI) fund.

Land & Buildings Investment Management, a hedge fund, has proposed a merger to acquire LXP Industrial Trust in a $16-per-share cash offer.

Dutch pension fund manager PGGM and London hotel investor and operator L+R Hotels have invested in a European value-add hotel venture launched by LRO Hospitality.

Barings has appointed Dags Chen as head of U.S. real estate research and strategy.

Alex Edds has joined LaSalle Investment Management as head of sustainability Europe.

Azora has signed an agreement with a global institutional investor to create BRISA.

Stoneweg Hospitality and Bain Capital Credit, via their real estate hospitality joint venture, have signed an agreement to acquire the group of companies that owns and operates the Hotel Los Monteros Spa & Golf Resort in Marbella, Spain.

Barings has agreed on two loans to KKR and Palm Capital in Ireland for a total of €225 million ($252 million).

DRC Savills Investment Management has provided a substantial mezzanine loan to finance Victory Group’s landmark €765 million ($855 million) purchase of ABN AMRO’s global head office in Amsterdam.

QuadReal Property Group and Valor Real Estate Partners have expanded their partnership with the launch of a second joint venture to invest an additional €3 billion ($3.4 billion) in urban logistics assets located primarily in the United Kingdom, France and Germany.

KGAL Investment Management has purchased the fifth property for its KGAL Wohnen Core 3 fund, a vehicle that invests in sustainable residential properties in Germany's key residential markets. The fund has €500 million ($559 million) of equity.

Investcorp has sold 10 U.K. industrial and logistics assets to three different buyers — Kennedy Wilson, Realty Income and Investra Capital — for a combined total of £108.4 million ($145 million).