Europe is taking a US investor into Germany鈥檚 retail property sector in a 鈧300m opportunistic drive.

The investment manager said it was working with its local partner Kintyre Investments to source and structure investments in Germany.

The strategy will initially look to build a 鈧150m portfolio, buying assets worth 鈧5m-15m.

Investment capacity for the partnership is expected to be around 鈧300m, depending on opportunity.

AEW Europe said contracts had been signed for a first acquisition, with eight other assets under offer.

Russell Jewell, head of private equity funds at AEW Europe, said the sector represented 鈥済ood value at present鈥, with 鈥減otential upside through asset management and a demonstrable pipeline of deals鈥.

Kintyre Investments, which will develop a pipeline of potential investments, will avoid major cities.

Paul Shiels, co-founder of Kintyre, said the company saw considerable value at the moment in smaller transactions, located away from the large German cities.

鈥淩etailers continue to trade strongly in these areas, and this creates attractive asset management opportunities,鈥 Shiels said.鈥