DWS has signed binding agreements to acquire 100 percent of Peakside Capital Advisors AG from a group of shareholders led by founders and managing partners Stefan Aumann and Boris Schran. Peakside is a real estate asset manager focusing on value-add and opportunistic investments in Germany and Central and Eastern Europe. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
Peakside is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, and has offices in Frankfurt, Munich, Warsaw and Luxembourg. The firm manages assets of over €1.7 billion, primarily for institutional investors, across the office, retail, logistics and residential sectors. It employs approximately 45 people and has acquired real estate worth over €4.8 billion on behalf of its investors.
The acquisition will strengthen DWS's alternatives platform by adding value-add and opportunistic investment expertise to its European real estate business. DWS said it will also broaden its offering in Germany and add relevant expertise in Central and Eastern Europe. The financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.
Stefan Aumann, Boris Schran and Simon Lutz, along with senior managers Frank Schäfer and Karol Maziukiewicz, will remain with the company following completion, supporting continuity within the broader Peakside team.
"The acquisition of Peakside is an important step in strengthening our alternatives platform," said Stefan Hoops, CEO of DWS. "The acquisition sends a clear signal that real estate is a core component of our alternatives offering and an attractive asset class that we intend to further expand."
"By combining our investment expertise with DWS's client relationships, sales capabilities, and global platform, we see significant opportunities to expand the business and further develop solutions for our investors," said Stefan Aumann, founder and managing partner of Peakside. Boris Schran, also a founder and managing partner, added: "Together with DWS, we want to build on our proven strengths, preserve the entrepreneurial culture of our team and continue our successful development."
