Urban Partners, one of Northern Europe’s leading real estate and credit investors, is preparing for a major rebrand. By Q1 2026, the company will retire the well-known names Nrep and Velo Capital, uniting them under a single identity: Urban Partners. The goal is to boost global visibility, simplify communications, and present a clearer structure to investors as the platform continues to expand across Europe.
Why the Change Matters
Urban Partners was established in 2023 to consolidate several strategies — Nrep (real estate), Velo Capital (credit), 2150 (venture capital), and Luma Equity (innovation investments) — under one umbrella focused on sustainable urban growth. The next step is brand unification.
The company emphasizes that this is not a shift in investment strategy, governance, or ownership, but rather a strategic decision to streamline how the platform is presented to the market.
“Now, we strengthen our positioning by uniting our strategies under one name. Our real estate business remains at the heart of what we do,” said Jens Stender, Co-CEO of Urban Partners.
Scale and Strategy
Urban Partners currently manages over €22 billion in assets, making it one of Europe’s largest private investors in the urban built environment. Its portfolio covers several core areas:
- Mid-market residential: Affordable housing in Scandinavia and Germany, including new projects in Cologne.
- Logistics and distribution: A logistics hub in Germany’s Rhine-Neckar region, with construction set to begin in Q1 2026.
- Daily-needs retail: Grocery-anchored retail centres in Finland and Denmark, including a Prisma project in Tuusula and a portfolio in Copenhagen.
Key Funds and Transactions
- In 2023, Nrep raised €3.6 billion for its flagship value-add fund — the largest of its kind in Europe.
- Velo Capital launched its fourth credit fund in 2023, reaching a €136 million first close.
- In 2025, the company sold a Prisma-anchored retail centre in Tuusula, Finland, reinvesting in logistics and residential assets.
Competitive Landscape
The rebrand comes during a challenging period for European real estate. Financing costs remain high despite the European Central Bank’s move in 2025 to cut rates (deposit rate at 2 %). Liquidity is still tight, driving investors toward stable, income-producing assets — a segment where Urban Partners has a strong track record.
Current yields in the region include:
- Residential: 4.4–5 % in Northern Europe.
- Logistics: Around 5 % depending on location and lease structure.
- Private credit: Attractive spreads for institutional investors seeking diversification.
Urban Partners competes with global players such as Blackstone, AXA IM Alts, and Brookfield, but differentiates itself through local expertise and a strong sustainability focus — factors that are increasingly important to institutional capital.
Implications for Investors
For investors, the rebrand means a simpler structure and unified branding. A single name across all funds reduces confusion, improves transparency, and emphasizes how equity and credit strategies complement one another.
The company expects this clarity to support new fundraising efforts in 2026–2027. Backed by a strong track record and a stable portfolio, Urban Partners is well positioned to attract investors seeking exposure to European real assets.
What to Watch Before 2026
- Q1 2026: Official transition to the Urban Partners brand.
- 2026–2027: Completion of major projects in Germany and Finland.
- Fund launches: Expected expansions in both value-add equity and credit vehicles.
Closing Insights
The rebranding of Nrep and Velo Capital into Urban Partners represents more than a name change. It marks a new phase of growth and consolidation. With over €22 billion in AUM, multi-billion-euro funds, and a strong focus on sustainable urban development, Urban Partners is emerging as a pan-European powerhouse. For investors, it means continuity combined with fresh opportunities: a proven platform ready to deliver scale, resilience, and long-term value in Europe’s evolving real estate landscape.
