Blackstone steps up property deals in Asia

[HONG KONG] Blackstone Group LP, which has put US$1 billion of equity this year into Asian real estate, says it's poised for more deals in the region as maturing funds sell assets and banks retreat amid new regulations.

"As the competition has receded, the investment landscape has become more interesting," said Chris Heady, the firm's regional head of real estate investing in Hong Kong. "We believe this competitive dynamic will persist for some time."

Blackstone's property acquisitions in Asia this year …