Brazilian Family Votorantim Eyes $1 Billion in US Real Estate Deals

Votorantim SA, a Brazilian holding company owned by the wealthy Ermirio de Moraes family, plans to increase its US real estate assets to nearly $1 billion in five years. Currently, the company has $200 million invested in the sector and aims to boost its US portfolio from 20% to 50%. The firm is seeking to invest $100 million to $150 million annually in the US through partnerships with institutional operators and co-investors.

Votorantim SA, a Brazilian holding company owned by the wealthy Ermirio de Moraes family, has outlined an ambitious plan to increase its US real estate assets to nearly $1 billion in the next five years. Currently, the company has $200 million invested in the sector, representing 20% of its portfolio. The firm aims to boost its US portfolio to 50%, with plans to invest $100 million to $150 million annually through partnerships with institutional operators and co-investors [3].

The company, through its property business Altre Empreendimentos e Investimentos Imobiliarios SA, is leveraging opportunities created by the post-pandemic market dislocation. Altre has already secured stakes in prominent US projects, including the 50 Hudson waterfront apartment development in New Jersey and the Union West rental building in Chicago. The Ermirio de Moraes family joins a growing trend of wealthy Latin American families diversifying their investments away from their home markets [3].

Votorantim SA's Chief Investment Officer, Haig Apovian, underscored the firm's strategy of increasing its US exposure to 50% over the next five years. He noted that the company is positioned to capitalize on the need for some owners to exit assets and redeploy capital into new projects, providing Altre with opportunities to seize deals. Apovian stated, "They will need to sell assets with little or no gain to be able to reapply this money or recycle the capital in new developments" [3].

The move by Votorantim SA reflects a broader trend in the real estate sector, where investors are seeking to diversify their portfolios and capitalize on opportunities in markets outside their traditional focus. This strategy aligns with the company's long-term goal of balancing its exposure between Brazil and the US, providing a hedge against market fluctuations and economic instability in either region.

References:
[1] https://www.mingtiandi.com/real-estate/crelist/link-in-talks-to-buy-dexus-warehouse-for-100m-and-more-asia-real-estate-headlines/
[2] https://www.onlinemarketplaces.com/articles/prosus-grows-real-estate-revenue-23-but-profits-fall-at-olx-brasil/
[3] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-24/wealthy-brazilian-family-eyes-1-billion-in-us-property-deals