The New York-based alternative investment manager picks up more real estate debt and equity capabilities as part of $450m deal.
Lee Levy, senior managing director and head of debt, joins the firm from Goldman Sachs.
The firm believes the best way to alleviate the housing shortage is to fund best-in-class developers.
Investors are shifting their focus towards higher returns, higher risk profile strategies.
The Santa Monica, California-based company received a commitment from London-based investment manager Triple Point that will allow it to significantly scale its business.
The fund has seeded a just-launched private debt strategy from an industry veteran.
When there is a dearth of capital for a sector, that could signal a time to look at the asset class more closely, said Peter Gordon, head of US commercial real estate debt.
The financing, which comprises a construction loan and C-PACE financing, will be used to develop the second phase of a mixed-use project in Darien, Connecticut.
The supply-demand fundamentals in the sector have also meant more attention from institutional investors.
Chief financial officer Chris Condelles said the investment demonstrates how periods of dislocation often present opportunity.