Peakline Real Estate Funds Ventures into BTR Sector with New Fund

Peakline Real Estate Funds, a part of Peakline Partners LLC, has stepped into the build-to-rent (BTR) arena with the introduction of its Build-to-Rent Fund I (BTR I). The firm aims to secure $300 million for the fund, focusing on seven to 10 investments, as outlined on its website.

Led by Jason Ross, managing director at PREF, the fund targets the rising demand for single-family rental homes in high-growth U.S. regions, including the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and Mountain West. PREF has already pinpointed several projects encompassing over 1,600 units for potential investment.

This launch strengthens PREF’s portfolio of private real estate strategies, enhancing its existing $5 billion, 35-property collection that spans qualified opportunity zones, logistics developments, and other key real estate sectors.

“Coming off the heels of our firm’s renaming, this is an exciting moment to expand PREF’s fund offerings,” said Michael Miller, co-Founder, president, and CEO of PREF. “The real estate market is evolving, and we remain committed to disciplined, strategic investing that delivers smart solutions for our investors.”

PREF ventured into fund management in 2018 with its Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) fund series, later adding its Industrial development fund series.

Headquartered in Chicago, Peakline—previously Cresset Partners until its February 2025 rebrand—has deployed over $1.7 billion in equity across six funds and select standalone investments, amassing $5 billion in gross value across 17 million square feet in more than 15 high-growth U.S. markets.