Investors Have Poured Billions into Statutory Trusts
U.S. investors raised $7.5 billion for Delaware statutory trusts through the first nine months of 2026.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Commercial
Live Poll
Do you consider pooled commercial real estate investments a reliable way to grow your savings?
Investors have raised $7.5 billion in equity for Delaware statutory trusts through September 2026. This total represents a 27% increase compared to the $5.9 billion raised during the same period in 2025.
Why it matters
Investors utilize these trusts to gain passive exposure to commercial real estate assets while deferring capital gains taxes. Institutional platforms are actively expanding their offerings to meet this growing demand.
Ares Real Estate Exchange led the sector by raising $1.5 billion, while industrial and multifamily assets accounted for 39% and 22% of total investment respectively. September 2026 saw $357 million in equity raised, down from $461 million in September 2025.
The players
Ares Real Estate Exchange
This firm is a major participant in the commercial real estate investment market that raised $1.5 billion in 2026.
Blue Owl Capital
The investment firm operates as a platform that raised $626 million for statutory trusts in 2026.
ExchangeRight Real Estate
The real estate company specializes in fractional ownership and raised $619 million in 2026.
Hines Real Estate Exchange
This global investment manager launched its dedicated platform for these investment vehicles in 2022.
The details
Individuals participate by pooling funds into commercial real estate to hold fractional interests managed by institutional firms. These platforms are increasingly popular as a vehicle for tax-advantaged wealth management and diversification.
Timeline
September 2022 marked the launch of the Hines Real Estate Exchange DST platform.
Investors raised $5.9 billion for trusts from January through September 2025.
The total equity raised for trusts reached $7.5 billion from January through September 2026.
Investment volume in September 2025 totaled $461 million.
Investment volume in September 2026 reached $357 million.
Culture Shift
The rise of these trusts follows a pattern set by the use of Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code for tax-deferred real estate exchanges. This investment trend reflects a broader move toward passive, tax-efficient real estate holding strategies among individual investors.
Investors should note that while these trusts offer potential tax deferment, they require a commitment to passive, fractional ownership in commercial properties. Potential participants should evaluate the 39% industrial and 22% multifamily asset concentrations to ensure alignment with their portfolios.
The takeaway
Delaware statutory trusts allow individuals to pool resources for professional commercial real estate management and tax efficiency. Investors must recognize that these vehicles involve long-term capital commitment rather than liquid, short-term stock market trading.
Further reading
For additional context on market trends, visit the United States Commercial section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Bisnow.
Live Poll
Do you consider pooled commercial real estate investments a reliable way to grow your savings?
