EAST ORANGE, NJ-Gaia Real Estate Co. has partnered with HarelInsurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd., one ofIsrael’s largest insurance companies, to invest in residential realestate in the US and, specifically, the Tri-State area.

To that end, Gaia has acquired several hundred residential unitsin three separate deals: a 48-unit building on Manhattan’s UpperWest Side at 5 W. 91st St. for $16.75 million; a 20-story,265-unit high-rise here for $30 million; and a 92-unit multifamilyproperty at 38 Balaban Rd. in Colchester, Connecticut for $5.4million.

“The partnership will give Gaia another financing option thatwill help us close deals faster and give us a competitive advantageand flexibility that is necessary in today’s market for success,”says Gaia managing partner Danny Fishman. He explains that allthree properties will be re-branded under the Gaia name and managedby Vision Property Management--a full subsidiary of Gaia.