LOS ANGELES-Los Angeles-based real estate investment manager Mesa West has completed the closing of the Mesa West Real Estate Income Fund III, LP with $752 million in equity commitments, surpassing its original fundraising goals by over $100 million. Mesa West's strategy is to focus on debt-only platforms, and it is one of the first to do so, focusing on pension funds, endowments, foundations and off-shore investors looking for lower risk investments.

“As real estate debt continues to find a permanent home in the allocations of many institutional investors, our track record and focus certainly has played a role in in the success of our fundraising efforts,” says Ryan Krauch, Mesa West principal.

In an earlier story, GlobeSt.com reported that Texas Permanent School Fund, Los Angeles City Employees Retirement System, Hawaii Employees' Retirement System and San Diego City Employees' Retirement System were among the fund's original investors, contributing between $20 million and $75 million.

Mesa West has closed two earlier funds, also exceeding fundraising goals. In total, the debt fund manager has originated more than $4.0 billion in non-recourse first mortgage debt with a “originate-and-hold strategy.” Co-CEO Mark Zytko says, "While not the sexiest strategy, it has proven to help investors meet their actuarial yield requirements with the least amount of risk possible.”