News DeskDubai, UAE: Dubai-based investment firm Esterad Capital Limited has marked a major milestone with the launch of its first managed investment fund, deploying USD 27 million into a strategically located travel center in the United States.
Licensed and regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority, Esterad Capital completed the transaction as its first capital deployment since inception, signaling a swift transition from platform setup to execution.
The fund’s inaugural investment involves the acquisition of a travel center located on the outskirts of Houston, approximately 20 minutes from downtown. The site benefits from direct access to one of only two major highways serving the Port of Houston, one of the busiest ports in the world by cargo volume.
The property operates under the TravelCenters of America brand, a subsidiary of British Petroleum, and is managed by the brand’s largest franchisee. The facility includes 12 gasoline pumps, four diesel pumps, parking for up to 75 trucks, and an on-site quick-service restaurant.
Importantly for investors, the asset is secured by a 20-year triple-net lease, offering long-term income stability with built-in inflation protection.
Investors in the fund include subsidiaries and associate companies of The Commercial Real Estate Company (Al-Tijaria), a publicly listed real estate group on Boursa Kuwait, alongside a group of Esterad Capital’s strategic partners.
Commenting on the transaction, Ahmed Abdulrahman, Chairman of Esterad Capital, described the investment as a significant step forward for the firm.
“This first close is an important milestone for Esterad Capital,” he said. “It reflects our ability to identify and execute institutionally structured transactions within a short timeframe, while maintaining a strong focus on asset quality, downside protection, and predictable long-term income.”
Senior Executive Officer Asad Aftab highlighted the resilience of the asset class, noting that travel centers play a vital role in the logistics and transportation ecosystem.
“Travel centers are a specialized segment of infrastructure-linked real estate and are rarely available with long-term, investment-grade leases,” Aftab said. “This investment demonstrates our ability to originate proprietary opportunities and partner with high-quality operators to deliver sustainable returns while preserving capital.”
From the investor side, Al-Tijaria’s Chief Executive Officer, Abdulmutaleb Marafie, said the deal aligns with the group’s broader international expansion strategy.
“This investment represents a meaningful step in strengthening our exposure to developed markets such as the United States,” he said. “It enhances our geographic diversification and reinforces our focus on defensive, income-generating assets that deliver long-term value to shareholders.”
Esterad Capital said the fund will follow an aggregation strategy, with plans to acquire additional complementary assets over the coming year. The goal is to build a diversified portfolio across defensive, infrastructure-linked real estate sectors in the U.S.
Headquartered in the Dubai International Financial Centre, Esterad Capital serves as the asset management arm of Esterad Group, providing institutional and high-net-worth investors access to private equity, real estate, and alternative investment opportunities.
