CHICAGO—KBS Growth & Income Real Estate Investment Trust has just acquired 213 W. Institute Pl., a 155,454 square foot converted loft office building with vintage brick and timber details located in the River North submarket of Chicago, for $43.5 million. The trust now has a $193.9 million portfolio of four class A office buildings, located across the US. Tenants occupy more than 90% of the space in each property.

It's no surprise when investors purchase office buildings in River North, one of the city's most vibrant submarkets. But what sets this investment off from many others is that the trust's portfolio sits on KBS' recently debuted direct-access online platform, KBSDirect.com, allowing accredited investors and advisors direct access to institutional-quality commercial real estate properties with no load or upfront fees.

“The minimum investment is $10,000, but we have accredited investors who have subscribed and invested much more with us,” Chuck Schreiber, chief executive officer, KBS Realty Advisors, tells GlobeSt.com. “It's up to the investor or the advisor. If they are new to KBS, perhaps they test the water with us through a minimum investment. If they know us well, perhaps a larger investment is warranted. At this point, we are seeking to raise $500,000,000 in total, which would give KBS Growth & Income Fund around $1 – $1.2 billion in buying power.”