Carlyle Group, a US private equity company is preparing to launch real estate fund. The firm seeks to raise a hefty US$4 billion according to Wall Street Journal reports with sources familiar with the matter unnamed.

If the company is successful to raise said amount, this would be one of the biggest property funds to be achieved since the financial crisis.

Carlyle's rivals Blackstone Group LP, KKR & Co LP, TPG Capital Management have already funds to get into the real estate market. Currently, Blackstone has more than US%54 billion of property assets under its management according to reports.

Robert Stuckey, head if Carlyle's US real estate group said that the company believes in the importance of investments it makes despite the tough market.

In June, the 27-story glass and steel office as well as the retail tower of Carlyle was agreed to be acquired for US$1.3 billion by Crown Acquisitions.

Carlyle was not immediately available to comment regarding the report.