An Irish investment firm Alanis Capital has bought a shopping centre in Liverpool in a deal understood to be valued at about €120 million. Alanis acquired the Metquarter centre in the main shopping area of Liverpool in partnership with the private banking arm of Anglo Irish Bank. The firm, which has a low profile outside of the property market, has built up a large portfolio of international investment and development assets in the last 20 years. Investment properties under management by Alanis are understood to have a valuation of some €1.5 billion. The firm is thought to be involved with partners in development projects worth another €1.5 billion. A former director of a Bank of Ireland subsidiary called Property Loans & Investment Company, John McCormack established the business in 1985. His sons Brian, Niall and Alan are partners in the business, as is businessman Marcus Ryan. The Metquarter transaction sees the company take control of 44 retail units over two levels in the main shopping area of Liverpool. In addition to investments in Ireland and Britain, Alanis holds property assets in Germany and US cities such as Boston and Houston. The company also owns investments in Central and South America and in the Caribbean.