Atlanta-based Southeast Capital Partners Inc. (SECP) and a northeastern opportunity fund have teamed up to form SE Apartment Investors I LLC — a $400 million fund that will purchase and develop apartment complexes in the Atlanta, Nashville, Florida and North Carolina markets.

Jay Clark, principal of SECP, is leading the effort with partner Satish S. Lathi. In the 30 years the two real estate executives have worked together, they have brokered, developed and managed more than $2 billion worth of transactions. Clark says the fund will focus on Southeastern metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) with 1 million or more residents, but will also pursue opportunities in select smaller markets.