Blackstone Sees Half of Assets Coming From Individual Investors

"There's no reason that ultimately it won't account for half the assets we manage," Solotar said. Pressed for a timeline, she said, "I'm going to give myself a little more than five years. Let's say 10."

Retail investors come with different concerns and priorities than institutional clients. The 10-year lockup on traditional buyout funds, for example, can be difficult for individuals who have larger or more unpredictable cash needs than a pension or sovereign wealth fund. Private capital vehicles also typically charge higher fees than liquid pools that individuals are accustomed to.

Solotar said Blackstone's fees for retail offerings are "not all that different" from those for funds geared toward institutions. Structures such as interval funds or private real estate investment trusts can help address individuals' liquidity needs when investing in alternative assets, she said.

"We are targeting the $1 million to $5 million investor," Solotar said. "They are really under-penetrated in the alts business."