In the first half of 2017 the warehouse market was unquestionably the fastest growing commercial property sector in Poland. The highest volume of industrial and warehouse space was delivered to the market around Poznań, i.e. 133,000 sqm, while the largest scheme of 161,000 sqm is currently under construction in Szczecin. The record numbers in respect of the schemes delivered to the market are not discouraging developers from commencing new projects.

The hotel market in Romania could become more diverse throughout the next year as a result of new brands entering the market by means of leasing or partnership contracts with real estate developers as an alternative to the management or franchise contracts. Such a business model will lead to the relaunch of the hotel market and will offer, at the same time, the possibility for real estate developers to diversify their portfolio, according to Colliers International. 

GTC’s Polish flagship retail project was officially granted a final occupancy permit. Galeria Północna, comprising 64,800 sqm of leasable space, is the first major modern shopping and entertainment centre located in Warsaw’s Białołęka district. The investment was completed within 25 months after obtaining the construction permit.

Israeli-held Elbit Imaging announced that it has signed a non-binding letter of intent with an international investment fund to sell its entire shareholding in a company owning the Radisson Complex in Bucharest, based on a property value of approximately €177.5 million.

The Czech Republic has become the top performer of the Central European region in terms of the volume of investment that has flowed into commercial real estate since the beginning of 2017. Unlike the preceding years when Poland was the clear number one, the largest amount has been invested in the Czech Republic, even though the country’s market is roughly one half the size of its larger neighbour’s market. 

JLL‘s Slovak Capital Markets team has successfully closed the sale process of the Quadro office building in Bratislava, Slovakia. JLL team acted on behalf of CEE Property Development Portfolio 2, a.s., (CPDP2) a real estate investment and asset management company, part of the Česká spořitelna Financial Group. The Quadro building was acquired by Slovakia-based property company backed by Israeli and US capital. The value of the transaction remains confidential. 

Prologis has secured a 146,500 square metre lease with Tesco Stores Slovakia at Prologis Park Galanta-Gáň. The transaction includes 55,000 square metre new lease of a recently completed build-to-suit facility and a 91,500 square metre lease renewal.

Real estate activity during the first half of 2017 was very dynamic in Bucharest as well as throughout Romania. New deliveries, extensions and transactions have led to considerable growth in the main sectors – industrial, retail, office and investment. According to Colliers International, the upward trend will continue for the remainder of the year and will be doubled by new demands.

pbb Deutsche Pfandbriefbank provided an investment facility of €63 million to CBRE Property Fund Central and Eastern Europe (CBRE PFCEE), an investment fund focusing on retail assets in Poland and Slovakia, managed by CBRE Global Investors. CBRE PFCEE will use the proceeds for the refinancing of the shopping centre “Wars Sawa Junior” in Warsaw. The transaction closed in August 2017. pbb acted as arranger and sole lender under the facility. 

Polish hotel group Orbis, the CEE partner of French group AccorHotels, has signed a management contract with local company Constructii Erbasu S.A. for an ibis Styles hotel in the northern part Bucharest.