2017 has not ended yet, but it is safe to say that it has been a record year for the CEE property market. The period of strong growth is not over yet, market sentiment is positive and all signs point to 2018 bringing new opportunities for expansion in the property business. In times like these it is especially important to find the time to share knowledge and make new connections, which is why Property Forum will continue to provide a meeting point for the CEE property industry. In 2018 Property Forum events will be held in Bratislava, Bucharest, Prague, Vienna and – for the first time – in Warsaw.

GTC’s Polish flagship retail project was officially granted an investment loan facility in the maximum amount of up to €200 million. Under the original agreement, Bank Pekao S.A. granted a construction loan facility of up to €116 million.

British group Kingfisher PLC, a European DIY chain present in Romania through the Brico Depot brand, acquired Praktiker Romania, which currently operates 26 units and is one of the largest DIY retailers in the country. PeliFilip assisted Kingfisher PLC.

Auchan Retail Romania, a subsidiary of Auchan, has acquired OK, a supermarket chain which has three units in the Bucharest area, zf.ro reports.

Greece's Alpha Astika Akinita has sold its Serbian subsidiary Alpha Real Estate to Mat Real Estate for €8.4 million euro. The transaction was carried out on November 28, Alpha Bank’s subsidiary announced on the Athens Stock Exchange.

JLL´s Czech Supply Chain Activity Index marks further strong growth in Q3 2017, supporting continued robust occupier demand. The Index rose by 1.1% in Q3 2017, significantly above its long-term trend. As such, it maintained the strong growth patterns seen over the past three quarters.

Dyskret Polska, represented by Cushman & Wakefield, has finalised the disposal of the Vinci Office Center in Kraków. The buyer and the transaction price have not been disclosed. 

Frank Nickel (58), CEO of CA Immobilien Anlagen AG, decided to leave the company for health reasons, in mutual agreement with the company with effect as of 31 December 2017 the earliest but in any event not later than 31 March 2018.

Neptune – a joint venture between Neinver and TH Real Estate, acting on behalf of TIAA, has completed the purchase of Factory Warsaw Ursus Outlet Mall in the capital of Poland for €79.7m representing a net initial yield of 6.33%.

The Rezidor Hotel Group announced the recent signings of six new hotels – expanding its momentum growth in capitals and primary strategic locations in Poland, Cameroon, Georgia, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon