Over the last 20 years, the Polish cinema market has maintained strong growth momentum with an average 8.7% y/y increase in ticket sales in 2017 and cinema attendance hitting 56.6 million. Today, there are more than 1,300 screens in nearly 500 cinemas across the country. Multiplexes with two or more screens make up only approximately 25% of all cinemas in Poland but account for 75% of all screens. Most of them (80%) are located in shopping centres. Despite its rapid expansion, this market still has a big growth potential considering saturation levels in Poland and Western Europe.

Madison International Real Estate Liquidity Fund VI LP has taken a 50% stake in the Warsaw Spire office tower, becoming an equal owner alongside the Ghelamco GP12 fund. The value of the tower is approx. €350 million. Warsaw Spire is the tallest office building in Central Europe and the acquisition is one of the country’s largest office real estate transactions in recent times.

This year´s central topic at Prague Property Forum will be the digital transformation effectively changing the real estate market. The event, which will be held for the second time in Prague, is organised by Property Forum in close cooperation with RICS. The conference has attracted highly respected speakers from the Czech as well as European property markets, some of them being present in Prague for the first time.

Immofinanz issued the legally required statement by the Executive Board on the voluntary partial public takeover offer by SOF-11 Starlight 10 EUR S.à.r.l. (Starwood Capital Group). In this statement, the Executive Board recommends that shareholders do not accept the partial public takeover offer of €2.10 per share for up to 5% of Immofinanz.

The ability to analyse how a building is used and to adapt the indoor environment accordingly is a clear example of a trend that is not only here to stay but will only grow in importance. By simply monitoring occupancy, building managers and owners can reduce costs and increase lease income. At the same time, occupants can enjoy a series of features that make their lives easier and allow them to work more productively. Proptech company Spaceti, which will be featured at Prague Property Forum 2018, introduces its solutions.

The Iulius Company commences the construction works for the fourth office building of the total six to be included in the Openville Timişoara mixed-use development. Spanning on a 155 m height and 27 floors, United Business Center 0 (UBC 0) will be the tallest office building in Romania. The Openville project is currently under construction in the proximity of Iulius Mall Timişoara and, owing to the 130,000 sqm of office premises it will create, it hopes to become the main business hub in the west of Romania.

Atrium European Real Estate Limited has entered into an agreement to sell Atrium Militari shopping centre in Bucharest, Romania to MAS Real Estate Inc., for €95 million, representing a 9% premium to book value on 31 December 2017. The transaction is subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions precedent which are expected to be finalised by the end of the third quarter of 2018.

Marek Pohl assumed the role of Head of the Valuation Department at BNP Paribas Real Estate in Prague, thus obtaining a promotion from the position of Senior Property Valuer.

GTC continues its growth strategy and further expands its portfolio in Sofia. The developer and asset manager purchased Mall of Sofia, a prime shopping centre and office tower in Sofia’s Central Business District, seizing opportunity in the growing economy in Bulgaria. The property was formerly owned by Europa Capital.

Immofinanz has opened two further retail parks in its Stop Shop brand. The Stop Shop portfolio has now grown to 72 locations with roughly 500,000 sqm of rentable space in eight countries. The new properties are located in the Serbian cities of Požarevac (7,200 sqm) and Vršac (8,250 sqm). Both locations are 100% rented. The tenants include, among others, LC Waikiki, Reserved, Sinsay, CCC, Deichmann and DM.