Echo Polska Properties NV announced results Q1 2017 with distributable earnings 3.2% ahead of budget at €16 million. At period end the portfolio was valued at €1.5 billion with a portfolio of 10 retail and nine office properties and two Warsaw-based retail development sites.

There are currently 192 retail parks in the Czech Republic, moreover 66 retail parks, totalling approximately area of 300 000 sqm, are planned to be constructed. The existing parks account for more than 790 000 sqm of retail space, 752 000 sqm of which is occupied. Hence the vacancy rate stands at 4,8% and is lower than in the previous years. These are the findings of Cushman & Wakefield’s recent detailed market research. The survey results are summed up in a map that is just being released. The map includes all existing and planned retail parks in the Czech Republic. 

TriGranit announced organisational changes in several fields of its operation. It has among other a new Chief Construction & Development Officer, a new Chief Financial Officer, a new Development Director and a new Head of Acquisitions. 

Redwood Real Estate Holding (formerly known as B&L Estates), a Hungarian real estate developer has recently started the construction of the 5,000 sqm, Class A+, LEED Platinum pre-certified Ecodome office building on a speculative basis

After entering the Hungarian market in 2016, M7 Real Estate has chosen the Budapest office of CBRE to manage the entire Hungarian real estate portfolio within the M7 CEREF I Fund. 

The recession and the years following it have brought about significant changes in facility management. The market players are challenged by developers not always thinking ahead and by a seriously lacking workforce. László Vágó, CEO of Strabag Property and Facility Services Ltd. spoke to us about their current challenges.

CPI Property Group has introduced a project for the expansion of the Clarion Congress Hotel in České Budějovice, with extensions to hotel rooms and a brand a new multi-purpose hall. Investor confidence in the locality is strong, this year in České Budějovice, nearby the hotel, the Group will be completing the extensive reconstruction and brand new addition of the IGY shopping centre. The Group also owns and operates the Géčko shopping centre in České Budějovice.

Portland Trust and its long term joint venture partner Ares Management have purchased Office Park Nové Butovice in Prague 13 for €65 million. The seller was CEE Property Development Portfolio (CPDP 2). Office Park Nové Butovice offers 36,000 sqm of leasable space.

According to its analysis of the Czech industrial & logistics market, CBRE monitors a significant increase in end-user demand and resulting developer and construction activity in the still relatively unestablished location of Northwest Bohemia. Combined with already strong activity in West Bohemia, the region of West Northwest Bohemia currently represents the most active region in the terms of construction activity for the first time in history and even outpacing the Greater Prague Region. The West Northwest Bohemia region will be a driver of new supply in 2017 and together with the Greater Prague area will account for approximately 80% of newly to be delivered space in the Czech Republic in 2017.

Skanska has launched the construction works of its Nowy Targ office project in the centre of Worlcaw. The building’s name relates to Nowy Targ square which is located nearby and which in the past served as the city's trading centre. The office project will provide nearly 22,000 sqm of flexible space dedicated to business with its delivery scheduled between Q2 and Q3 2019.