Today one quarter of modern office buildings in Budapest have a sustainability evaluation certification, and even among the older office buildings a growing number apply new technologies. Almost all new real estate entrants offer architectural and environmental management solutions to their future tenant, says a report by CBRE.

Horizon Development has laid the cornerstone for its new office project. Promenade Gardens, located on Budapest’s Váci Road, is expected to be completed in Q4 2017.

Only two shopping centres will be completed in 2016 in the Czech Republic due to the slow-down of construction activity in response to the perceived market saturation. Colliers International has released its Q3 retail market report for the Czech Republic, which also states that there are signs of new entrant demand which do not match suitable space availability. 

Romania has significantly strengthened its position as a favourable investment destination within Central & Eastern Europe and unlike other countries in the region, the Romanian property market is not entirely dominated by its capital city. Although investors and developers are most active in Bucharest, secondary and even tertiary cities have a lot of potential as well, and several companies have decided to explore what these regional hubs have to offer. 

Cushman & Wakefield’s EMEA structured finance team has secured a €50+ million refinancing for Budapest’s Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace on behalf of SAS Holding Kft, the owner of the hotel building.

In H1 2016, a total of 3,350 apartments in 47 new residential schemes were completed in Prague. For the second half of the year, another 3,200 units are estimated to be completed in the Czech capital. In total, JLL expects 6,500 units to be completed in Prague, which is the highest figure since the real estate crisis in 2009. 

Total leasing activity amounted to 84,600 sqm on the Budapest industrial market in Q3 2016, which marks a 9% decrease on the previous quarter and a 37% ascent on a yearly basis.  The Budapest Research Forum has published its quarterly industrial market analysis.

Prologis has signed two new lease agreements totalling 15,750 square metres at Prologis Park Teresin.

CA Immo has concluded an agreement with WOOD & Company to sell the Šestka Shopping Center in Prague, continuing its strategic withdrawal from segments that do not belong to the core business. The centre covers more than 27,300 sqm of retail space and had been part of the asset portfolio of CA Immo since 2011. The buyer is a fund of WOOD & Company, the leading investment bank in Emerging Europe. The transaction, which is subject to the standard conditions precedent, is expected to be closed within the next weeks. It was agreed not to disclose the purchase price. Law firm Clifford Chance Prague advised the seller on the disposal.

The vacancy rate has increased for the first time in two years on the Budapest office market in Q3 2016. Still, net absorption reached a positive volume, reflecting a healthy market environment. The Budapest Research Forum has published its quarterly office market analysis.