iO Partners, JLL Preferred Partner, continues to strengthen its cross-border capabilities in Central and East Europe with a new regional structure to support its market leading Industrial & Logistics business.

Romania attracted around €1.2 billion worth of foreign direct investment (FDI) from real estate and construction companies during 2022, accounting for 17.2% of the total investment volume recorded in the country, according to central bank data analyzed by Cushman & Wakefield Echinox. 

The condition of the housing markets in Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia remains good, but high interest rates have reduced the availability of mortgages, which has affected the demand for flats. Poland has broken out of this pattern, where, despite high financing costs, developers are breaking sales records. However, all these countries have one thing in common - the low activity of players in the PRS market, whose offer could be an effective response to the low creditworthiness of buyers. These are just some of the conclusions reached by the participants of the residential panel at CEE Property Forum 2023, which was organised in Vienna in September.

In a strategic move to strengthen its presence in the Croatian real estate market, ALFI Real Estate Fund (ALFI RE) recently added another gem to its investment portfolio. The acquisition of the Matrix B office building in Zagreb's bustling business district marks a significant milestone for the Fund, propelling its real estate portfolio value to over €100 million.

Cushman & Wakefield has released a summary of retail market conditions in Poland. Approximately 200,000 sqm is likely to be added to the market by the end of this year. Most of that total will be delivered in retail parks that account for 77% of the development pipeline, which will be consistent with the trend seen in recent years. Rental rates are on an upward year-on-year trajectory while the average vacancy rate in the largest Polish cities has dipped by 1.2 pp year-on-year. 

Introducing the first of its kind, RICS World Built Environment Forum – Europe is taking place at the Procuratie Vecchie in Venice on 19-20 October 2023. At this two-day forum, organised by RICS in collaboration with Generali Real Estate, over a hundred professionals from across the region are taking part, offering a unique opportunity to network, collaborate and exchange industry best practices. Property Forum is proud to be joining the event as a Media Partner and readers have the chance to secure tickets with a 10% discount using the WBEFPF code.

A new hotel representing a special brand from Accor Group is to open at Ferenc Liszt International Airport, developed by Wing, in cooperation with Budapest Airport, the developer announced. The handover is expected in 2025.

Czechs will be forced to change their priorities regarding rental housing, as macroeconomic indicators and developments in Western European countries suggest, says in an interview for Property Forum Jiří Vajner, CEO of Creditas Real Estate, a company that wants to become a leader in the Czech rental real estate market. 

Garanti BBVA bank has extended its lease in YUNITY Park project for the next five years, maintaining its 7,200 sqm HQ in the building owned by Genesis Property. With the recent transaction, the lender will reach 20 years of constant presence in the same business campus. 

Eshel Pesti has assumed the position of the new CEO of G City Europe. Or Ackerman will be the new Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO).