Stannah Stairlifts Limited, which has been helping disabled people to remain independent for more than 150 years and is a world market leader in the supply of stair lifts, moved in March to larger production premises in CTPark Brno Líšeň, where it leases more than 6,000 sqm. This is not the end of the expansion, however, as the company plans to move all their European rail production to Brno in the coming year, in order to provide faster and more flexible deliveries to European customers.

Emma Toma, Head of Office Division at AFI Europe Romania, talked to Property Forum about the company’s investment plans in the office, retail and residential areas, as well as the solutions implemented in all projects in the area of sustainability.

Accolade Group has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in the Karlovarská Business Park complex near Prague Airport from Czech real estate fund Conseq realitní. Accolade is now 100% the owner of this complex. Both parties have decided not to disclose the amount of the transaction, which was brokered by CBRE.

Construction of one of the largest logistics projects in Croatia is entering its next phase. Development company RC Europe Group from the Czech Republic has started construction work on the RC Zone Samobor project in the Bobovica economic zone. The total land area of 170,000 sqm will feature an 86,000 sqm warehouse facility intended for leasing. In line with the tenants’ requirements, the space in the future logistics park can be used for storage, production, or office operations.

UDI Group has opened the fully completed Sázava Logistics Park on the D1 motorway near Ostředek in the Central Bohemia Region. The construction of the complex, which offers 50,000 sqm of space, required an investment of CZK 1 billion (€42 million). Approximately 300 employees have found work in four plants. The group is currently building another similar facility, which will offer 130,000 sqm of space in three halls. The investment is worth CZK 3 billion (€126 million).

Due to the increase in prices of electricity, utilities, services and minimum wage, as well as local taxes and fees, experts from Avison Young Poland are experiencing significant increases in operating costs in office buildings this year. In Warsaw, depending on the class of the property and the components of the operating costs, they have observed an increase ranging from 15% to as much as 30-40%. Tenants are now paying particular attention to the components of the settlement that may vary depending on the building, as well as technological solutions that allow for reducing utility consumption.

Panattoni has launched construction work on Wrocław Campus – its largest project in Lower Silesia – where it has already delivered 185,000 sqm. The developer has just begun the development of a 30,000 sqm building. Upon its completion in Q1 2024, the construction of a further 130,000 sqm is planned. The development costs for the two new buildings come to €116 million.

In March-April 2023, the Ukrainian Real Estate Club conducted a survey of almost 100 representatives of Ukrainian companies that continue to operate in the market and do business during the war. Of course, all market participants, regardless of their region of operation, felt the negative economic consequences. Despite this, the market is rather optimistic and proactive, as evidenced by the survey results, Olga Solovei (URE Club) reports for Property Forum.

Prologis wants to help customers run their warehouses more efficiently and compete better. Therefore, it is launching Essentials, a new platform that aims to simplify the lives of companies, increase the efficiency of their warehouse operations and ultimately contribute to more functional global supply chains.

There is growing interest in mixed-use projects in the Czech Republic. These are spaces that combine offices, shops, housing, and various forms of social activities. Unfortunately, the construction of such spaces in the Czech Republic still lags behind that in neighbouring countries. The main reason for this is the very long building permitting processes. In Poland, for example, it takes only a few months to get a building permit, whereas here it usually takes years.