Czech businessman Radovan Vítek has amassed a fortune estimated at around €4.1 billion while increasing his influence in the European property sector. Vítek holds firm control of CPI Property Group, the company he founded with assets topping €11 billion and has gradually built majority stakes in Globalworth and Immofinanz, both competing groups in Central and Eastern Europe. By purchasing controlling participations in these companies, Vítek could build his property investment empire across CEE to the tune of around €20 billion and 7 million sqm of developed space, covering every country and asset class in the region. This story is a prime example of the rise and strength of local capital in CEE, in addition to the gradual decline of influence held by Austrian companies over the region.

Around 100,000 sqm of new retail spaces should be completed during 2022 in Romania, of which more than 80% are located in retail parks, according to a report by real estate consultancy Cushman & Wakefield Echinox. 

Property developer Alesonor has signed a partnership with Holcim Romania Group for the supply of innovative construction materials that will be used in the Amber Forest suburb near Bucharest. 

Apollo Rida has extended its cooperation with Savills and appointed the firm as its sole leasing agent for office space in Jerozolimskie Business Park in Warsaw.

Panattoni has begun constructing 8,700 sqm for InPost within the Central European Logistics Hub in Łódź. In 2021 alone, Panattoni completed logistics centres of nearly 100,000 sqm for InPost within eleven locations. Due to Panattoni’s completed projects both within city limits and on their borders, the end consumer receives quicker service including in small towns.

HelloParks, a member of Futureal Group, has already handed over its first 46,000 sqm warehouse in Maglód which is operating with more than 80% occupancy. Preparations for the next 45,000 sqm phase (MG3) have begun. The new building is planned to be handed over in Q4 2022

KGAL Investment Management GmbH & Co. KG has acquired the Fuzja Office I building in Łódź with around 22,000 square meters of rental space on behalf of a pan-European special AIF. The property is certified with the first-class sustainability rating "BREEAM Excellent" and is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2022. The seller of Fuzja Office I is Echo Investment S.A., one of the largest listed Polish property developers.

Brno-based investment group Portiva has acquired the SmíchOFF office building in Prague from Penta Real Estate for more than CZK 1 billion, the new owner announced on its website. The acquisition of the premium LEED Gold-certified commercial property represents another step for Portiva Group in fulfilling its vision of growth through a balanced mix of quality acquisitions.

Panattoni has announced the official opening of a new logistics centre for Action in Bieruń near Tychy. The 60,800 sqm facility has been built as a BTS project and in record time. The project has been BREEAM certified at the ‘Excellent’ level, obtaining the highest score so far at this level among Polish facilities in this category (77.1%). Ultimately, more than 200 people will be employed in the facility.

According to a report published by BNP Paribas Real Estate Poland, around 715,000 sqm of modern office space was under construction within Poland’s eight largest markets at the end of 2021. Experts also note the further strengthening of the hybrid work model, the increasing popularity of various forms of flexible office working, and the growing importance of ESG solutions. An important factor shaping the market in the nearest future will be the rising costs of living, which will ultimately mean higher base rents and increased service charges.