Will the non-functioning office buildings and shopping centers be taken over by residential buildings? Arguments for and against this measure are listed by Piotr Łopusiński, Associate Director, Investment at Avison Young Poland.

Poland, which is the fifth largest warehousing market in the EU, has the opportunity to take over a significant share of the investment and production and logistics processes moving from Asia.

Despite the dwindling economy in Europe, the logistics market in CEE countries has still a bright future ahead, claimed the participants of the logistics panel at CEE Property Forum 2022 in Vienna.

Iulius Town Timișoara has reached 80,000 sqm of premium office space accommodating 40-plus companies from three continents upon opening United Business Center 0, the fourth office building in the complex. 

Retail parks and convenience centers emerged as the most resilient retail sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, with customers putting an emphasis on quick and efficient shopping. The development of the Polish retail market continues apace, with the retail park format taking the lead in terms of stock expansion. In H1 2022, developers completed 183,200 sqm of GLA of new retail space, 66% of which was delivered in the form of retail parks and convenience centers dedicated to everyday, quick shopping. However, another 341,700 sqm of GLA is expected to enter the market by the end of 2022, with retail parks accounting for 53% of this total. 2022 could well be another record-breaking year for this segment in terms of space delivered to the market.

Two years after the start of construction, Skanska has completed works on the P180 office building, located at the Wilanowska metro station. The building received an occupancy permit, which means that the Warsaw office market has gained an additional 32,000 sqm of office space. IT specialists from the international Netcompany moved into the newly commissioned office building, which offers the tenant 6,000 sqm of space.

Savills has announced the acquisition of Knight Frank’s commercial property and asset management team in Poland. Under the agreement, 35 employees have joined Savills and its Polish property management portfolio has surpassed 1,200,000 sqm.

US-owned Bucharest Properties REIT has appointed real estate consultancy Colliers to provide full corporate leasing services for Vitan Estates, Bucharest's first residential development exclusively for rental.

Property developer STC Partners has obtained the building permit for both phases of the Quartier Azuga residential complex, along with the Green Homes pre-certification and will start construction works for the first phase this autumn. 

Chinese, German and Dutch buyers remain active in the residential market in Hungary, especially in Budapest and some popular touristic regions. The weakening local currency makes homes even more attractive to invest in. Property Forum talked to László Balogh, Chief Economist at ingatlan.com, Hungary’s largest listing platform, about the latest trends and the possible new wave of foreign buyers coming to the country.