Previous optimism over the prospect of the construction market in the Southeast European region is gone, the Eastern European Construction Forecasting Association (EECFA) reports. The current forecast is foreshadowing almost no growth until 2023 and contraction in 2024. The main reason behind is the worsening climate for construction due to the consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Marcin Michalec, CEO of OKAM Capital talked to Property Forum about the current situation in the residential market in Poland, plans of a large mixed-use investment in Warsaw and shared his forecasts for the PRS sector.

Propco, a developer focused on small warehouse facilities, has finalised a property development deal for DPD Polska Sp. z o.o. The BTS facility will be built in Boleslawiec, and will provide a total of 2,500 sqm of cross-dock space. It is the first project carried out for DPD Polska as part of a development programme of regional small-format last-mile logistics facilities. Construction of the facility has already begun, while the space is scheduled to be handed over to the tenant for use at the turn of 2022/2023.

Property developer Speedwell has received the BREEAM Excellent certification for its Miro office project based in northern Bucharest. 

GTV, an international distributor of furniture accessories and LED lighting, has signed a lease for another 32,000 sqm of space at MLP Pruszków II. The company is already occupying 20,300 sqm at the logistics centre. The new building is to be handed over to the tenant next April. The transaction was brokered through AXI IMMO, a real estate advisory firm.

Investors and clients in Poland are focusing on local shopping centres, says advisory firm Walter Herz. 

Skanska will invest CZK 970 million in the first phase of the brownfield residential project Modřanský cukrovar. On the right bank of the river Vltava, 112 apartments and seven commercial premises within the area of 10,500 sqm will be built. After six phases of the project, there will be 797 housing units, Skanska announced on its website. 

Yitzhak Hagag, Co-Founder and Shareholder of Hagag Development Europe, talked to Property Forum about the expansion of the company's €300 million portfolio focused on residential and offices in Bucharest and the development plans for the emerging hotel division. The developer is looking to increase its presence across Romania and plans to expand in other European markets in the long term.

The listing value of commercial real estate properties such as shopping malls, office buildings and logistics centres could grow in the short and medium-term in Romania. The increase will be recorded in a volatile context generated by rising building material and utility prices, increasing inflation, as well as the border conflict and the effects of the pandemic, according to Colliers.

CEE-based flex office provider New Work has opened a new location in Prague. New Work Smichov Business Park offers fully furbished office space with up to 245 workstations in one of Prague’s most lively areas, with many offices and an outside terrace overlooking the Vyšehrad castle as well as beautiful green areas along the Vltava River.