A total of 23 retail park projects with a total area of almost 55,000 sqm were completed in the Czech Republic last year, with the volume of development exceeding a ten-year average. In effect, the aggregate area of all retail parks in the Czech Republic has exceeded 1 million sqm. Retail park development currently focuses on smaller towns with up to 40,000 inhabitants. The greatest volume of new development was in the Central Bohemian Region last year, according to an analysis by Cushman & Wakefield.

In Q1 2021, industrial take-up on the Czech market registered an increase of 147% compared to the same quarter of the previous year. The Industrial Research Forum announced industrial market figures for Q1 2021.

Retail chain Penny Market will expand one of its three logistics centres in Hungary. The project, which is expected to be completed by August 2022, will add 30,000 sqm to the company's facility in Karcag, Eastern Hungary, increasing its storage capacity. Penny Market will also create new jobs through the one-year project.

Over the year, since the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in Poland, the Warsaw office market has seen a marked decrease in occupier demand and office stock under construction amid rising vacancy rates. Although the past 12 months have been challenging for the office sector, companies are no less keen to have an office of their own, says real estate advisory firm Savills.

Construction of two 95-metre Towarowa Towers located on Prosta Street in Warsaw's city centre is starting. It is another investment by Asbud Group near Daszyńskiego Roundabout.

Panattoni Europe has obtained an ‘Excellent’ rating under the BREEAM International New Construction system for Panattoni Park Sosnowiec I. This is the first time such a high certification level has been achieved on the Polish industrial real estate market for a newly built project.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has successfully subscribed to a €67 million ticket as part of an inaugural eight-year €600 million green bond issuance by VGP NV, a pan-European provider of logistics and semi-industrial real estate. EBRD’s investment will support the development of sustainable semi-industrial and logistics parks in Hungary, Latvia, Romania and the Slovak Republic.

The industrial and logistics market in Romania recorded leasing deals for around 200,000 sqm in the first quarter of 2021, a volume that is double compared to the same period of 2020, according to a report by real estate consultancy firm Cushman & Wakefield Echinox. 

Wood & Company, together with its JV partner Tatra Asset Management, has announced the acquisition of the Aupark Bratislava shopping centre in Slovakia from Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield. The completion of the transaction is expected during the first half of this year and is subject to standard conditions precedent, such as competition clearance.

Hungarian real estate developer Biggeorge Property is expanding its management team. The company's strategy for the next five years targets further substantial growth and the new managers were added to help achieve these goals, owner-CEO Tibor Nagygyörgy said.