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.

In December 2021, the construction output increased by 8.1%, year-on-year (y-o-y), in real terms. In the month-on-month (m-o-m) comparison, it was 1.8% higher. December was, in terms of year-on-year indices, the most successful month of 2021 too. The planning and building control authorities granted 8.3% more building permits, y-o-y. The approximate value of permitted constructions increased by 52.8%, y-o-y. The number of started dwellings increased by 120.8%, y-o-y. The number of completed dwellings decreased by 18.7%, y-o-y, the Czech Statistical Office (CZSO) announced in a report.

Patrizia has divested a portfolio of three Warsaw offices totalling c. 15,400 sqm to VIG FUND a.s., a real estate vehicle of Vienna Insurance Group - one of the largest international insurance groups in Central and Eastern Europe. The price remains undisclosed.

Slovak developer Corwin, the company behind the Kvartet residential neighbourhood and the recently unveiled Vilharia project, together with Hartenberg, a Prague-based company focused on investments in Central Europe, have acquired two substantial land plots in the prime locations within the inner city.

Occupancy levels in purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) have on average reached pre-pandemic figures in many countries, a new study released by market research and advisory specialist Bonard shows.

Clients interested in new industrial premises in the Czech Republic had very little to choose from last year. Thanks to record demand, which reached a record 2.39 million sqm in gross terms for the whole year, vacancy rates fell to 1.63%, a historic low. The result was also affected by a lower volume of completed industrial properties, mainly due to the impact of anti-pandemic measures. However, this changed at the end of the year when a record 800,000 sqm of industrial space was under construction. The urgent need to meet tenants' enormous demand is also evidenced by the fact that the share of speculative development has once again increased after a longer period of inactivity, 108 Agency reported today.

Cushman & Wakefield expands its sustainability and ESG services. In the Central and Eastern European region, Tereza Jelínková will lead the coordination of Cushman & Wakefield’s sustainability teams.

Romanian developer One United Properties has completed the acquisition of the Bucharest-based Bucur shopping centre.