Anna Duchnowska, Head of Asset Management Europe at Invesco Real Estate talked to Property Forum about investing in property in the times of pandemic, the new segmentation of the real estate market and likely changes in financing conditions.

There is currently a shortage of industrial and logistics space on the Czech market, in addition to a lack of land suitable for their construction. This is mainly due to growing demand and the fact that local governments aren’t motivated by tax benefits to allow their construction. The situation is most evident in the vicinity of large cities, and also affects the growth of rent levels. Moreover, it has also caused a new trend in the form of the extension of rent contracts. The first new projects of over 20,000 sqm can only be expected in the second half of 2022. 

The highest ever 5.2 million sqm of warehouse space was leased in 2020 as a result of significant changes in consumer behaviour in this exceptional year. The industrial and logistics sector was the fastest to adapt to the new requirements linked with the COVID-19 pandemic, quickly adopting supply chains and ensuring health and safety to workers and customers. 2020 was also the year of rapid growth of all segments related to the e-commerce sector. In the coming years, e-commerce will set the pace of development for the entire warehouse market in Poland. AXI IMMO presents their report Polish Industrial & Logistics Market in 2020.

Online shopping is continuing to grow in the European Union. With high street shopping affected by the COVID-19 restrictions and changes in habits and preferences, e-commerce can be expected to grow further. Data realised by Eurostat reveals that over the last five years, the largest increases in online shopping among internet users were recorded in CEE countries.

The topic of sustainability has become one of the most important megatrends of our time. Sustainable construction is also becoming increasingly important in the hotel real estate market, leading to an increase in demand for corresponding certificates in Austria, according to Christie & Co.

Romanian developer Prima Development Group announces the expansion on the residential market in Bucharest with three new projects, after this year it will deliver 640 apartments in the capital city and Oradea. The new projects will bring an additional 2,500 new homes to the market.

The impact of COVID-19 on the purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) sector has been less severe than expected, proving the resilience of the asset class, as shown in Bonard’s annual report.

According to JLL, the value of real estate investment transactions in Central and Eastern Europe totalled more than €9.7 billion in 2020. Poland with €5.6 billion continued its dominance among CEE countries, with the Czech Republic in second place with €1.5 billion (after excluding the Residomo deal of €1.3 billion). Total volumes in Hungary amounted to €1.25 billion, while in Romania and Slovakia total value hit €900 and €525 million respectively.

In the fourth quarter of 2020, seasonally adjusted GDP decreased by 0.6% in the euro area and by 0.4% in the EU, compared with the previous quarter, according to a flash estimate published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. These declines follow a strong rebound in the third quarter of 2020 (+12.4% in the euro area and +11.5% in the EU) and the sharpest decreases since the time series started in 1995 observed in the second quarter of 2020 (-11.7% in the euro area and -11.4% in the EU). According to the first estimation of annual growth for 2020, based on seasonally and calendar adjusted quarterly data, GDP fell by 6.8% in the euro area and 6.4% in the EU.

Bucharest – the skyline transformation by 2025, an exclusive investment/destination marketing oriented real estate digital tour, for optimism and perspective after a traumatic year (2020), is out now, published by Romania's Real Estate Yearbook 2020.