Arcadis published the annual results of the international construction costs comparison (International Construction Costs 2020). Arcadis ICC Index 2020 monitors 100 cities around the world, assessing their construction costs and market conditions. This year's study also includes an insight into the construction industry in view of the current coronavirus pandemic and the ongoing climate change. According to the ICC Index 2020, Prague has higher construction costs in the CEE region than Warsaw (Poland), Belgrade (Serbia), Bucharest (Romania) and Sofia (Bulgaria), but lower than Zagreb (Croatia).  

Panattoni is extending a production plant making specialised telecommunications systems at Panattoni Park Szczecin I. Next to the existing 32,000 sqm, the developer will build a further 24,000 sqm. As a result, this June the logistics and industrial complex will be 80 percent completed, and by year-end Panattoni intends to embark on the construction of the final 42,000 sqm phase of the park, completing the entire project planned to total 220,700 sqm.

Romanian residential developer One United Properties is moving ahead with three new projects in Bucharest.

CBRE has announced the appointment of Katarína Brydone as Head of Investment Properties of CBRE in the Czech Republic effective 1 June 2020. Katarína Brydone succeeds Chris Sheils who spent four successful years in this position and has taken the decision to leave the business following Clare Sheils’ promotion to Managing Director of CBRE Czech Republic.

Generali Real Estate has acquired the Kotva department store in Prague for an undisclosed sum from Pražská Správa Nemovitostí (PSN) through its pan-European fund Generali Real Estate Asset Repositioning SA (GREAR).

Optimum Ventures Private Equity Fund (owned by Optima, the fund manager of the National Bank of Hungary's foundations) and an affiliate of Lone Star Funds (an American private equity firm) have entered into a conditional share purchase agreement, pursuant to which Optima will acquire a majority shareholding (61.49%) in Globe Trade Centre S.A., a Polish company trading on the Warsaw Stock Exchange and Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

Most CEE governments have already introduced measures aimed at helping employed people and struggling businesses amid the coronavirus outbreak. In most countries, at least half of the average wage will be taken over by the state, up to 80% or more in certain countries. Hungary is the only country in the region where no concrete measures have been announced yet. We looked at what workers of affected companies can expect across the region.

In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, Immofinanz has decided to reschedule the 27th Annual General Meeting (AGM) which was originally planned for 22 May 2020. The AGM will now be held on 1 October 2020 in Vienna. This change will also result in the postponement of the resolution on the use of profit for 2019 and a dividend payment.

JLL and CBRE have been selected by Immobel Poland as agents responsible for the commercialization process of Central Point in Warsaw. The investment is being built on the corner of Marszałkowska and Świętokrzyska Streets and above an intersection of the two metro lines of Warsaw.

Property Forum’s next virtual event will take a closer look at the immediate and long-term effects of the coronavirus lockdown of real estate financing in CEE. Hear the economic outlook of Commerzbank’s Senior EM Strategist and listen to the discussion of influential bankers. Participants will also have the chance to ask questions and share their personal experiences.