The Romanian industrial and logistics market has grown remarkably, in as far as the intensity of both developments and national freight transport is concerned. According to Colliers International, the most active logistics hubs besides Bucharest are Constanta – the easternmost urban centre, Alba – located almost centrally and Timis – the most western county in Romania, as these four markets together account for almost a quarter of the national goods transported in Romania via roads.

Krakow’s office stock has increased by more than 15% over the year to more than 1.3 million sqm at the end of Q1 2019. According to “Occupier Economics: Office Market in Krakow Q1 2019”, a report published by m Cresa, the capital city of Lesser Poland continues to attract tenants and this trend is likely to carry on into the near future given the economic and cultural potential.

Orbis decided on the potential disposal of its service activity (asset light entity) and entered into exclusive negotiations with Accor - proceeding with the Company business model transformation.

Panellists of the CEE investment roundtable of Prague Property Forum 2019, led by Mike Atwell, Head of Capital Markets Czech Republic and Lead Director CEE at JLL discussed the key trends shaping the regional investment market. They agreed that the low interest rate environment is probably here to say but it's very difficult to say for how long.

Element Industrial announced the development of a 60,000 sqm logistics park in the Romanian city of Craiova. The company will build the €35 million industrial project on an 11-hectare plot of land, near the south ring road of the city, with direct access to the E70 road. The developer plans to deliver ELI PARK Craiova in three phases.

P3 has announced the signing multiannual contract with PepsiCo for the lease of 58,470 sqm of modern warehouse and office space at P3 Mszczonów park. This will be the largest PepsiCo facility in Poland forming concern’s distribution network and operating as a central warehouse. JLL represented the client in this lease transaction.

Medici Living Group, a provider of co-living space in Europe and the US, is expanding into Poland. The company has appointed Renata Kusznierska as Director Expansion Poland. Based in Warsaw, she will be spearheading the group’s expansion and roll-out of the Quarters co-living brand in the region. She will identify locations and secure buildings, with an initial focus on Warsaw and Krakow. Other cities are to follow once a foothold has been established.

Europa Capital has completed a comprehensive refurbishment of Warsaw’s Radisson Blu Centrum Hotel, which has now reopened as a five star Radisson Collection branded hotel.

Urban space in the twentieth century belonged to cars. In the 21st century, it has been reclaimed by people – this is how current urban trends can be summarised. Inward development, the narrowing of streets to expand space for pedestrians, the building of a dense network of cycle lanes and strengthening the role of public transport are some of the measures taken in modern cities to improve the lives of residents. Colliers International, in cooperation with ULI, published an expert article on current urban trends

One of the leading investment advisors of the region is seeing increased activity in Slovakia and Romania and expects further yield compression on these markets. Mike Atwell, Head of Capital Markets CEE and Czech Republic at JLL shared his thoughts on new investments, changing market trends and technology.