Is the lockdown completely rewriting CEE's risk map? How does COVID-19 affect real estate financing? How can I close an ongoing transaction without travelling? These and similar questions were discussed by the experts at Property Forum’s latest online investment panel.

7R, a Polish warehouse developer, is implementing new technology to manage the risks connected with flat roofs. The "Smart Roof" platform, developed by Sense Monitoring, helps to prevent roof overload by alerting the building's manager in advance of potential danger. 7R will apply the system in the 7R Park Gdańsk II logistics complex in Kowale, where a monitored roof will cover over 60,000 sqm of modern warehouse space.

Construction work on Villa Offices, the highest commercial building in Warsaw Brewery mixed-use complex, has been completed by developer Echo Investment. WeWork will soon open its headquarters in the new office building.

Romanian developer One United Properties has completed the structure of its One Herăstrău Towers mixed-use project, which will include 139 residential units, in addition to offices and commercial space on 5,055 sqm. The project is 85% pre-contracted ahead its completion planned before the end of the year.

Bucharest and the major university centres in Romania, such as Cluj-Napoca, Timişoara, Iaşi, Braşov or Craiova, are well-positioned to attract new business in the services sector, despite the Covid-19 pandemic that slowed down the transactional activity and led companies to work from home, according to Cushman & Wakefield Echinox.

In Q1 2020, approximately 50,000 sqm of modern retail space was delivered to the market in Poland. The construction of four schemes was completed: Galeria Chełm (17,500 sqm), Stop Shop Siedlce (14,100 sqm), Galeria Kupiecka in Otwock (10,000 sqm) and Vendo Park Jawor (6,700 sqm). However, due to the onset of the coronavirus epidemic, the new shopping centres have limited possibilities to serve consumers, in the same as all large retails facilities in Poland.

Interest in investments in the private student housing sector in Poland is constantly growing. Investors see this market as highly absorptive, which currently satisfies less than 10% of the demand for student accommodation. Significant advantages include forecasts concerning the constantly growing number of foreign students in Poland and attractive rates of return on investment, according to a new report prepared by ThinkCo in cooperation with Golub GetHouse.

Property Forum’s series of virtual events, organised in partnership with the RICS, continues with an online panel discussion focused on residential asset classes such as student housing and build-to-rent. Our diverse group of panellists will answer all the burning questions that may arise in this unprecedented situation.

Cordia International raised its stake in Polnord S.A. to 92.92% in a tender offer. Following the transaction, the shareholders elected a new supervisory board with representatives from Cordia.

This year’s first quarter on Poland’s regional office markets was marked by a high level of activity from tenants in the IT sector. The next few months may bring acceleration in activity from companies in the business services sector. JLL summarised the situation on the Polish office market at the end of Q1 2020.