The outlook for Central and Eastern European markets is still positive according to the RICS Commercial Property Monitor. Results for Q3 2017 show that both occupier and investment demand are still on the rise across the region. The peak of the current cycle is, however, undoubtedly getting closer.

Noerr has advised IDI Gazeley on the sale of its European division. In October Global Logistic Properties (GLP), Asia’s biggest warehouse operator, entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Gazeley, a premier developer, owner and operator of modern logistics facilities in Europe for approximately €2.4 billion.

Although demand slightly decreased on the Prague office market in Q3 2017, the vacancy rate further declined to its current level of 7.7%, JLL reports.

Panattoni Europe has completed stage one in the construction of a distribution centre for Castorama Polska. The developer has delivered 50,000 sqm out of 100,000 planned. One of the largest investments in Poland is going up in Stryków and it will provide logistics support which will enable the leading DIY/home improvement chain in Poland to go further towards fulfilling its fundamental commitment to customers – to provide them with the best possible product availability at attractive prices. The official opening of this section of the facility took place on 16 November 2017.

Atenor announced the forward sale of the fourth building on the Váci Greens complex in Budapest to a Hungarian private fund. Building D comprises 14,145 sqm of office space, 1,502 sqm of commercial units and underground parking for 260 vehicles. Scheduled for completion by the beginning of 2018, the building is already partially (25%) leased to Unilever and to retail traders. The purchase price is estimated to be around €44 million.

Soaring rents have seen London’s New Bond Street rise to become the world’s third most expensive retail street, while New York’s Upper 5th Avenue and Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay retain their first and second place rankings, according to Cushman & Wakefield. Prague’s Na Příkopě Street has improved its position from last year’s 23rd to the current 22nd in a chart of the 68 most expensive high streets.

A new Class A office building in Budapest’s CBD is to be delivered this year. The former electrical transformer building will comprise 2,630 sqm of modern office space on five floors. According to the developer, Markó Irodák 9 (MI9) is tailored to meet the requirements of creative workshops, start-up companies and other undertakings taking an up-to-date approach in general.

Continuing the ownership consolidation program started two years ago, Peter Munk, a Canadian businessman, was bought out of Granit Polus. In the new ownership structure, Sándor Demján and his direct management are the majority owners of the group of companies. Sándor Csányi remained as minority owner.

River Development, part of Romanian SEMA Group, has announced the start of the construction works for The Light office building located in Politehnica area, on the grounds of the former Pumac factory in Bucharest. The building will have a gross leasable area of 21,000 square meters and will be delivered in the first quarter of 2018 following an investment of around € 33.5 million.

HB Reavis is simultaneously developing three buildings on the largest construction site in Warsaw city centre. The works on the diaphragm walls that will envelop the future basement storeys are nearing completion and a viewing platform has been opened for pedestrians to come and admire the spectacular excavation in progress.