The Arete investment and real estate group announced the opening of its third qualified investor fund, based in the Czech Republic and operating under the supervision of the Czech National Bank. This third fund is to follow on from the successful history of the preceding funds, with the first fund having been closed three years ago and investors paid off with a total gross appreciation of 120%, while the second fund has fulfilled its strategy with its current gross appreciation of over 90%. The new Arete fund will both invest into completed industrial real estate in Central and Eastern Europe and also itself construct new logistics and manufacturing buildings. Its portfolio target value should approach €500 million during the anticipated six-year investment cycle.

The maturity of the industrial real estate sector in Poland’s five largest markets does not necessarily mean limited investment opportunities for developers and tenants. The importance of smaller markets has been growing recently in Poland, which gives the possibility to expand into locations that were previously out of developers’ and tenants’ interests, according to JLL.

Panattoni has delivered its first Class A warehouse in Żory, Silesia. Nearly half out of the initial 36,500 sqm has already been leased out to first tenants. This February, cargo-partner spedycja sp. z o.o. is moving into the facility, to be followed by Piast Cargo and a tenant from the food industry in March. At full build-out, Panattoni Park Żory will total 84,000 sqm. The project is under construction in a strategic location in Southern Poland, close to the Czech border.

In reaction to increasing demand, CTP has announced the start of the construction of new areas in Trnava and entry into a completely new location, the city of Prešov.

In 2019, 7R commissioned 14 new warehouse facilities in 11 Polish markets. At the same time, the developer increased the level of leased space by almost 45%, successfully sold projects, established international strategic partnerships for the construction of further warehouses, and strengthened the team with the best industry professionals.

The stock of industrial and logistics space on the Romanian market has exceeded the 4 million sqm threshold, 90% of the total stock being concentrated in eight large cities from the southern, central and western parts of Romania, according to a new report by the Cushman & Wakefield Echinox.

Panattoni will soon start the construction of Panattoni Park Tricity South II. The first 25,000 sqm out of the 70,000 sqm planned will be available in August 2020.

2019 saw the completion of 8 Prologis buildings in CEE with a total area of 189 000 square meters, whereas development starts totalled 200,000 square meters. Prologis shared it 2019 results and achievements for Central Europe.

MLP Group has issued €30 million worth of bonds. The issue proceeds will be used to purchase land and implement projects to construct warehouses in Poland and abroad. On February 26th, the bonds will be introduced to trading on the Catalyst market.

In 2019, the Polish warehouse and industrial market witnessed a record supply amid an unwavering occupier demand despite the earlier fears of an economic slowdown, says real estate advisory firm Savills. Demand continues to be driven, among other factors, by e-commerce.