The current economic downturn may result in more mergers and acquisitions in most of the CEE countries. Owners of some hotels and retail centres may divest their assets to minimize loss. Property Forum asked Csaba Polacsek, Partner, Advisory Services at PwC Hungary about the mood of the possible buyers and the remaining risks in the coming years.

Katarzyna Zawodna-Bijoch, President and CEO of Skanska’s commercial development business unit in CEE has talked to Property Forum about the changing role of offices, skyrocketing energy prices and the incoming supply gap in the Polish office market.

Some players in the Hungarian commercial property sector have made significant steps to transform the industry, but the majority have failed to do so. Property Forum asked Zsombor Barta, President of the Hungary Green Building Council (HuGBC) about the way the entire industry should act to reach net zero as adopted by the European Union.

Some developers forecast that sales prices will increase in the future purely as a result of the zero-emission requirements currently being placed on buildings but there is no consensus as to what the ultimate effect will be. Robert David, Partner and Tomáš Kren, Senior Associate at Wolf Theiss’ Prague office talked to Property Forum about the increasingly important role ESG compliance plays in real estate transactions and potential regulatory changes that can affect the market.

The Managing Director of JLL Czech Republic expects a fairly quiet year in 2023 in the investment market. But in the industrial market, next year should be a strong one due to continued steady demand, says Andrew Peirson in an interview with Property Forum.

As we are seeing a slowing down of new office projects across Budapest and the region, occupancy has emerged as ‘king’, while energy efficiency has become the number one priority for both landlords and tenants. Property Forum asked Jake Lodge, Principal at Avison Young in Hungary about his view on the major changes in the local office market and the way landlords and tenants try to overcome mounting difficulties.

Czech investor Investika has quickly become one of the largest players in the local market and has already expanded internationally. The company is currently preparing two transactions in Warsaw and has its sights set on other EU countries, says Petr Čížek, CEO of Investika, in an interview with Property Forum.

Bidrento is an Estonian-based developer of software for landlords and property management companies to easily manage residential rentals, co-living, student housing and commercial real estate portfolios. Taavo Annus, CEO of the company talked to Property Forum about the latest trends in proptech development, war-related challenges and plans for the new year.

Ana Nekhamkin, Vice President of Real Estate and Projects and Michał Kwinta, City Lead Poland at Mindspace talked to Property Forum about their second office in Warsaw, the development of the flex office sector and the potential effects of high inflation.

Angelika Cieślowska, President of the Management Board of KB DORACO, one of the largest Polish construction companies, talked to Property Forum about the impact of the war in Ukraine on the construction industry, high prices of energy and raw materials and the possible scenarios of market development.