Steffen Szeidl, CEO of Drees & Sommer, spoke with Property Forum at Expo Real about the challenges of property development and the potential for business growth in Europe. He cites the electrification of the economy and the upgrade of the existing stock of buildings as new growth avenues for Europe.

Hungary's office market has slowed down, tenants are more cautious. Sadly, it often results in drawn-out decision-making as tenants focus on safe solutions, fearing the unpredictability of the future. In consequence, there are more renewals and fewer relocations. However, demand for experienced advisors providing high-added value is ever-growing, as the alternative – rectifying a poor lease contract after it is signed – is difficult and expensive, says Valter Kalaus, Managing Partner of Newmark VLK Hungary.

On the financing side, there is still demand for lending towards logistics. Maarten Otte, Head of Investor Relations at CTP, talked to Property Forum at Expo Real about financing conditions and the developer’s ambitious plans for the future.

Austrian developers and construction companies show a good example of how to realise truly sustainable buildings. Green residential projects are not a goal, but practice in Austria, says Rudolf Riedl, Managing Director of SÜBA Hungary who also shared his opinion on the shortcomings of the Hungarian real estate market.

Czechs will be forced to change their priorities regarding rental housing, as macroeconomic indicators and developments in Western European countries suggest, says in an interview for Property Forum Jiří Vajner, CEO of Creditas Real Estate, a company that wants to become a leader in the Czech rental real estate market. 

Despite rising operating costs, high inflation, and uncertainties related to events such as the conflict in Ukraine, Central and Eastern European markets continue to be attractive compared to Western Europe. Daniel Bienias, Managing Director in CEE at CBRE, talked to Property Forum about investment trends and the future of the advisory business in the region and beyond.

Real estate investments are a great protection against inflation, especially compared to alternative asset classes. Michael Wagenhofer, Head of Capital Markets at Arnold Investments talked to Property Forum about investment trends.

How long will the cooling off in the investment market last? What are the main factors currently shaping demand? Which projects will banks lend money for today? In an interview with Property Forum, BNP Paribas Real Estate experts Małgorzata Fibakiewicz and Tomasz Arent summarised the current situation in the retail and warehouse sectors in Poland.

Marcin Malka, President of the Management Board of Real Management talked to Property Forum about competing with bigger players, the situation on the investment market in Poland and the lack of plots for new projects.

While net industrial take-up is down compared to 12-18 months ago, we are seeing a large uptick in enquiries across CEE for strategic production spaces across the automotive, pharmaceuticals, and electric vehicle battery production sectors. James Fitzgerald, Director, Head of Industrial Agency at iO Partners Czechia talked to Property Forum about the main drivers of the CEE industrial market.