Czech-based investment and real estate group Arete has announced the acquisition of a major logistics park in western Poland. The seller was a joint venture of Panattoni Europe and Kajima Properties. The price has not been disclosed. With this move, Arete expands its operations beyond the Czech Republic and Slovakia, entering the Polish market. This acquisition strengthens the portfolio of the Arete Industrial fund, increasing its total leasable area by 25% and raising the value of assets under management to over €300 million.

In 6-12 months, investors will return to the real estate market in Poland. The desirable assets will be data centres and products of the living sector, including PRS and PBSA - these were the conclusions reached by the participants of the panel on collaborative and alternative investment strategies at this week’s CEE Property Financing Update 2024 conference in Warsaw. The event was organised by Property Forum and hosted by law firm CMS.

Immofinanz Group is acquiring a further 28,241,094 shares in S Immo from its core shareholder CPI Property Group, thus increasing its stake in S Immo to around 89%.

Panattoni announced the launch of a pan-European fund that will invest in sustainable, income-producing logistics properties. The Panattoni Income Fund is domiciled in Luxembourg and has an open-ended structure. It is aiming to raise €300 million of equity by 2026 and acquire €600 million of assets, developed and managed by Panattoni. Panattoni’s owners and management team will be co-investing.

Żabka Group has revealed plans for an initial public offering (IPO) without issuing new shares, preparing for its debut on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE). The company’s majority shareholder, CVC Capital Partners, confirmed it will remain a shareholder following the IPO. It may be one of Poland's largest initial public offerings in the last decade.

The Reico ČS Nemovitostní (RČSN) fund is expanding its investment portfolio. To its commercial real estate portfolio the fund is now adding the first residential rental housing project. 

Romanian construction group IBB Holding will issue euro-denominated bonds and list them on the Bucharest Stock Exchange, following a decision of its shareholders. 

Nepi Rockcastle is in negotiations to acquire Magnolia Park, a shopping centre located in Wroclaw, Poland from Union Investment Real Estate. The property features 100,000 sqm GLA. The potential acquisition remains subject to the execution of formal written agreements, which is expected to occur in the coming weeks.

Greykite European Real Estate Fund has commenced its deployment programme with the acquisition of a major logistics portfolio in Poland. Comprising three properties in Warsaw, Stryków and Gliwice, the portfolio will form the initial investment in a new €300 million joint venture with White Star Real Estate, a Central Europe-focused real estate developer and manager. White Star, the minority JV partner, developed the properties and will continue in its role as asset and property manager.

After Q1 2024, which saw the weakest transaction volume in years (€364 million), Polish capital led the way in commercial property investments, accounting for 25% of the total volume. Notably, the volume of investments by Polish capital in the first half of the year was double that of the previous year. For reference, the average share of Polish capital in the market from 2018 to 2022 was just around 2%, says Artur Czuba, Associate Director, Investment at Avison Young.