Climate change presents new challenges for the real estate sector but also an opportunity to get ahead of the competition. The topic was discussed at Balkans Property Forum 2021, Property Forum’s annual event in Belgrade.

Despite almost all European office employees working from home last year, the empty workplaces did not lead to a reduction in the expenditure that companies had to fulfil had the workforce been in the office. The average costs per FTE (Full-Time Equivalent) fell by only 2% and amounted to €9,468. These findings have been published by Colliers, Occupier Cost Index (OCI), which comprises data from 29 countries, 3,990 buildings, 26.1 million square meters of office space and 1.96 million FTEs.

Immofinanz's results of operations rose by nearly 60% year-on-year to €180.4 million in Q1-Q3 2021 and even substantially exceeded the comparable 2019 pre-crisis level (+29% versus Q1–3 2019). Net profit turned clearly positive at €295.7 million and also surpassed the pre-crisis level in 2019 (Q1–3 2019: €202.6 million).

The total volume of real estate investments in the Czech Republic reached €328 million in the third quarter of 2021, being 24% below the previous quarter but 8% up year-on-year, according to Savills latest report.

The Warimpex Group achieved a solid operational performance in the first three quarters of 2021. The hotel segment in particular recovered versus the previous year and there are also successes to report on the office and development side, with two new lease agreements and the start of construction on a property. The Group’s result for the period improved from a loss of €31.2 million to a gain of €2.5 million. The result for the third quarter alone also climbed into positive territory, rising from minus €9.4 million to €0.8 million.

Investment market experts in the Czech Republic are concerned about the potential effects of high inflation and rising interest rates on the market. At the same time, they remain highly optimistic about the future of logistics and keep ESG at the top of their agenda, according to a recent panel discussion at Prague Property Forum 2021, moderated by Jaroslav Kaizr MRICS, Expert Director of the MBARE programme at VŠE.

Real estate consultancy Avison Young has launched the X Factor, a guide for companies looking at the best way to attract and retain top talent for today’s evolving expectations of the workplace. 

The Management Board and Supervisory Board of CA Immo have decided to start evaluating all strategic options for the core market of Romania, including a potential sale of the entire portfolio. The company published its interim results for Q1-Q3 2021.

The appearance and functionality of a building’s reception area is in many cases the first impression of a company that potential clients and business partners will see. Do you remember the lobbies that truly impressed you? In the same way, you probably haven't forgotten those that did exactly the opposite. Smart systems in the reception area can enhance a positive experience, solve several problems and improve collaboration across departments. Can your receptionist do that too? Katarína Karmažinová, PR Manager at Colliers in the Czech Republic asks the question.

The Polish star is shining brightly on the European map of private student housing investments with rising rents on the horizon, said speakers during a discussion panel at Living Investment Forum 2021 in Warsaw, moderated by Martin Varga, Head of Real Estate Business Development at Bonard.