GTC reported rental and service revenue of €53 million in Q1 2026, up 7% from €50 million in Q1 2025, driven by 4% like-for-like growth in rental income. The increase was primarily supported by higher rents in Poland, particularly in shopping malls, as well as strong performance from properties in Sofia and Belgrade.

Rising borrowing costs and a more uncertain economic outlook have undoubtedly changed the way real estate projects are financed, but market participants suggested that access to debt remains relatively healthy for the right opportunities. The focus has shifted from chasing growth to assessing resilience, with lenders placing greater emphasis on cash flow, sector fundamentals and sponsor quality. These themes dominated the financing discussion at Prague Property Forum 2026.

The Czech commercial real estate market demonstrated calm and stability in the first quarter of 2026, with total investment volume reaching €431.5 million, according to Colliers. The share of individual asset classes was relatively balanced, and yields on premium properties remained unchanged.

At Prague Property Forum 2026, industry leaders from across the property and facility management ecosystem examined how digital tools are changing the way buildings are operated, valued and experienced. The discussion moved beyond the usual AI hype to focus on the real challenges behind transformation: organisational culture, data quality, workforce readiness and the growing expectation for buildings to function as responsive service platforms rather than static assets. While technologies such as AI, automation and occupancy analytics are advancing rapidly, the panel agreed that long-term success will depend less on the tools themselves and more on how effectively companies integrate them into everyday operations, decision-making and user experience.

Polish developer Echo Group has strengthened its liquidity framework in the first quarter of 2026, capitalising on the divestment of fully leased commercial assets. The capital raised from these sales will directly fund the company's pipeline of new office developments in central Warsaw. At the end of Q1, Echo Group reported total assets of PLN 6.5 billion (€1.53 billion).

The real estate market across CEE is undergoing a profound transformation, adapting to new economic realities, technological progress, and shifting investor priorities. While traditional sectors continue to face pressure from financing costs, inflation, and geopolitical uncertainty, new opportunities are emerging in segments strongly linked to digital transformation and energy transition. Among these, data centres have rapidly become one of the most attractive asset classes for investors seeking long-term growth and resilient returns, writes Vlad Bălan, Director, Advisory, Deloitte Romania.

At Bucharest Business Forum 2026, the closing panel brought together senior executives from residential, logistics, and asset management to explore how Romania can unlock its next phase of growth. Moderated by Ana Dumitrache, CEO, Olympian Parks, the discussion ranged from unlearning old market reflexes and rethinking “location,” to the disruptive impact of AI and the structural gaps still holding Romania back versus peers like Poland. Despite working in different segments, the speakers converged on a few core themes: long‑term value over short‑term volume, community and quality over simple density, and disciplined governance as the missing ingredient for Romania’s full potential.

Hungary's construction sector had a mixed start to 2026, with projects worth around €1.8 billion entering construction in Q1, according to the latest EBI Construction Activity Report.

At Prague Property Forum 2026, the opening panel examined how investors are adapting their strategies in a volatile macro environment. Speakers highlighted that despite continued appetite for Czech real estate, higher financing costs, limited availability of quality assets, and growing uncertainty are pushing investors to become more selective, more cautious and increasingly focused on long-term resilience.

Property Forum is proud to present the sixth edition of its annual publication recognising the 50 most influential people shaping Romania’s real estate market. Over the years, this ranking has become a reflection of an industry that continues to grow in scale, sophistication and international relevance. The publication, together with all other regional editions, is now available on the Property Forum website.