As the European Commission expands its Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives, most of the focus has been on how they affect large banks and corporations. However, the financial and corporate accountability rules are very relevant for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), especially in the real estate sector. Strategic policy and research consultant Lisa Chase has summarised the policy framework for Property Forum.

In 2023, the European Central Bank's interest rates have reached their highest level in 23 years and they are not expected to decrease in the near future. This development has had a significant impact on various sectors, but on top of the podium is the construction and real estate industry. As interest rates rise, investors in both the residential and commercial segments are compelled to reassess their strategies, potentially leading to reductions in investments. Many have realised that now is the perfect time to optimise their portfolios by finding the right digital tools.

Only 60,900 sqm of office space was completed in the Polish capital in 2023, the lowest total in the history of the Warsaw office market. Savills also notes that development activity in Warsaw picked up in the second half of last year in response to a prolonged period of undersupply. In the most optimistic scenario, approximately 445,000 sqm of new office space will be delivered onto the Warsaw market in 2024–2026. 

In 2024, the Polish commercial property market will be largely impacted by growing ESG regulatory pressure, says Cushman & Wakefield in its latest report. Following the entry into force of the EU reporting standards and the revised EPBD, investors will be required to place an increasing emphasis on implementing practical sustainable solutions for their property portfolios.

The modern developer-led warehouse stock in the Czech Republic has reached 11.70 million sqm. The Industrial Research Forum has announced industrial market figures for Q4 2023.

The Prague Research Forum – CBRE, Colliers, Cushman & Wakefield, iO Partners, Knight Frank and Savills – has shared an updated Prague office market insight. Figures and data for Q4 2023 have confirmed a cautious approach both from developers and tenants.

Cost of financing and capital availability are some of the core challenges this year for real estate companies in Europe, shows a Deloitte survey.

According to experts from Colliers, the Czech real estate market is facing several challenges this year.

The investments transaction market in Romania totaled around €500 million in 2023, down from a record of more than €1.2 billion in the previous year, in line with lower deal volumes that have been recorded across region and the major international markets, according to a Colliers Romania report.

Revenue generated by the top 40 construction companies operating in Poland grew in double digits in 2023, in nominal terms, for the third straight year, and it was mostly the effect of the overall substantial growth of construction costs. For these companies to continue to thrive, it is necessary to disburse the EU funding for Poland promptly, including all the funds available under the National Recovery Scheme and the cohesion policy budget for 2021-2027, says Spectis.