Real estate developer AFI Europe has obtained the LEED v4.1 O+M certification for its AFI Cotroceni mall in Bucharest. The company was assisted by Colliers in obtaining the green certification. 

Focus Estate Fund plans to convert its entire shopping centre portfolio to solar-powered facilities. The first initiative was inaugurated with the installation of solar panels at Galeria Awangarda in Bartoszyce.

Prime Kapital has inaugurated Carolina Mall in Alba Iulia following an investment of around €47 million. The mall has a leasable area of over 33,100 sqm and hosts 70 stores. 

The number of photovoltaic surfaces installed on SES shopping malls is constantly increasing. This year, SES has invested in the construction of photovoltaic systems in the five Slovenian shopping centres, namely Aleja, Citypark and Center Vič in Ljubljana, Citycenter Celje and Europark Maribor. The systems, boasting a total output of 4,300 kilowatts, have been in operation since July and August. They cover around one-fifth of the centres’ electricity requirement with a 1,200-ton saving in terms of CO2 emissions. The SES climate objective to fit photovoltaic systems on at least 50 percent of its available mall roof surfaces by 2040 has therefore already been achieved or exceeded to a significant extent in Slovenia. SES is currently operating four photovoltaic systems in Austria. An additional three locations are scheduled to be equipped with these systems by the end of the year.

Bucharest is the largest retail market in Romania with a total stock of 1.24 million sqm in operational projects, while across the country Timișoara has the biggest volume of shopping centres and retail parks of all regional cities. 

NEPI Rockcastle, the biggest owner of shopping centres in CEE, recorded a net operating income (NOI) of €241 million in H1 2023, up by 23% compared to the same period of last year over strong rental growth and leasing activity, alongside improved cost recovery

Eden Retail Park, owned by Focus Estate Fund, has achieved full occupancy. The retail project based in Zgorzelec, near the German border, has attracted a mix of 10 stores. 

Shopping centres in Slovakia grew this year both in footfall and turnover, and rents also rose. This is according to the latest quarterly report by CBRE. According to the report, there are currently more than 2.36 million sqm of shopping centres and retail parks in Slovakia.

SaaS provider Velis Real Estate Tech has established a partnership with multi brand restaurant operator AmRest for the implementation of the Singu FM system in several markets.

After the extremely difficult year of 2022, the Ukranian retail market has finally managed to improve its performance. Having talked to key market players about trends, tendencies and forecasts, Iryna Nastych summarised the situation in an article prepared by the Ukrainian Real Estate Club for Property Forum.