With a share of 70-80% of the total building stock, the retail sector in Romania has the biggest number of projects that have received green certifications, followed the industrial and office projects, according to real estate consultancy Colliers. 

After over three years of construction, J&T Real Estate (JTRE) will start to hand over respective parts of the enlarged Eurovea area. The opening of new roads and cycle paths will be followed by the ribbon cutting for the bigger shopping centre and public spaces, followed by Riverside residences, Pribinova 34 and 40 admin buildings, green areas, and Eurovea Tower - the first skyscraper in Slovakia.

Sonae Sierra will be responsible for managing Prishtina Mall, the largest shopping centre in Southeastern Europe, which is scheduled to open today. With a GLA of 115,000 sqm, Prishtina Mall is positioned as a regional centre intended to serve the surrounding area of the Balkans.

Developer Antracit has started the construction of the PorubkaPoint project in Ostrava. The two-storey building will be used for sports activities. Construction group HSF System is the general contractor.

Hungarian investor Appeninn Holding has signed contracts to buy the Kanizsa Centrum shopping centre in the southwestern city of Nagykanizsa and two strip malls (Zone Parks) in Székesfehervar and Zalaegerszeg. By acquiring these commercial properties the firm may comply with conditions made by Scope Ratings and thus hopes to get a higher rating.

Focus Estate Fund has announced the extension of Turawa Park in Opole. The retail park concept will offer a shopping experience with an emphasis on convenience, accessibility, and a unique mix of merchandise.

NEPI Rockcastle, the biggest owner and developer of shopping centres in CEE by market value, said its net operating income soared by 17% to a record of €405 million compared to 2021 over strong tenant turnover and base rental growth.

Apart from remodelling the food court, a 10% extension is planned in this centrally located retail complex. This is the biggest change in the life of Westend shopping centre, managed by Granit Polus. The company has not disclosed the size of the investment.

The end of the year for retail real estate in Poland was marked by a rise in inflation and the various consequences that followed it, increases in energy prices and the effects of the war in Ukraine.

With 17 new brands entering the Romanian market in 2022 and the opening of 11 new retail parks, the total stock of retail projects came close to 4.1 million sqm. On this backdrop, new opportunities appear in the market for developers as the available commercial spaces are mostly rented and the vacancy rate is 3% in malls and even lower in retail parks, according to CBRE.