Sevdelina Petrova MRICS (Bulgaria) and Maja Ostanek MRICS (Slovenia) were awarded the Chris H. Bennett Memorial Prize. The awards were handed out at the Portfolio Property Investment Forum conference in Budapest, where the achievements of several big players of the Hungarian property market were also acknowledged.
To honour his substantial contribution to the industry over many years, in 2014 RICS has created an annual prize in the name of Chris H. Bennett FRICS, to reward significant display of professionalism by successful RICS Candidates in the CEE region.
The award is given to one or more successful RICS applicants deemed to have made the most outstanding impression on an interviewing panel throughout the RICS business year (1 August - 31 July). Nominations are accepted from all countries of the CEE region. The nomination process is controlled by RICS CEE Country Manager Anna Orcsik and the determination of the merit-based award is managed by family friend John Verpeleti FRICS.
From left to right: John Verpeleti FRICS, Sevdelina Petrova MRICS, Maja Ostanek MRICS and Anna Orcsik.
Sevdelina Petrova MRICS (Bulgaria) and Maja Ostanek MRICS (Slovenia) received the award in Budapest at the 13th Property Investment Forum, organised by Portfolio. RICS has long been the number one professional partner of Portfolio and Property Forum at its property conferences in several European cities.
At this year’s largest professional event on the Hungarian real estate market Portfolio Property Awards were also handed out to recognise the activity of several big players of the Hungarian real estate scene.
Participants of the conference voted in two categories. Futureal’s Nokia Skypark office building was declared Project of The Year. Co-Founder / Chairman Gábor Futó represented the developer.
Based on the popular vote Horizon Development’s Szervita Square project became Concept of The Year. Managing Partner Attila Kovács recieved the award from Property Forum CEO Csanád Csűrös and Net Média Zrt. (Portfolio) CEO Zoltán Bán.
The Transaction Deal of The Year was closed by CPI Property Group. Country Manager Mátyás Gereben recieved the award from host Nóra Ödrög.
UDH, one of Poland’s largest distributors of premium imported beers, has leased approximately 1,400 sq m of modern warehouse and office space at the Park Rysy Kraków distribution centre. The tenant, which has chosen to expand its operations in southern Poland, was once again represented by AXI IMMO.
Golden Star Estate has secured a long-term lease agreement with global technology solutions and consulting provider C&F for nearly 1,900 sqm of office space at the Konstruktorska Business Center. Following the transaction, the property, located in Warsaw’s Mokotów business district, is now almost fully leased. The Polish branch of C&F will officially relocate to the facility at the beginning of 2027.
Natland Group has committed to its long-term presence at Prague-based Rohan Business Center through a lease extension covering 2,004 sqm of office space, together with storage facilities and dedicated parking spaces, in a deal brokered by iO Partners.
New appointments
Indotek Group has announced the appointment of Diederik Bakker as Group Chief Investment Officer and Group Head of Asset Management. In his new role, the Dutch real estate investment professional will gradually assume responsibility for the company's ITAM (investment, transaction, and asset management) activities across 12 European countries, supporting the next phase of Indotek Group’s growth. His focus includes facilitating sound investment decisions across Europe and developing a group-level portfolio management strategy that combines local market knowledge with international asset management know-how.
Peakside Capital Advisors has appointed Bogi Gabrovic to advise the board and support its investment and acquisition activities in Poland. Gabrovic brings more than 25 years of CEE real estate experience to the role, having previously held senior executive positions at CTP, Golub & Company, and White Star Real Estate, where she managed transactions exceeding €2 billion.
Katarína Brydone, Jana Vlková and Vendula Maršová have been appointed as the first Equity Partners of Colliers’ Czech business. Brydone brings more than 20 years of experience in international real estate. Vlková has more than 25 years of experience in commercial real estate. Maršová, Partner and Head of Valuation and Advisory Services, brings more than 16 years of experience in real estate valuation and advisory.
The commercial real estate investment market across six Central and Eastern European countries recorded transaction volumes of €5.8 billion in the first half of 2026, according to analysis published by Colliers. The figure represents a notable improvement on recent years and signals a recovery in investor confidence across the region, though capital continues to flow selectively into assets with stable income generation, strong ESG performance and a competitive market position.
Hala Targowa in Gdańsk has reopened after 18 months of renovation carried out by Apsys Polska, attracting 25,700 visitors on its first day of operation. The revitalisation, the most extensive in the building's 130-year history, cost 141 million złoty and was conducted under the supervision of the regional heritage conservation authority.
Record demand and a decade-low level of new construction have fundamentally shifted the balance of power in Warsaw's office market. In the second quarter of 2026, leasing volume exceeded 280,000 sqm, one of the strongest quarterly results on record, while net take-up surpassed 134,000 sqm. The previous quarter had already set an all-time high, with 310,000 sqm of lease agreements signed between October and December 2025. Against this backdrop, just over 140,000 sqm of office space is currently under construction in Warsaw, the lowest pipeline in more than a decade, and Walter Herz estimates that fewer than 30,000 sqm of new space will be delivered by the end of 2026.
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