From January to the end of September 2023, the total demand for modern office space in Warsaw amounted to nearly 0.5 million sqm. Tenants often choose two contract options, i.e., they relocate to a new space or decide to renegotiate existing terms. The vacancy rate is decreasing, standing at 10.6% at the end of September 2023. On the supply side, developers delivered just over 20,000 sqm to the capital's office market in January-September 2023, indicating a supply gap period in Warsaw. Nevertheless, more than 240,000 sqm is under construction, most of which will be completed by the end of 2025, says Axi Immo. 

AXI IMMO, an advisory firm operating in the Polish commercial real estate market, and British property consultancy Carter Jonas have formed an alliance, with both firms aiming to strengthen their cross-border activities.

According to AXI Immo, more challenging economic situation and a ‘wait and see’ approach adopted by market players have been the key factors affecting the Polish industrial real estate sector in H1 2023. Gross take-up amounted to 2.24 million sq ]m (-39% y/y) between January and June. A soft patch was also visible on the supply side. Although a relatively large amount of space was added to the market in H1 2023 (2.6 million sqm, marking a 9% y/y increase) and total stock increased to 30.6 million sq \m, there was only 2.13 million sqm under construction as at the end of June 2023 – 50% less compared to a year earlier. The vacancy rate climbed to 6.7% at the end of Q2, marking a 3.3 p.p. increase on Q2 2022.

MCG EastBridge, part of the Maszoński Group's portfolio is growing. Following a record-breaking deal on the Kraków warehouse market in Q1 2023 for nearly 37,000 sqm at GLP Kraków III Logistics Centre, the company decided to expand by more than 19,000 sqm. Under the signed agreements, MCG EastBridge will occupy a total of 56,200 sqm and will be a single occupier in the development, which is being built in the Niepołomice Investment Zone near Kraków. The two-stage lease is the largest signed transaction in the Polish warehouse market in the first half of 2023. In both cases, MCG EastBridge was represented by AXI IMMO.

Despite a supply gap and a low level of new completions (18,700 sqm in H1), there is a lot of optimism in the capital’s office market. Over 230,000 sqm is scheduled to be delivered in the next three years, which will significantly increase the amount of office space available to let. On the demand side meanwhile, we observe a relatively high occupier demand, whereby 2/3 of all agreements signed in H1 were new leases. AXI IMMO presents market data for the first half of 2023.

In the first quarter of 2023, developers focused on regional markets in Poland. Kraków, Wrocław, and Tri-City have been enriched with new office spaces. Meanwhile, no new office buildings were built in Warsaw. Current interest from tenants remains at a fairly high level. Demand recorded in Q1 2023 was distributed proportionally to the Warsaw market and regional cities. Tenants attach importance to ESG issues and the comfort of working from the office for their employees. The challenge facing the office sector is rising service charges. AXI IMMO presents data summarizing Q1 2023 on the office market.

Part of the Maszoński Group's portfolio, MCG EastBridge will lease nearly 37,000 sqm of warehouse and office space at GLP Kraków Logistics Centre III. AXI IMMO was the advisor in selecting and leasing the location.

The Polish warehousing market in 2022 remained in good condition. By the end of December 2022, more than 4.4 million sqm (+42% y/y) of new space was completed, corresponding with strong activity by tenants, who leased nearly 6.7 million sqm (-9 y/y). Another 3.4 million sqm is under construction (-25% y/y), which promises to surpass the 30 million sqm mark in 2023. The high absorption rate did not significantly affect the increase in the vacancy rate, keeping it at 4.1% (+0.2 bps y/y). The event of the year was undoubtedly the rising rental rates, which increased on average by 15-20% compared to previous years, according to Axi Immo's recent report.

2022 was a good, strong year in Poland's office market. After a downturn, it was time for a long-awaited boom in demand. Companies have adapted to new working conditions. Due to the loosening of restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic, they have launched a campaign to encourage people to return to their offices. On the other hand, we will see lower development activity in both Warsaw and regional office markets in the coming quarters, which should last until 2024. AXI IMMO summarised 2022 on the Polish office market.

A pandemic, high inflation, rising prices for materials and contractors, and consequently, an increase in starting rental rates concerned the warehouse sector in 2022. Despite the difficulties, the logistics and industrial market is stable and has grown dynamically. The breaking point for the sector turned out to be Russia’s aggression against Ukraine at the end of Q1, 2022, which significantly changed the perception of the entire market in the first weeks of the war. Additionally, tenants and developers looked for ways to optimize energy costs throughout the year. Axi Immo presented a recap of 2022 and forecasts for 2023 for the warehouse market in Poland.