Higher construction costs and the unfavourable economic situation in Europe are impacting the future development of new offices in the region, especially in capital cities like Prague, Bratislava, Budapest and Bucharest.

The office vacancy rate in Budapest increased to 13.2%, representing a 0.6 pps growth quarter-on-quarter and a 2.2 pps increase year-on-year. Two smaller buildings have been handed over while the demand has increased by 14% compared to the previous quarter, the Budapest Research Forum (BRF) reports.

Shopper Park Plus (SPP) shares are now available for subscription, paving the way for the first euro-based listing on the Budapest Stock Exchange (BSE). The shares of the regulated real estate investment pre-trust, which owns a portfolio of 18 retail units, will be offered for sale through OTP Bank and Concorde as distributors.

IHG Hotels & Resorts and Wing, a leading Hungarian property development and investment company have announced the signing of Hotel Indigo Budapest Andrassy and Holiday Inn Express Vagohid. Signed at the real estate trade fair Expo Real 2023, both properties mark brand debuts to Hungary, demonstrating investment and growth in the premium and essentials hotel segments.

Hungarian-owned B+N Referencia Ltd. has announced the acquisition of Italy-based Sagad. With this move the company has gained new industry knowledge, significant Western European experience and a new customer base.

The second phase of the Park West project has been delivered in Budapest. The Hungarian developer plans two more phases in this project.

The first phase of the Le Jardin residential park has secured a BREEAM 'Very Good' certification. This is the first such project to get this type of certification in Hungary.

The world’s largest provider of hybrid working solutions with brands including Spaces, Regus, HQ and Signature, is expanding its Hungarian portfolio with 3 new openings, as the demand for hybrid working rapidly accelerates in the country.

Skanska has divested the first phase of its office complex H2Offices in Budapest, Hungary, to Erste Open-Ended Real Estate Investment Fund, represented by Erste Alapkezelő Zrt., for approximately €100 million. The transfer of the property is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2023.

Facility managers of large sports centres face mounting energy and labour costs too. But those costs can be lower if the property itself is enabled to host different kinds of events. Developers should involve all parties to reach that goal before the construction or in case of remodelling the building. Tibor Lak, Finance Manager of Budapesti Sportcsarnok Üzemeltető Kft., a subsidiary of Granit Polus, which has been running Budapest Arena, a huge multifunctional centre in the Hungarian capital, spoke with Property Forum about how to handle this problem.