The Trikaya real estate group has completed the modernisation of the Řepy Shopping Center in Prague and sold the entire project to the investment fund Pragorent.

The Czech industrial RE market has experienced a record growth of interest in renting new premises, especially from companies linked to e-commerce triggering extensive speculative construction. Although the market situation is stable and positively influenced by the gradual reduction of construction costs in combination with yield stabilisation, recently the vacancy rate has slightly increased and two new phenomena have emerged on the market.

Croatian autonomous car maker Verne has leased 28,500 sqm in VGP Park Zagreb for a new factory. Under the lease terms brokered by CBRE, VGP will develop a built-to-suit project for Verne featuring offices, warehouse space and a production facility.

The debt markets in Europe remain resilient. An extensive survey by CBRE among 130 companies shows that the lending environment is on a solid footing for when investment activity starts to pick up in the second half of 2024. Nearly two-thirds of respondents expect a recovery compared to last year with refinancing being the main source of demand. Industrial and multifamily are the preferred sectors for lending, with student accommodation and hotels seeing the strongest increase in demand.

Karimpol Polska is expanding its cooperation with CBRE. Starting in June 2024, CBRE’s Polish branch will be acting as the exclusive letting agent of Skyliner II office project.

The office and business centre Karlák Shopping Square (formerly Charles Square Center) owned by KGAL is getting a new face. The complete rebranding, architectural modifications and reconstruction of retail and office spaces, including a modernised logo are all included in the reconstruction plan.

CBRE has appointed Verka Petkova-Shekerova as Country Head for the Bulgarian market within its Southeast Europe (SEE) office. She is replacing Sladjana Popović, who will continue to lead ESG & Sustainability services department for the region.

Q1 2024 retail data has revealed that the difficult period of the coronavirus pandemic and the unfavourable economic situation of last year is over in the Czech retail market. In its analysis of the Shopping Center Index, CBRE has looked back at the 2023 performance of regional shopping centres.

Romania’s retail market could top 4.5 million sqm this year considering that around 185,000 sqm of new retail projects are under various construction and planning stages, according to CBRE data.

Office leasing in Bucharest reached 97,400 sqm in Q1 2024, up 71% compared to the same period of last year, while take-up transactions that cover relocations and new demand were flat year-on-year at 33,000 sqm, according to a CBRE report.