The past year has probably been the weakest since 2009 in terms of the volume of investments in real estate, both in the Czech Republic and throughout Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). This conclusion has resulted from the KPMG Property Lending Barometer survey. It has involved representatives of 48 banks from 10 CEE countries.

iO Partners has announced the appointment of Charles Boudet as CEO. With this appointment, iO Partners wishes to further accelerate growth and contribute to the transformation of the real estate sector.

2024 will be a challenging year for many companies in the CEE real estate sector that will have to refinance their loans at new, increased costs. Those that need to redeem their corporate bonds in the coming quarters may also have a lot of problems.

Chinese car parts maker KSHG Auto Harness has leased 13,000 sqm of production space in CTPark Deva II, while taking its total leased surface in the project to 21,000 sqm. CTP said the lease transaction underpins the growing demand from large companies looking to nearshore their production facilities for the European market.

Hospitality group Accor plans to open more than 90 hotels across Europe, Middle East and Asia during 2024, of which four will be based in CEE markets.

Some of the largest cities in Romania, including the capital, have some of the newest office stocks in CEE that have certifications, according to CBRE research.

Technology is capable of extending offices’ lifespans and reducing the necessity for extensive renovations. However, due to economic and geopolitical events, investors are more restrained, Colliers reports.

CA Immo has reported a good operating performance for the first three quarters of 2023. The results show, among other things, a significant increase in rental income (+9%) and high income from the sale of non-strategic properties (sales result of €158 million, FFO II +88%), which led to an increase in the operating result (EBITDA) of 129% compared to the previous year´s figure. In total, CA Immo generated a consolidated net profit of €61.1 million, which was around 77% below the previous year's figure, primarily due to the non-cash-effective, market-related negative result from revaluation.

Higher disposable income across CEE markets are outpacing those in more mature Western European economies, with existing retail spaces trying to keep up with growing demand, according to a NEPI Rockcastle report.

Property markets in CEE have solid building blocks and the region can attract more investment across the commercial sector, with industrial and private student housing standing out, concluded speakers at the CEE Investment Update London 2023 event last week, organised by Property Forum and RICS.