Property investment volumes for the CEE region totalled €10.4 billion in 2020, 24% below 2019 levels. Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary all saw year-over-year declines in volumes. Romania, Slovakia and Bulgaria all saw increases. By comparison, EMEA  volumes are estimated to be down by ca. 27% YoY but Colliers’ latest reports indicates a strong rebound in 2021. Investor appetite remains strong for 2021 for the CEE region but will continue to be challenged by available product and the varying impact of COVID on certain sectors.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, dealmakers are broadly positive about the prospects for M&A in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe (CEE/SEE), according to a new survey from Wolf Theiss and Mergermarket. Just over half (52%) of respondents said that the health crisis will increase their appetite for deals in the next 12 months.

Atrium European Real Estate Limited has priced a €300 million inaugural green bond offering due 5 September 2027 under its EMTN Programme. The New Green Notes are issued by Atrium Finance Issuer B.V. and are guaranteed by Atrium. An amount equal to the net proceeds of the offering will be allocated to finance or refinance eligible projects and assets.

Immofinanz CEO Ronny Pecik has signed as agreement to sell his stake in the Austrian company and consequently intends to submit his resignation from Immofinanz’s executive board.

In January 2021, Antoine Grolin, Chairman of Ceetrus and Founding Chairman of Nodi, announced the creation of a new mixed-use property management and development services company, Nhood. The change affects ten countries, including Hungary, Poland, Romania, Russia and Ukraine in CEE. The reason for setting up the new company is twofold. On the one hand, the separation of the real estate assets of Ceetrus Property and, on the other hand, the merging of the employees of Ceetrus and Nodi under a unified brand name.

Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk (Tricity) and Wrocław are among the top ten markets for hotel operators in Central and Eastern Europe and in Southern and Eastern Europe, making Poland the regional leader. Hotel operators are also targeting other regional cities across Poland, says global real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield.

CPI Property Group announced the successful issue of ten-year senior unsecured bonds and hybrid bonds with a total value of €1 billion.

The latest annual report by specialist business property advisor Christie & Co reflects on the themes, activity and challenges of the previous year and forecasts what 2021 might bring across the hotel investment sector in various European countries.

Though significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts, the hotel market sees activity and interest from hotel operators. In the CEE & SEE regions, they are showing interest in Prague, Budapest and Warsaw, with a number of smaller regional cities – mostly Polish – also making the top 30. Operators are confident about market recovery, predicting that smaller cities will bounce back in 2022, followed by capitals in 2024.

For Vienna-based investor GalCap Europe, last year was a busy one with three additional deals closed compared to 2019. Managing Partner Paul W. Hallam talked to Property Forum about the experiences of last year and shared the company’s investment strategy for 2021.