What is the size of the e-commerce marketplace in the CEE region? How much more might online sales activity grow in the coming years? What are the implications for the demand for the logistics and retail real estate arenas in the CEE-6 countries? The latest research by Colliers International assesses these key questions that will shape the marketplace for real estate space in these sectors going forward. 

The first six months of 2018 haven’t been the strongest for the Hungarian investment market but the current pipeline of deals leaves much room for optimism regarding the remaining months of the year. Benjamin Perez-Ellischewitz MRICS, Regional Director and Head of Capital Markets Hungary at JLL talked to us about new investments, rising asset classes and game-changing technologies. 

Immofinanz has successfully closed the package sale of its roughly 26% investment in CA Immobilien Anlagen AG to SOF-11 Starlight S.à r.l., a member company of the Starwood Capital Group.

In Central and Eastern Europe, hotel owners are experiencing record months in terms of average daily rates which was the primary driver of the double-digit RevPAR (Revenue per available room) growth recorded by central European cities in 2017. The growing trend was also seen in the first half of this year (H1 2018). The only exception was Warsaw where RevPAR dropped slightly due to declining occupancy, yet the prices of rooms increased as in other capitals. The higher room rates translated to notable gains in hotels’ profitability which brought significant interests from investors. The lack of hotel properties available for sale and shortage of development sites in prime locations is turning attention to conversions of existing buildings into hotels. As the demand continues to grow and the development pipeline remains limited in most markets (except for Warsaw and Vienna), profitability is expected to stay strong also in the coming years.

Immofinanz AG signed agreements for the purchase of 19,499,437 bearer shares in S Immo AG, which represent an investment of roughly 29.14%, on 18 April 2018. Following the receipt of the relevant anti-trust approvals, the closing of the transaction took place on 21 September 2018 and the acquired S IMMO shares were formally transferred to Immofinanz.

Real estate professionals surveyed by the RICS in Q2 2018 now believe that the Czech investment market has reached the peak of the current cycle while the Hungarian and Polish markets are also close to peaking. Nevertheless, market sentiment is still positive on both the occupier and investment market in all CEE countries monitored by the RICS Commercial Property Monitor, including Croatia and Romania.

Online Real Assets and Lodestar have signed a joint agreement to provide the real estate sector with high-value integrated services. The deal will cover both the UK and Central and Eastern European markets.

Prologis announced two appointments at its Central and Eastern European project management operations. The appointments are designed to enhance the company’s capabilities for developing complex projects within a specified budget and time frame.

The CEE investment market continues to perform well in 2018 but investors are becoming increasingly cautious, driven by rising interest rates and the changing attractiveness of certain asset classes. Mike Atwell, Head of Capital Markets Czech Republic and Lead Director CEE at JLL talked to Property Forum about investor sentiment, financing and transparency.

Alternative investment products have been slowly growing in popularity for some time now in CEE. As clients look for new types of services from advisory firms, this trend is here to stay. Jonathan Hallett MRICS, Executive Partner | Head of Central & Eastern Europe at Cushman & Wakefield talked to Property Forum about business lines, technology and competition.