Investors brushed aside concerns about the impact of the omicron variant to make the final quarter one of the biggest of 2021 for European property, with major markets posting near-record trading volumes, according to the latest capital markets snapshot for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) released by Colliers.

Investment transactions on the Romanian real estate market could exceed the €1 billion threshold this year, considering the projects in various stages of negotiation, according to Colliers.  At present, there are several transactions in the pipeline worth at least €100 million each, and others are ready to go on the market

Tatra Asset Management has acquired the Hexagon retail park in Žarnovice, Central Slovakia from Hexagon Retail s.r.o. The new owner of the Hexagon retail park with an area of 3,600 sqm is a real estate fund managed by Tatra Asset Management, which with this acquisition has expanded its portfolio to 11 retail parks operated under the Lipa Park brand.

New demand for office spaces in Bucharest soared 47% to 104,000 sqm year-on-year in 2021, while total demand volumes gained 23% to 263,000 sqm, according to real estate consultancy Colliers. 

Despite almost all European office employees working from home last year the empty workplaces did not lead to a reduction in the expenditure that companies had to fulfil had the workforce been in the office. The average costs per FTE fell by only 2% and amounted to €9,468. These findings have been published by Colliers, Occupier Cost Index (OCI), which comprises data from 29 countries, 3,990 buildings, 26.1 million square meters of office space and 1.96 million FTEs.

The volume of land transactions for commercial and residential projects totaled €800 million in 2021, which is a 15-year high, according to real estate consultancy Colliers. Retailers and residential developers have generated roughly 90% of the deals. 

Property developer Atenor got €50 million from the sale of Dacia One office project in Bucharest to Pavăl Holding, in a deal brokered by real estate consultancy Colliers. 

Colliers reveals that 67% of EMEA investors (and 60% of global investors) chose quality office assets in major markets as their top strategy picks. European cities like London, Paris, Berlin and Munich have retained their allure and will be in high demand next year.

Property group Globalworth has obtained the WELL Health-Safety Rating for the entire portfolio of almost 500,000 sqm consisting of 15 office buildings in Romania. 

Belgian group Atenor has appointed Colliers to offer complete property management services for the Dacia One and @Expo office projects in Bucharest.