Colliers International has announced the off-market sale of two industrial properties in the Czech Republic by Red Group for a total consideration of almost  CZK 1 billion, in yet another sign of the growing attractiveness of Czech industrial real estate to investors.

TREI Real Estate, the property estate arm of the German Tengelmann Group, successfully sold a portfolio of 40 Spar leased supermarkets in Hungary to Erste Asset Management. 

Colliers International Hungary announced that Michael Smithing has returned to the Office Agency Team as Director of Landlord Representation, effective immediately.

Colliers International has been assigned by Hili Properties to provide property management services for the Art Business Center office project, which houses the largest private hospital in Romania. Thus, Colliers International reaches a managed portfolio of over 280,000 leasable sqm and enters a new segment, that of private hospitals, marking a premiere for the local property management market.

The Industrial division of Colliers International Hungary sold the Scanfil building in Rozália Park to Reál food store chain. The building totalling 14 500 sqm was used by Scanfil for the production of mechanics and integrated products and will be now used by Reál as distribution centre for the greater Budapest area.

AFI Europe signed a pre-agreement to sell AFI Park 1-3 office buildings to Dedeman, a Romanian DIY retail company. The agreement also includes an option to sell AFI Park 4&5. The total price for AFI 1-5 is approximately €164 million. 

Some 75% of modern office stock in Prague is located within a 10-minute walk from a metro station, making the underground network a crucial feature of successful office projects in the Czech capital, according to Prague Office Metro Map,  the latest research from Colliers International.

Colliers International has launched a new business line in Romania, Retail Services, and aims to become a „one-stop shop” for retail developers. The Retail Services Division is coordinated by Simina (Istrate) Niculiţă, who has more than 12 years of experience in the real estate market, being in charge of both renting and selling shopping centers.

Investment flows into the CEE region rose 70% year-on-year in Q1 2017. The level of €2.8 billion is some €0.5 billion higher than the preliminary estimate of €2.3 billion Colliers International published at the beginning of April. Money invested into the Czech Republic  (56% share) and Hungary (19% share) contributed particularly to the significant jump. Looking within the numbers, the retail sector accounted for nearly half (47%) of the flows, leaving the office sector trailing with a 21% share. Of interest and also a sign of buoyant economic growth, the fastest growth was seen in the hotel sector with a portfolio transaction contributing to the €415mn total (a 15% share). 

We live in the era of smart phones, smart watches, smart cars and smart homes. But are we ready for super smart office buildings? An article by By Stefania Baldovinescu, Senior Partner, Real Estate Management Services at Colliers International Romania.