The Czech industrial market has proven that it is resilient to unfavourable economic factors and therefore it will logically remain a popular asset class that is not at risk of decline. Pavel Sovička, Managing Director of Panattoni in the Czech Republic talked to Property Forum about nearshoring, rising construction costs, changing tenant demand and all other factors that are contributing to rental growth.

Penta Real Estate has secured a bank loan of €74 million, or over CZK 1.8 billion, from two banks, ČSOB and Česká spořitelna, for the construction of the office part of the Nová Waltrovka project in Prague's Radlice district, the Czech News Agency reported.

Massive construction is underway on one of the artificial peninsulas being created off the UAE's coast. The Czech company Preston Capital is now investing in a four-star hotel complex there. It plans to invest $50 million (€48 million) in Ras al-Khaimah, E15.cz reported.

In Q3 2022, the Czech industrial market grew at a faster pace than at any time previously, adding 511,100 sqm of new modern industrial space to the market. The market stock overtook the level of 10.65 million sqm, further expanding after breaking the 10 million sqm milestone in H1 2022. The vacancy rate decreased to 0.99% for the first time in recorded history, plunging the national average just below 1% of all available space on the market, says Colliers.

Czech company Jamp, which focuses on property rental, has bought the former headquarters of Raiffeisen stavební spořitelna in Prague. The company is now considering turning it into a residential property. Neither party has disclosed the purchase price. The group plans to make further property purchases outside the Czech market, Nikolina Peričová, the company's Managing Director, told the daily HN.cz. 

Investment into the world’s office markets fell sharply in Q3 2022, however, there is plenty of capital still circulating poised to target the best assets, as well as any areas of discount, as debt-backed buyers withdraw and others pause decision-making. The Czech market is copying the global market, but the number of opportunities for buyers to source a ‘bargain’ is limited, says Savills in its latest Capital Markets Quarterly report. 

Panattoni Park Teplice South in the industrial zone in Hostomice has reported full occupancy. The last vacancies in the Panattoni Park Teplice South complex will be filled by international logistics companies Maersk, Raben and the manufacturing company Exyte. The park was developed by Panattoni with Accolade as the investor.

Romanian developer Forty Management is looking to buy land in Poland and Czech Republic for new investments of mixed-use projects under the Central District Lagoon City brand. 

In Q3 2022, the Czech industrial market slowed down in comparison to the previous record-breaking year and a half after tenant demand decreased. The stock of Class A industrial premises for lease reached 10,652,456 sqm and there is currently 1,152,780 sqm under construction. The vacancy rate stayed at a historical low of 1.03%, so there is only 109,699 sqm available on the market for immediate lease. Nevertheless, due to the political-economic situation with the energy crisis and the high inflation rate, companies are planning layoffs and developers are more cautious. It is possible to expect that the tough time for tenants as well as developers will continue until at least next March, says the newest industrial property market report by 108 Agency.

Josef Wiedermann, Managing Director of UBM Development Czechia talked to Property Forum about recent changes, ESG strategies and provided insight into the company’s ambitious plans for becoming the largest developer of timber buildings in Europe.