The Q1 2021 results of the RICS Global Commercial Property Monitor indicate a slightly less negative market sentiment across Europe compared to the previous quarter. Rental growth expectations remain negative within the office and retail sectors across all European nations covered, while the outlook for industrial markets has never been more positive.

According to the latest Savills research, at figures ranging between €4.60-5.30 per sqm per month, out of 54 markets analysed, Prague and the Polish cities of Katowice, Wrocław, TriCity and Poznań are among the ten cheapest locations for renting a modern warehouse globally. In Europe, Poznań (€4.68/sqm/month) is the most cost-effective location with only certain cities in India and Vietnam having lower overall warehousing property costs.

The Czech market is still slow in comparison to previous years. Market fundamentals remain good, as does the demand for core and core+ assets, but the market is experiencing limited supply of the right investment product, according to the latest capital markets report by Colliers.

Czech-founded PPF Real Estate Holding has entered the United States market through its U.S. division, finalizing an acquisition of Mansell Overlook, a large office campus in the broader Atlanta metropolitan area. The acquisition is a steppingstone for future investments by PPF in the U.S. property market.

HB Reavis has sold a plot of land in the centre of Prague, which was created by the demolition of the former Transgas complex, to local developer PSN for a record sum of CZK 870 million.

Avison Young has significantly increased its CEE presence in recent months and the company is planning further expansion. Gerry Hughes, Principal and President of Avison Young Europe talked to Property Forum about the firm’s strategy for CEE and shared his expectations regarding the future of the advisory business.

Radovan Patrick Vítek, the son of CPI Property Group’s Radovan Vítek, acquired an 8.38% stake in Austrian real estate group Immofinanz. He acquired the shares through Mountfort Investments, according to a major holdings notification published by Immofinanz. This purchase makes 23-year-old Vítek the third-largest shareholder of Immofinanz-

Colliers recently secured the largest agent-involved transaction in the history of the Czech industrial market. Senior Associate Lukáš Svobodník brought Sportisimo to Hrušov in Ostrava, where Contera began construction of a logistics complex for the sporting goods retailer. This new distribution centre of the Czech company will offer jobs to 700 people. The 90,000 sqm hall, with a clear height of up to 25 meters, a rare feature in the Czech Republic, is now one of the country’s biggest logistics halls.

The third-largest provider of rental housing in Europe, Swedish company Heimstaden plans to almost double its investments into the refurbishment and expansion of its Czech portfolio.

AFI Europe has signed an agreement for the purchase of Avenir Business Park in Prague 5 owned by Tristan Capital Partners. The office complex, offering more than 25,600 sqm of premium office space, is close to 100% occupancy. Among its tenants are companies such as CSOB, ING, Porsche, McDonald’s, Dermacol and Coloplast.