Older buildings usually consume more energy in operation than new construction. That is not only a cost issue. It also affects how an asset performs against market standards like BREEAM, EU Taxonomy, and CRREM, as well as regulations such as the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the rules for Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS). Many owners assume the only way to close the gap is a major refurbishment. Better insulation and new equipment certainly help, but they are expensive and disruptive. Investments in deep fabric and equipment upgrades can reach one to five percent of the asset value.

Property Forum recently spoke with a prominent player in the Romanian property market, who asked to remain anonymous, about the systemic challenges facing development in the capital, which risks seeing billions of euros in new investments lost due to prolonged administrative blockages.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has released its 2025 Sustainability Report, revealing a slowdown in global demand growth for sustainable buildings and concerning lack of progress in carbon measurement across construction projects. The report, based on insight from more than 3,500 real estate and construction professionals across 36 countries, warns that momentum behind sustainable development risks stalling without stronger policy intervention and skills development.

Andrei Radu, Group Development Director at NEPI Rockcastle, talked about the developer’s focus on net zero with a €100 million investment in clean energy production. With the recent launch of a 54 MW solar park in Romania, the group expects to cover almost 50% of its total CEE electricity needs by 2026, offering cost control and doing the "heavy lifting" for tenants.  

The European real estate industry has shifted from cautious optimism to pragmatism as geopolitical and economic uncertainty continues to temper investment activity, according to the latest report by PwC and the Urban Land Institute.

Florentin Avădanei, Founder & Co-CEO at Goldbach Group, talked to Property Forum about the company's strategy of focusing on small urban and rural areas, their consolidation in 2024, and the future of physical retail in Romania.

Globalworth has renewed its Access4you certification for all 16 office buildings in its Romanian portfolio, totaling almost 500,000 sqm. The recertification, conducted with consultancy services from Colliers, marks the second three-year certification cycle for the leading office investor in CEE.

Sorin Macoveiu, Commercial Manager at Vastint Romania, talked to Property Forum about the company’s ongoing expansion of its Timpuri Noi Square complex in Bucharest and the trends shaping office demand going into 2026.  

European investors are shifting capital from traditional commercial real estate to operational sectors, with purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) emerging as the most sought-after segment for the first time, according to Savills' investor sentiment survey.

Nepi Rockcastle has inaugurated its first photovoltaic park in Chișineu-Criș, Arad County, Romania, marking a milestone in the shopping centre developer's sustainability efforts.