Investment market momentum is still firmly positive across Central and Eastern Europe but an increasing share of market players feel that commercial property has become expensive in the countries surveyed by the RICS Commercial Property Monitor. Although the majority of the survey’s contributors believe that the market is in the peak phase of the property cycle, growth is set to continue in the coming year.

Hungarian developer Wing has announced the launch of the Gizella Loft, a new office project at Siemensʼ Gizella út site acquired last year. The 8,500 sqm is set to offer modern, human-focused offices for potential tenants from the end of 2019.

Vienna-based FLE GmbH, part of the French LFPI Group, announced the purchase of the Achat Premium Budapest, a four-star hotel with 135 rooms, east of Budapest’s city centre, on behalf of Luxembourg-based fund FLE SICAV FIS.

AEW has acquired two historic, mixed-use properties on Andrássy Avenue in Budapest, on behalf of a German separate account.

Hong Kong will retain its title as the world’s most expensive office market despite rents being forecast to decrease in 2019, according to Knight Frank’s latest Global Outlook Report. Knight Frank's chief economist believes that there is a compelling global case for continued rental growth across the global cities.

CTP has recently announced new leases and development completions, in addition to ambitious plans for future expansion, in the Budapest region of Hungary and Northwest Bohemia and Moravia in the Czech Republic.

Atenor announced that its latest large-scale Budapest project, Aréna Business Campus has secured its first two signed lease contracts for the first building. More than 700 sqm ground floor area has been leased to Costa Coffee and a medical centre, one year prior to the building’s handover.

Hungary’s investment market peaked in 2017 but a solid €1.8 billion was transacted in 2018 with local investors closing 65% of purchases on the buyer side. Property Forum summarised some of the key market trends presented at CBRE’s yearly Re-View business breakfast.

Hungarian developer Wing has announced the acquisition of several buildings in Budapest’s Infopark office complex. The seller was Lone Star Funds – Hudson Global Advisors.

AEW’s Europe City Retail Fund has acquired a 3,000 sqm mixed-use building in the centre of Budapest for around €18 million. The sellers of the high street building were the Pallas Athéné Foundations, created by the Central Bank of Hungary.