Resilient European economies, the continued popularity of Mediterranean leisure destinations and Europe’s importance for business travellers, should drive hotel occupancy and revenues in 2017, according to the latest PwC European Cities Hotel Forecast. Most European cities, including Budapest and Prague, are expected to see additional revenue growth in 2018.

Diófa Asset Management has purchased the South Pest Business Park from Wing Zrt. The new owner is Magyar Posta Takarék Property Investment Fund, which is Hungary's second largest domestic open-ended fund. The city logistics scheme, located in the 9th district, is 90% occupied.  The South Pest Business Park was transacted for app. €29.1 million (HUF9 billion).

Budapest was among the 50+ cities that showcased its strengths and potential to real estate professionals at MIPIM 2017 with an emphasis on new developments and investment opportunities. Two panel discussions were held during the first two days of the event, both of them moderated by Portfolio Property Forum, the media partner of the Budapest stand. Here are some takeaways from the first two days in Cannes. 

Futureal Group signed a credit agreement of €45.1 million with Erste Bank Hungary Zrt. in order to finance the realisation of the Corvin 5 office building. The first phase of the building is expected to be handed over at the end of 2018. 

Vienna-based investment manager GalCap Europe has acquired Merkúr Palota (the Mercure Palace), a fully renovated office building in Budapest. The seller is a private investor; both parties agreed not to disclose the purchase price.

HB Reavis has gained planning consent for its next new major development, Agora Budapest, situated next to city’s busiest boulevard and the Váci Road office corridor. Construction on the first building called Agora Hub has already commenced. Agora Budapest will be built in several phases and will comprise more than 136,000 sqm of modern office spaces and retail units by 2023. The project will require an investment of approximately HUF140 billion (€447 million).

Immofinanz introduces its international office brand myhive to the Hungarian market, to be implemented in five of its office buildings in Budapest. The Greenpoint 7 and Haller Gardens have already become myhive Greenpoint 7 and myhive Haller Gardens, after a transformation process through which the properties’ common areas now offer an extended service range and improved infrastructure to encourage socialization. Plans call for the myhive concept to also be rolled-out at Átrium Park to become myhive Átrium Park, Globe 13 and Xenter 13 buildings to become myhive Thirteen.

ČS Real Estate fund, the largest and oldest Czech open-ended property fund, managed by REICO, has announced its intention to expand its acquisition programme to Poland and Hungary. 

Luxembourg-based Rubik Ventures has sold an office building in the 11th district of Budapest to Videoton Group. The property, located on Bocskay Road, has 5,000 sqm of GLA and is fully leased to Colas Hungaria Zrt. 

Futureal Group’s Advance Tower is getting closer to becoming the first office building in Hungary obtaining the Well Building Standard (WELL) certification. The International Well Building Institute’s system examines buildings’ impact on human body, health and environment and rates them based on 7 categories – air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort and mind. The pre-qualification process of Advance Tower that will be built on Váci Road has already started. All further office projects of Futureal Group will be realized in line with the requirements of the Well Building international standard.