The commercial real estate market was generally characterised by favourable trends in H1 2022, but in the latter half of the year, risks associated with the business cycle increased in Hungary. Vacancy rates have increased since and are expected to go up for the rest of this year, the Hungarian Central Bank (MNB) reports.

Like many CEE investors, Futureal has adopted a wait-and-see policy, but when prices dive further, they are ready to step in if a suitable asset is seen on the horizon. Property Forum asked Gábor Futó, Co-Founder and Co-Owner of the Group about the company's future projects and investment drives in CEE.

CA Immo has successfully signed and closed the sale of the Vizivaros Office Center in Budapest. The building is located in the Central Buda office submarket in the western part of Budapest, comprises around 14,200 sqm of total lettable space and was 96% let with annualized gross rental income of around €2.5 million as of 31 December 2022. The buyer is the FLE SICAV FIS real estate fund managed by FLE GmbH.

The first phase of Futureal’s Corvin Innovation Campus was built as the extension of Corvin Promenade and is home to IBM Hungary's new head office. The global technology company has already moved into the building equipped with almost completely contactless solutions.

The office vacancy rate increased to 12.2%, representing a 0.9 pps increase quarter-on-quarter and a 2.4 pps increase year-on-year. Total demand reached 76,660 sqm, which is 24% lower than the value registered in the previous quarter, Budapest Research Forum reports.

In Q1 2023, the Greater Budapest speculative stock increased by five buildings, totalling 111,330 sqm, while in regional Hungary, four new buildings were handed over, totalling 45,835 sqm. As a result, the vacancy rate has risen sharply from 3.8 to 5.9%, Budapest Research Forum (BRF) reports.

In Q4 2022, Hungarian residential property prices fell by 3.6% compared to the previous quarter. The Central Bank of Hungary (MNB) reports the sharpest decline was seen in smaller municipalities.

JLL and iO Partners have announced today that JLL will transfer its existing Leasing, Capital Markets, Valuations Advisory, Consulting and Project Management delivery businesses to iO Partners in Romania, Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia.

GTC has appointed Barbara Sikora, an experienced financial leader to head the financial activities of the group. She will replace Ariel Ferstman after he moves to lead GTC's expansion in new sectors and markets focusing on M&A, fundraising and capital markets.

Tailor-made leases are essential in both the office and retail segments in Hungary too. Property Forum asked Mátyás Gereben, Country Manager of CPI Hungary about the relevant plans of the leading landlord and developer.