European logistics real estate markets have not suffered last year from the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to fast-growing e-commerce and higher inventory levels of producers, the total expected take-up in 11 European countries of 23.6 million sqm for 2020 is only 3% down compared with the record year 2019. The forecasts for this year are even better with an expected take-up of 27 million sqm – an increase of 14%. Particularly large logistics real estate markets like Germany, France, the Netherlands and Poland are expected to grow substantially.

Panattoni has bought an 8.2-hectare site in the Annopol neighbourhood of Warsaw to develop City Logistics Warsaw IV, featuring approx. 40,000 sqm. The facility’s location, next to the S8 route, will ensure efficient domestic and international transport. There will also be a tram terminal in the direct vicinity of the building. City Logistics Warsaw IV is the sixth project of this formula in Warsaw.

The developers of logistics and industrial spaces maintained their investment plans and delivered 600,000 sqm of new warehouses last year, according to JLL Romania data. Most of them were delivered in Bucharest and the surrounding area, with 80% of the total.

Macromex, the leader in the temperature-controlled products segment, is building its second warehouse in Chitila, near Bucharest. The investment amounts to €15 million and will be financed from own sources, but also from a loan from Alpha Bank Romania, the company announced. 

The end of 2020 saw the completion of an investment transaction that will enable the future development of one of the largest logistics parks in the Czech Republic on the extensive land surrounding the D5 motorway near Pilsen. CBRE prepared and managed the disposal process on behalf of the Icelandic asset manager Kaupthing. CBRE in addition to advising on the sale, also assisted with land due diligence, feasibility study and provided technical advisory. The new owner of the land is retail chain Lidl.

The Industrial Agency of Colliers International Czech Republic completed the signature of a 15,688 sqm lease agreement for a German multinational engineering and technology company for industrial premises at CTPark Bor.

Over 650,000 sqm of logistics and industrial space were rented last year in Romania, almost 40% more than in 2019, a Dunwell analysis shows.

CTP is expanding its industrial park north of the Serbian capital, CTPark Belgrade North, following the purchase of a 28,500 sqm warehouse and adjacent land for further development from Austrian-based real estate developer Eyemaxx. As a result, the overall capacity of CTPark Belgrade North now stands at 50,000 sqm, with the landbank enabling to achieve about 115,000 sqm of leaseable space at the location.

In response to growing demand for logistics space on the domestic market, ConvergenCE has prepared a ready-made product in Tárnok, Hungary where the construction of an 8,000 sqm logistics hall can be started immediately.

The third fund of Czech investor Arete Group has acquired a modern, highly specialized production facility with a research and development centre and with the potential for further development in Kežmarok, Slovakia. The value of the investment exceeded €10 million.