The stock of industrial and logistics space in Bucharest has doubled between 2015 and 2020 with the capital of Romania being the most dynamic market in the Central and Eastern European region and a logistic regional hub throughout the analyzed period, according to Cushman & Wakefield Echinox.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused chaos across the global economy. Within the commercial real estate market, logistics has weathered this storm better than other sectors, allowing planning of new developments to gradually resume following price corrections. Changes in financing conditions for real estate development may alter the new supply structure, with a likely increase in demand for BTO (build to own) and BTS (build to suit) development projects and a decline in speculative schemes, according to advisory firm Axi Immo.

DIY retail group XLMX, the company that controls furniture stores KIKA, Möbelix and XXXLutz, has leased 25,000 sqm in P3 Lovosice, located between Prague and the Czech-German border. The new hall will serve as a central warehouse for stores in the Czech Republic and other European markets.

The construction of the first warehouse in accordance with 7R’s new 7R Green eco-concept is underway. The facility is being built in the BTS formula for logistics operator No Limit in the 7R Park Sosnowiec complex in Sosnowiec, Poland. The green solutions applied in the project will help to minimize No Limit’s environmental impact.

According to the latest Cresa Poland report, the first quarter of this year recorded very positive results for the warehouse and industrial market. Total stock at the end of the quarter exceeded 19 million sqm – an increase of 16.2% as compared to the corresponding quarter of 2019.

Logistics operator DSV Solutions will take up close to 12,000 sqm at A2 Warsaw Park – the largest warehousing/manufacturing complex in the Warsaw region. The tenant will move into the building next November, after being given early access in July. DSV Solutions will use the leased space to conduct logistics operations for the fashion industry.

Retailers active in grocery, healthcare, consumer and diversified products will lead a sharp rise in demand for logistics real estate in the next two to three years as industries across the board implement lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and adapt their supply chains to the “new normal”, Prologis predicts in a new research report.

Element Industrial announced the launch of Eli Xpress, a new line of business based on the concept of proximity storage. Eli Xpress warehouses will offer areas between 6,000 and 12,000 square meters and will be located close to large cities, or even inside cities.

Romanian developer Global Vision has launched the developments of a new logistics park near Henri Coanda International Airport in Bucharest. Bucharest Airport Park will offer 13,520 sqm of space in two warehouses. The complex is being built on a 35,000 sqm land parcel, which the developer purchased last year for more than €5 million.

Panattoni will build a dedicated facility for Weber, US manufacturer of grills and accessories. The 50,000-square-metre BTS (built-to-suit) facility will be developed in Zabrze and the tenant will move into in August 2021.