The amount of industrial space leased in key Central and Eastern European markets in 2016 was the largest ever recorded, totalling 5.7 million sqm. This represents a 25% increase over the preceding two years when about 4.5 million sqm was leased. The strong take-up among tenants was linked with an extensive new development at 2.2 million sqm. The findings are based on the research conducted by Cushman & Wakefield, which has been monitoring the industrial property market in the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia over an extended period.

Panattoni Europe is developing a fifth logistics centre for Amazon. The new facility featuring 135,000 sqm is being built in Sosnowiec in the region of Upper Silesia. Completion of the project is planned for October 2017.

CTP has announced a major energy saving initiative starting in logistics warehouse of DHL in CTPark Budapest South near Üllő. The entire property will be refitted with LED lighting by April 2017.

Arcona Capital, acting on behalf of the Jersey-based Belgravia European Fund, has completed the sale of the Fund’s residual industrial development site located in Chomutov, northern Bohemia, to VGP Group. The site, with planning permission for industrial use, is located next to the D7 motorway close to the town of Chomutov. 

An industrial area, located in Prague – Horní Počernice has been sold by Carrier to a private investor. The property has a total area of 12,621 sqm. It consists of an administrative building, two warehouses and plots for parking and material manipulation. It features 4,822 sqm of covered premises and offers possible future development.

Martin Hudak has been promoted to the position of Head of Industrial Agency at Cushman & Wakefield in Slovakia.

In most Central and Eastern European countries the commercial property market is heavily concentrated in the capital city and modern offices in secondary or tertiary cities are virtually non-existent. Luckily, that is not the case in the Czech Republic, where there are cities outside of Prague, most notably Brno, that offer attractive opportunities for international companies. Czech-based developer CTP invited us for the opening ceremony of the new Courtyard by Marriott hotel and showed us the city’s property market.

Goodman is now constructing a second modern warehouse building totalling 36,700 sqm in Pomeranian Logistics Centre. The company’s flagship development in Poland has already secured five new pre-lease agreements.

Prologis announced fourth quarter and full year 2016 activity in Europe. Prologis Europe ended the fourth quarter with 96.7 percent occupancy, an increase of 90 basis points over the course of 2016. The company signed new leases and renewals totalling 718,200 square metres in the fourth quarter and 3.5 million square metres in the full year 2016 – an increase in volume of 54 percent over 2015.

Panattoni Europe has expanded its team. The developer’s ranks have been joined by Adam Janus, who has taken the position of Business Development Director. He will be responsible for attracting new warehouse projects and aligning the developer’s services with the needs of clients and prospects.