In Q1 2017 a total of 970,000 sqm was leased on the warehouse market in Poland, 42% more than in Q1 2016. Developers put into operation 475,000 sqm and over 1.4 million sqm are under construction. Results for the first quarter of 2017 allow optimistic forecasts for the coming months according to AXI IMMO’s latest report.

CTP continued its expansion on the Hungarian market through the acquisition of Rozália Park, a 57,800 sqm logistics scheme directly adjacent the M1 motorway to the west of Budapest. The seller was Challenger. 

On behalf of its clients, CBRE Global Investors has bought Prologis Park Ostrava from Prologis for an undisclosed sum. The 65,910 sqm complex, comprising two buildings, on the D1 motorway has now been renamed Ostrava Logistics Park. It is fully leased to five tenants.

Panattoni Europe is building a production facility for Reuss Seifert, German-based supplier of components for the construction industry. The facility featuring in excess of 30,000 sqm is going up in Nowa Sól, at the Kostrzyn-Słubice Special Economic Zone. The contract was mediated by CBRE.

P3 has celebrated the raising of the last pillar of a new, 31,904 sqm warehouse at P3 Poznań park in Poland’s rapidly developing Gądki logistics area. One-third of the building - 10,000 sqm - will be occupied by British American Tobacco Polska. The BAT space, which will be commissioned in August 2017, is being designed to meet the company’s specific needs. The remaining space is being built on speculative basis.

After record-breaking 2016, there are still good prospects ahead of Poland’s warehouse market. Regional markets will gain in attractiveness owing to the improving transport infrastructure, availability of investment lands and employees that begin to lack on the most popular markets – according to a report by Colliers International entitled “New locations, new possibilities. Logistic centres vs. labour market”, which was prepared in cooperation with Randstad Poland. 

Panattoni Europe announced the sale of Panattoni Park Warszawa–Konotopa, located in the Warsaw region. The multi-tenant logistics centre comprises two buildings totalling close to 50,000 sqm and is fully leased. After the sales transaction is completed, Panattoni Europe will retain responsibility for managing the park. 

M7 Real Estate has acquired a further circa. €20 million of assets in Budapest, on behalf of its first Central European fund for third party investors, M7 CEREF I. This follows the Fund completing its final close, reaching its target raise of €60 million of investor capital in April 2017, as well as the agreement of a €68.5 million senior debt facility with Starwood European Real Estate Finance.  

Central European industrial markets have a bright future ahead of them but regulatory issues and labour shortage can pose a threat to further growth in many countries. The speakers of the first ever Prague Property Summit analysed the potential of the market from a European perspective.

CTP signed several new leases in Hungary in the first quarter of 2017 which means that construction is now underway in four different locations in the Transdanubia region. The real estate developer, present in Hungary since early 2016, now manages an industrial property portfolio of about 300,000 sqm.