Victor Constantinescu, Managing Partner of Kinstellar Bucharest, talked to Property Forum about this year’s environment for property investments in CEE and Romania’s emerging profile as a hub in the region which will generate more development across the economy, including the property and clean energy sectors.

Panattoni has been granted a €27.5 million loan by Berlin Hyp to finance a distribution centre in Zakroczym developed for Action. The centre, which is to supply 160 stores from the chain and employ around 300 people, was constructed as a BTS (built-to-suit) development.

CTP has appointed Peter Čerešník as COO. In his new position, he will oversee the company’s construction GLA and occupancy targets, developing CTP’s energy business into a reliable revenue stream and further progressing the areas of procurement, business development and HR strategy. 

Since the second half of 2022, Savills has seen an increase in demand from manufacturing companies for modern warehouse space in the Czech Republic, accounting for 57% of the total space leased in the first quarter of 2023. One of the reasons why demand from this sector is growing is "nearshoring", i.e., the shift of production from Asia back to Europe. During Covid-19, demand was significantly driven by the e-commerce sector, which at its peak in Q3 2021, accounted for up to 62%. However, over the last three quarters, e-commerce activity has declined significantly and, as of Q1 2023, is now at 6%. Given uncertain energy supply and costs, and thanks to government support of renewable energy, demand from this sector is also growing significantly.

Around 650,000 sqm of industrial and logistics spaces are under development in Romania, which once completed will be added to the stock of 6.3 million sqm that was operational at the end of 2022, according to a Colliers report.

Panattoni has signed a new lease contract for the Panattoni City Dock Törökbálint complex, which opened in May. Food wholesaler and distributor Bidfood will lease two-thirds of Building A.

CTP has signed three new deals totalling 31,750 sqm at CTPark Budapest West and CTPark Komárom, both located close to Hungary’s capital city Budapest.

In ten years since entering the Karlovy Vary Region, Accolade Group has invested in a total of nearly 300,000 sqm of production, e-commerce and logistics space. The value of completed and handed-over projects exceeds €316 million and properties worth approximately €380 million are currently under construction. The Group's activities are leading to wage growth and a wider range of jobs. In addition to the projects in Cheb, the group recently completed the first building in a new industrial estate in Ostrov.

Garbe Industrial Real Estate CEE has signed a lease agreement comprising 18,000 sqm with GPV, an electronics manufacturing services partner. GPV will occupy the entire building in the Garbe Green Park Piešťany. The building is currently under construction and will be finished this month. Adjustments related to the customer’s operation will be completed by the end of the year. This park that is located 80 kilometres from Bratislava will be fully let and developed.

Panattoni has launched the development of another manufacturing plant in the Silesia region. The developer is to provide a BTS centre in Knurów to Fortaco Group, the European provider of heavy off-road machinery and maritime industry solutions.