The 2026 ULI Europe Conference brought together real estate leaders to take stock of where the European market stands today and where it is heading. Across a series of sessions covering investment strategy, capital markets, climate risk and technology, several clear themes emerged. We report from Berlin to summarise the five most significant ones.

Munich-based Arcona Capital and Warsaw-listed Reino Capital have finalised terms for a strategic partnership to establish a pan-European investment platform. The collaboration leverages Arcona's operational presence in Prague and its roots in the Czech market to provide institutional investors with a vehicle for cross-border real estate investment.

As higher financing costs and slower economic growth force investors to become more selective, resilience has become one of the most important themes in real estate. But what makes an asset truly resilient today? Speakers at the closing panel of Prague Property Forum 2026 argued that the answer lies in adaptability, strong fundamentals and the ability to meet changing occupier needs, regardless of sector.

Poland's commercial real estate investment market has delivered increasing performance in the first five months of 2026, with total investment volume reaching approximately €2.3 billion across around 50 deals, according to Avison Young Poland. 

As traditional real estate sectors mature, investors are increasingly looking to residential rental housing, co-living, student accommodation and data centres for growth. While demand drivers remain strong, these sectors are still evolving, with questions around regulation, financing, market liquidity and operational models shaping investment decisions. At Future of Real Estate 2026, industry leaders discussed where the biggest opportunities lie and what needs to happen for these asset classes to scale further in Poland and across CEE.

Yitzhak Hagag, Co-founder & Chairman of Hagag Development Europe, spoke to Property Forum about the firm's strategic focus on diversifying into hospitality and energy while maintaining strong growth in its core office and residential segments. He noted that rental income rose by 32% as the company prepares for major luxury retail and hotel project deliveries.

Poland continues to attract investors from across Europe, but the profile of that capital is changing. As regional players become more active and some Western institutions take a more cautious approach, new opportunities are emerging across a range of sectors. Speakers of the first panel at Future of Real Estate 2026, a conference organised in Warsaw, agreed that the country’s strong economic fundamentals remain intact, but unlocking the next wave of growth will require greater market liquidity, larger investment platforms and a deeper pool of domestic and regional capital.

Hyprop Investments, South Africa's largest listed specialised shopping centre REIT, has agreed to acquire Galleria Burgas, a shopping centre located on Bulgaria's east coast, for €122.2 million before adjustments.

Wing-owned Witorp Kft. has signed a share purchase agreement to acquire Capital Square, a landmark office building in the Váci út business district of Budapest.

Budapest-based real estate developer TriGranit, in partnership with the DRFG Investment Group, has successfully acquired the Korzó Shopping Centre in Nyíregyháza, marking a significant expansion of its retail portfolio across CEE.