Modern mixed-use complexes, open to social interactions and meeting local needs, which today are winning over traditional office buildings, set the direction for the development of investments in the commercial sector 

Savills Investment Management has entered into an agreement to form a strategic investment alliance with Samsung Life, the leading life insurer in Korea, and its real estate asset management subsidiary Samsung SRA. As part of this agreement, Samsung Life will acquire a minority interest in Savills IM Holdings Limited and commit capital of US$1 billion to Savills IM's investment strategies over the initial four years of the relationship. The transaction, which is conditional on various regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, is expected to complete in Q4, 2021.

Hungarian investor Indotek Group is ready to spend hundreds of millions of euros on diversifying its portfolio geographically. Krisztián Hornok, Transaction Director and Florin Tirla, Country Head for Romania & Bulgaria shared with Property Forum the details of the company’s ambitious international expansion strategy and also discussed the pandemic’s effects on the attractiveness of different asset classes.

According to Savills latest research, London City and West End, Paris and Warsaw’s office markets appear most attractively priced in Europe this year due to the opportunity for yield compression and/or attractive yield spreads to risk free rates.

The finalisation of the purchase of a controlling stake in Archicom, the sale of 463 apartments and handing over 154 apartments to clients, the start of leasing of two completed Resi4Rent projects in Warsaw, maintaining average leasing in all completed Resi4Rent buildings at the level exceeding 95%, as well as the sale of the Villa Offices building in Warsaw Brewery – this is a summary of Echo Investment's operating activities in the first quarter of 2021. During this time, the Group generated €5.46 million (PLN 24.5 million) of net profit.

The Independent Committee of the Globalworth Board has published its response circular in connection with the unsolicited cash offer by CPI Property Group S.A. and Aroundtown SA at €7.00 per Globalworth share. The Independent Committee continues to believe that the offer significantly undervalues Globalworth, its assets and its prospects.

The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) has provided a loan worth €10 million to Garanti BBVA Consumer Finance. The funding will support residential investments in energy improvements and resource efficiency. 

Czech real estate developer and investor Crestyl, together with investment management firm Cornerstone Partners, completed the acquisition of Polish residential developer Budimex Nieruchomości. Budimex Nieruchomości was a subsidiary of Poland's largest construction group, Budimex SA, owned by the Spanish infrastructure giant Ferrovial.

Heimstaden subsidiary, Heimstaden Bostad AB, is to buy a newly-built residential portfolio with 2,496 homes in Poland for €305 million (SEK 3.1 billion) from leading Polish residential development company, Budimex.

BentallGreenOak, a leading global real estate investment management advisor and provider of real estate services, has announced the acquisition of a logistics park comprising three well-located, high-quality warehouses in Gdańsk, Poland. This marks the firm’s first investment in the Polish market, as it continues to expand its presence across Europe.