After a year from the beginning of the pandemic, investors are continuing their strategies adjusted to the new market conditions. Most of them are focusing mainly on safe, predictable investments. This year Avison Young has observed the third-best opening ever with almost €1.3 billion transacted in 31 deals during the first quarter of 2021.

The Q1 2021 results of the RICS Global Commercial Property Monitor indicate a slightly less negative market sentiment across Europe compared to the previous quarter. Rental growth expectations remain negative within the office and retail sectors across all European nations covered, while the outlook for industrial markets has never been more positive.

Growthpoint Properties Limited, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Oak Hill Advisors responded to the unilateral announcement by CPI Property Group and Aroundtown of a firm intention to make a cash offer for the share capital of Globalworth.

The volume of new real estate investments in Romania amounted to €98 million in the first quarter of 2021, driven by the office and industrial segments. The investments were down 19% compared to the same period of 2020, according to a report by CBRE. 

GTC has decided to boost its Hungarian portfolio again by investing €160 million in the acquisition of two office properties in Budapest, the Ericsson HQ and the Siemens Evosoft HQ, both developed by local company Wing.

The industrial and logistics sector continues with strong momentum while large scale office transactions have slowed in European investment volumes, as many countries saw overall activity halve in comparison to Q1 2020, notes Colliers. In Poland, liquidity is returning to the office market, which can be confirmed by the number of transactions.

Warsaw's office sector saw the lowest volume of space under construction in 11 years along with relatively low tenant activity. However, the business services sector provides hope for the future. JLL has summarised the situation in the Warsaw office market at the end of the first quarter of 2021.

On 14 April 2021, CPI Property Group S.A. and Aroundtown SA unilaterally announced a firm intention to make a cash offer for the share capital of Globalworth not already owned or controlled by them at €7.00 per Globalworth share. On 19 April 2021, Globalworth announced the formation of an independent committee of the Board to evaluate the offer.

The Czech market is still slow in comparison to previous years. Market fundamentals remain good, as does the demand for core and core+ assets, but the market is experiencing limited supply of the right investment product, according to the latest capital markets report by Colliers.

Echo Investment finalised the acquisition of a majority stake in Wrocław-based company Archicom, thus becoming the largest residential developer in Poland as the Echo-Archicom group.