Property investment volumes for the CEE region totalled €10.4 billion in 2020, 24% below 2019 levels. Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary all saw year-over-year declines in volumes. Romania, Slovakia and Bulgaria all saw increases. By comparison, EMEA  volumes are estimated to be down by ca. 27% YoY but Colliers’ latest reports indicates a strong rebound in 2021. Investor appetite remains strong for 2021 for the CEE region but will continue to be challenged by available product and the varying impact of COVID on certain sectors.

2020 was a good year for the Romanian transaction market, with a volume that approached the threshold of €1 billion. Most of the transactions concluded were for office buildings, with a volume of €784 million. Although estimates for 2021 are more modest, we can expect the sale of several important assets to go through this year. Property Forum lists the office buildings in Bucharest that could change owners in the next 12 months.

Gran Via Real Estate announced the acquisition of a new plot in Bucharest for residential development. 

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, dealmakers are broadly positive about the prospects for M&A in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe (CEE/SEE), according to a new survey from Wolf Theiss and Mergermarket. Just over half (52%) of respondents said that the health crisis will increase their appetite for deals in the next 12 months.

CBRE Hungary has assisted Henkel in the sale of its Budapest headquarters in District 11 of the capital’s Buda side, the company announced on Linkedin. The buyer’s name and the transaction price have not been disclosed. 

Immofinanz CEO Ronny Pecik has signed as agreement to sell his stake in the Austrian company and consequently intends to submit his resignation from Immofinanz’s executive board.

Belgian company WDP, which is developing logistics and industrial spaces, has €116 million worth ongoing projects locally, according to data from the 2020 financial report. Last year, WDP finalised 223,000 sqm of logistics after an investment of €134 million.

Brothers Adrian and Dragoș Pavăl, the owners of the retailer Dedeman, took over 70% of the company through which the businessman Ionuț Dumitrescu develops a logistics park in Craiova under the Eli Parks brand, Profit.ro informs.   

In the first half of January, investors subscribed to new four-year bonds of Czech development company Trigema in the total amount of €11.5 million (CZK 300 million). The purpose of the issue is to finance the company's development activities.

Atenor has signed an agreement relating to the acquisition of another plot in District XI of Budapest, under 20 Hengermalom Road, with an area of 8,326 sqm. The plot is next to Atenor’s planned project, BakerStreet, and similarly, a Class A+ office building will be developed on it as Phase II of BakerStreet.