In Q1 2020, the Centerscape group has purchased a retail property located in Gocław, Warsaw with an Aldi market as the anchor tenant on a rental area of 3,888 sqm.

Benson Elliot, a UK-based private equity real estate fund manager, acting on behalf of its pan-European fund, Benson Elliot Real Estate Partners V L.P. has acquired Marynarska Business Park (MBP), an office complex in Warsaw, from a fund managed by Heitman Real Estate. The price paid was c. €65 million.

Kinstellar has successfully advised its client, Ideal Projects (a joint venture between the Vetimex and Mirus groups) on the successful negotiation, signing, closing and refinancing of the Cluj-based Vivido, Advancity, and Cube office projects. This is the largest office acquisition outside Bucharest in Romania this year, with a total value exceeding €30 million.

The Arete investment and real estate group announced the opening of its third qualified investor fund, based in the Czech Republic and operating under the supervision of the Czech National Bank. This third fund is to follow on from the successful history of the preceding funds, with the first fund having been closed three years ago and investors paid off with a total gross appreciation of 120%, while the second fund has fulfilled its strategy with its current gross appreciation of over 90%. The new Arete fund will both invest into completed industrial real estate in Central and Eastern Europe and also itself construct new logistics and manufacturing buildings. Its portfolio target value should approach €500 million during the anticipated six-year investment cycle.

Allianz announced its intention to combine the strengths of PIMCO, one of the world’s premier fixed income investment managers, and Allianz Real Estate, the captive real estate specialist with more than €70 billion of assets under management. This organic move is proposed to strengthen its Alternatives capability by creating one of the world’s most preeminent real estate managers. It will manage over €100 billion in core, value-add and opportunistic real estate across Europe, the US and the Asia-Pacific Region.

CPI Property Group announced the acquisition of Equator I office building in Warsaw from Immofinanz. The investors previously acquired the Equator IV office building in Warsaw from Karimpol Polska.

Poland is a major target for international capital with investment volumes in 2019 accounting for 55% of the CEE6 total. The Czech Republic followed with a 24% share and Hungary with 13%. Elsewhere in the region, volumes fell short of 2018 & 2017 volumes. Despite record low yields in most markets and sectors, some further yield compression is anticipated over the next 12 months as strong levels of capital seek product and returns. Colliers International published its investment market summary for 2019.

Pasaż Chełmiński, modern retail park, in the main shopping area in Chełmno, has been sold by TUF Real Estate to LCP Properties. Avison Young’s investment team represented the buyer in the transaction.

Revetas Capital Advisors and Cerberus Capital Management have put the Landmark office building in central Bucharest up for sale.  

Demand for alternative residential investments, mainly student housing and residential-for-rent, is clearly growing in Central & Eastern Europe with countries like Poland offering great opportunities for developers. More than 130 real estate professionals came together at the first-ever Alternative Investment Forum, organized by CEE event and intelligence hub Property Forum, in Warsaw.