JLL has announced that Robert Paulson has been appointed Head of Capital Markets for the Czech Republic. In a move to support the growth and evolution of its Capital Markets business across the region, Rob’s appointment is effective immediately.

Investment transactions in Romania’s commercial property sector amounted to €656 million in the first three quarters of 2022, which was up 16.5% compared to the same period of last year, with offices driving deal volumes, according to real estate consultancy JLL Romania. 

Retail parks and convenience centers emerged as the most resilient retail sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, with customers putting an emphasis on quick and efficient shopping. The development of the Polish retail market continues apace, with the retail park format taking the lead in terms of stock expansion. In H1 2022, developers completed 183,200 sqm of GLA of new retail space, 66% of which was delivered in the form of retail parks and convenience centers dedicated to everyday, quick shopping. However, another 341,700 sqm of GLA is expected to enter the market by the end of 2022, with retail parks accounting for 53% of this total. 2022 could well be another record-breaking year for this segment in terms of space delivered to the market.

As many as 60% of office workers want a hybrid model of work, with 55% having previously worked in this manner. The pandemic has introduced revolutionary changes in the way we work, forcing companies to rapidly adapt to this shift in working patterns. After more than two years, the time has come to reflect and develop a working model that both supports an organisation’s business goals and responds to employees’ expectations. 

JLL has introduced a seven-person international Sustainability Services and ESG team. The team will focus on consultancy in both topics due to the constantly rising demand for sustainability services in the real estate sector.

At the end of June 2022, the supply of modern retail space in the Czech Republic amounted to almost 3.97 million sqm. Shopping centres take about 67%, retail parks 31% and outlets the remaining 2% of the market. During the first six months of 2022, the retail park construction boom has not stopped yet and the retail market expanded by 19,500 sqm. Over the last five years, the share of retail parks has increased by 5%. The largest completed project in the first six months of this year was Shopping Centre Řepy in Prague. Another 52,300 sqm of retail space is currently under construction across 12 projects, of which 31,200 sqm is expected to be completed this year, says JLL in its retail market report for Q2 2022.

In Q2 2022, Prague's current office space volume reached 3,75 million sqm and 215,700 sqm is under construction. It is expected that the construction volume will increase by 74,000 sqm of office space by the end of 2022. Rents grew by 18% y-o-y and further growth in coming periods is also expected, JLL's Prague Office Market Q2 report says.

As much as PLN 750,000 was raised during the 11th edition of the Real Estate Charity Beach Volleyball Tournament organized by JLL. The funds raised at the event were donated to Polish Humanitarian Action and the Women's Rights Center Foundation. Property Forum supported the event as a media partner.

With 83 companies, 1256 tickets sold and 56 teams, after a two-year break, JLL Poland is back to organising its flagship event – the 11th Real Estate Charity Beach Volleyball Tournament 2022. This year's tournament will take place this Thursday, August 4th at Monta Beach Volley Club at 12 M. Zaruski Street in Warsaw. Property Forum is a media partner of the event

In the second quarter of this year, a total of 9,200 new apartments were sold in the six largest markets, 11.7% less than in the previous quarter and as much as 53% down on the same period in 2021. The drop in sales is mainly due to higher mortgage interest rates and tighter credit rating regulations. As shown in the JLL report which summarises the previous quarter, despite the reduced interest in purchasing flats in the market, housing prices continued to rise.