Europe's demand for data centre capacity is growing rapidly, driven by AI, digitalisation, and government targets. The European Commission aims to triple EU data centre capacity by 2035, while the UK government forecasts a need for at least 6 GW of AI-capable capacity by 2030. As more facilities are built, their water requirements are coming under closer scrutiny. "Alongside electricity, water will increasingly determine where and how data centres can be operated economically and sustainably," said Mathias Franke, Head of Data Centre Consulting at Drees & Sommer.

Prime office rents in Bucharest reached €23 per sqm per month in Q3 2026, a 9.5% year-on-year increase, according to Cushman & Wakefield Echinox. That compares with average growth of 5% across Europe and 7.3% in Central and Eastern Europe over the same period. The rise is driven by limited availability of quality space in the most sought-after submarkets, against a backdrop of new supply that is only gradually returning after two years without a single office completion.

Bratislava's office market recorded net take-up of 38,500 sqm in the third quarter of 2026, a 55% quarter-on-quarter increase, according to a report by CBRE Slovakia. Total leasing activity reached 53,800 sqm over the same period, remaining broadly stable compared with the previous quarter. The overall vacancy rate rose by 98 basis points quarter-on-quarter to 14.40%, though it edged down by 7 basis points year-on-year.

The return to the office, rising fit-out costs and growing expectations around employee experience are changing how companies choose their workplaces. At SEE Property Forum 2026 in Bucharest, industry experts discussed how landlords can respond through more flexible spaces, energy-efficient technologies and amenities that encourage employees to return, while occupiers increasingly prioritise long-term adaptability alongside location and cost.

AXI IMMO has appointed Piotr Kalisz as Head of Warsaw within its Office Advisory division, tasking him with developing the Warsaw tenant representation team and managing key client relationships. The appointment forms part of the company's broader strategy to expand its office advisory operations across Warsaw and regional markets.

Czech developer Amadeus Real Estate has received planning approval for its AMESIDE project in Plzeň, which will transform an unused site between Americká street, Denisovo nábřeží and the main railway station into a mixed-use district. Covering nearly 3.5 hectares, the development will combine residential, office, retail, food and beverage, and leisure uses alongside public open space. Construction costs are estimated at approximately CZK 8 billion. The architectural design was produced jointly by London-based Chapman Taylor and Czech studio AGE project.

Genesis Property scored 70.8 points in the GRESB 2026 assessment, up nearly 7 points from the previous year and 13.8 points above its first participation in 2024. The Romania-based office developer has retained its "Green Star" status for a third consecutive year. The result, based on 2025 performance data, reflects investments in building operational performance, with the company exceeding GRESB benchmarks in energy efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption.

Romanian investor Aurel Muntean has revived plans for Unirea Business Center in central Bucharest after a decade-long standstill. The revised scheme will offer 27,000 sqm of leasable office and retail space, with completion targeted for Q2 2028, Profit.ro reports.

Investors and developers are becoming more selective as financing conditions, operational costs and market uncertainty put pressure on returns. At SEE Property Forum 2026 in Bucharest, industry executives discussed investment opportunities across retail, logistics and hospitality, highlighting the growing importance of asset management, reliable operational data and technology in protecting property values.

Hines has completed the sale of Nestlé House, a Class A office building in Warsaw's Mokotów Business District, to Transitions Europe, an open-ended real estate investment fund (SCPI) managed by Arkéa REIM. The transaction marks the second disposal completed by the Hines Poland Sustainable Income Fund (HPSIF) in 2026.