Property Forum’s upcoming free-to-attend virtual event aims to answer some of the many questions around the future of workplaces. As the pandemic has forced many employees into remote working, many offices around the world sit empty and nobody’s sure when they’ll be filled with life again. One thing seems certain: the way we design, build, use and operate offices will change forever. The question is: how?

AFI Europe has signed an agreement for the purchase of Avenir Business Park in Prague 5 owned by Tristan Capital Partners. The office complex, offering more than 25,600 sqm of premium office space, is close to 100% occupancy. Among its tenants are companies such as CSOB, ING, Porsche, McDonald’s, Dermacol and Coloplast.

CEE-based flex office operator New Work continues to expand in Hungary and has opened its 7th business centre in Budapest. The company has signed for 2,000 sqm of office space in the Science Park office building in South Buda.

In February 2021, the N3 building of GTC’s Green Heart office complex in Belgrade has obtained a LEED Gold certificate, thus finalising the certification process for the whole complex. Completed in 2020, Green Heart comprises five Class A buildings providing 46,300 sqm of office space.

Last year, international law firm Kinstellar played a vital part in closing two of the largest transactions on the office market in Romania: Floreasca Park, sold to Resolution Property (member of the Fosun Group) and Zeus Capital for more than €100 million and two Class A office buildings owned by Skanska sold to S Immo for €97 million. This was in addition to a series of deals in logistics and other asset classes. Property Forum talked to Victor Constantinescu, Managing Partner of the Bucharest office and Co-Head of the firm-wide Real Estate Practice, about how the first year of the pandemic was and what’s next.

Pavăl Holding, the group controlled by the founders of DIY chain Dedeman, will have a new HQ in Bucharest. The holding is revamping Vila Hlebnikian that will serve as its main office. Construction works on the 2,800 sqm building will be completed by 2023, according to Profit.ro.   

The first phase of Atenor’s BakerStreet office project in District 11 of Budapest has received the final building permit. Located at the intersection of Szerémi and Hengermalom Roads, BakerStreet Phase 1 will be implemented as a Class A+ office development on 17,000 sqm and will be handed over in Q1 2023.

Immofinanz has sold four office buildings in Warsaw to the Indotek Group, a Hungarian real estate firm. The buildings have a total rental space of approximately 45,300 sqm. The sales price amounts to €72.5 million.

Czech investment fund Investika has appointed real estate advisory firm Savills as property manager for its new acquisition Szyperska Office Center in Poznań. Savills will also once again act as an office leasing agent for the building after a short break.

Real estate developer Hanner has inked a partnership with a restaurant operator that will join the Fosta Fabrică mixed-use project, located near the Gara de Nord railway station in Bucharest. The company will invest over €40 million in the complex project, which includes the restoration and conversion of four monument buildings.