While the first results show that the GDP grew by 5.2% q-o-q in Q3 in the Czech Republic, the second wave of COVID-19 has forced the government to re-impose strict containment measures to curb the spread of the virus. Retail sales grew during the summer as they reached pre-pandemic levels. However, consumer confidence fell for a second consecutive month in September, while a worsening labour market outlook and a resurgence of new infections will mean households keep more precautionary savings as well as denting income. On the other hand, industrial production resumed growth in September and is likely to underpin economic growth as it is less exposed to the pandemic. Cushman & Wakefield summarised the situation in each market segment.

AFI Europe Serbia is launching on the construction of the Skyline Omnia office tower on Belgrade’s Kneza Milosa. The project, worth €73 million, will see the completion of 132-metre high office tower with 31 floors, covering nearly 40,000 sqm.

Echo Investment has gained a loan for the construction of three office buildings included in the multifunctional Fuzja project in Łódź. Bank Pekao S.A. provided financing for the investment.

The Flow Building, Flow East’s development on Wenceslas Square, has become the first building in the Czech Republic to achieve a BREEAM “Outstanding” rating – the highest possible rating – under the latest assessment scheme version.

According to a report published by Cresa Poland, the vacancy rate on Poznań’s office market stood at 13.3% at the end of Q3 2020, down by 1.2 pp on the second quarter. It is the only office market in Poland to have recorded a quarterly fall in vacancies.

Resolution Property has completed the acquisition of a ca. 37,200 sqm office portfolio in Budapest, Hungary. The portfolio is comprised of two fully let, recently refurbished, Class A office buildings, Margit Palace and Buda Square, acquired from CEE-focused Hungarian fund manager Adventum Ltd.

Warburg-HIH Invest Real Estate GmbH has kicked off the process of converting its European real estate portfolio to green energy. The Hamburg-based investment manager successfully implemented the new energy supply for the LEED Platinum-certified White House office building in the Hungarian capital of Budapest in partnership with operating costs expert Westbridge International AG. The move will cut the building’s carbon emissions by just under 2,700 tonnes within the next three years. The fully let building is part of an open-ended special alternative investment fund (AIF) managed by Warburg-HIH Invest.

Cushman & Wakefield will act as the sole agent responsible for the commercialisation of the Łódź 1 office building of the Prime Holdings Group.

The Mennica Legacy Tower high-rise, located at the junction of Prosta and Żelazna streets in Warsaw’s Wola district, has obtained a valid occupancy permit. The main tenant, mBank, will move into the 140-metre-tall building as early as November.

Impact Developer & Contractor has started the construction works of the fourth phase of the Greenfield Băneasa residential compound. This will include Impact's first commercial project, Greenfield Plaza, with 7,258 sqm of space for trade and services and 1,184 sqm of office space. The entire project has a value of €12 million and it will be built with RCTI Company s.r.l. with which Impact signed a contract worth €7.5 million. At the same time, Impact is also investing €500,000 in the green areas of its Luxuria Residence compound located in Bucharest’s Expoziției area.