Arkadiusz Rudzki, Executive Vice President, Leasing & Sales for Skanska’s commercial development business unit in CEE, talked to Property Forum about the duration of the supply gap in the Warsaw office market, the current interests of investment funds and Skanska’s Scandinavian approach to implementing the ESG principles.

According to the newest report by Newmark Polska, in the third quarter of 2023, office take-up in Poland’s regional city office markets reached nearly 200,000 sqm, while the development pipeline was below 400,000 sqm. High vacancy rates in existing office buildings mean that tenants have a wide choice of options. Both developers and tenants remain focused on ESG, functionality, flexibility and optimisation of office usage and lease costs.

The City Point office building in Prague 4 - Pankrác is changing hands. It is being transferred from the hands of the investment company Amundi Czech Republic to the ownership of the domestic operator of coworking spaces and serviced offices WorkLounge. Mint Investments Group was the investment advisor that handled the entire transaction for Amundi. Agents from real estate consultancy Cushman & Wakefield and law firm Havel & Partners also participated in the deal. The transaction was worth more than CZK 450 million (€18.25 million). 

Cushman & Wakefield has released a summary of office market conditions in Warsaw. This year’s development activity is expected to fall to its lowest in nearly 25 years amid a record number of leases, falling vacancy rates and the continued upward pressure on rental growth. 

KREO, Ghelamco’s newest project in Kraków, has received an occupancy permit. More than 24,000 sqm of office space awaits tenants.

Futureal has announced the acquisition of the Lipowy Office Park complex in Warsaw. In alignment with its strategy, the company plans to reposition the development by transforming it into a sustainable, human-centric, and modern office building. Linklaters has advised the seller on the transaction.

Hungary's office market has slowed down, tenants are more cautious. Sadly, it often results in drawn-out decision-making as tenants focus on safe solutions, fearing the unpredictability of the future. In consequence, there are more renewals and fewer relocations. However, demand for experienced advisors providing high-added value is ever-growing, as the alternative – rectifying a poor lease contract after it is signed – is difficult and expensive, says Valter Kalaus, Managing Partner of Newmark VLK Hungary.

Q3 2023 did not bring much positive news from the Prague office market. Since Q2 2022, no office buildings have been launched on the Prague real estate market and the future does not look promising either, according to the latest analysis by Prague Research Forum. 

Office availability in the Warsaw office market is shrinking, with the vacancy rate for the whole city down to 10.6% and to just over 9% in the centre, says Savills. Tenants are, however, likely to enjoy a wider choice of options once more office projects are restarted. This process is already slowly getting underway, as is clear from the growing development pipeline.

New office lease and renegotiation agreements were signed for 158,923 sqm during Q3 2023, up 36% compared to the previous quarter on the Bucharest market, according to data from Fortim Trusted Advisors, a member of the BNP Paribas Real Estate Alliance.