Poland’s total industrial stock at the end of Q1 2020 amounted to over 18.95 million sqm (+15% y/y). The quarter’s solid results were driven by steady tenant demand as well as stable rental rates, which despite the growing COVID-19 pandemic maintained their height in most markets. On the investment side, only in Q1 2020, the volume of transactions was comparable with the whole of 2019.

Although plans related to the introduction of new projects will now be thoroughly verified, investors' interest in the hotel sector in Poland is still high. The latest report by consulting company Walter Herz shows that the number of categorized hotel facilities in Poland has increased by over 30% since 2012.

The industrial sector is considered one of the most resilient to the negative economic consequences of the Covid-19 outbreak as it benefits from the growing popularity of online shopping, especially in recent weeks. Although there is not much difference between market data for Q1 2020 and Q1 2019, opportunities and risks for the logistics sector resulting from the current situation will not be known until later months, depending on how the pandemic unfolds, according to Savills.

Retail which continues to evolve in response to changing consumer preferences and expectations has once again to adapt to the new reality quickly. The global pandemic has left many stores and restaurants shuttered. Industry forecasts that a number of brands will permanently close this year. Every day brings a set of new challenges as we navigate this unexpected crisis. How are the unprecedented challenges of the global pandemic impacting retail? Cushman & Wakefield Poland tried to answer this question in its latest report.

Starting April 2020, Colliers International has taken over the management of two new buildings in the High5ive office complex in Kraków.

At the end of the Q1 2020, the total supply of modern warehouse space in Poland exceeded the level of 19 million sqm. The Warsaw market (three zones) maintained its leading position and accounted for nearly 23% of the total supply in the country (4.3 million sqm), Colliers International reports.

The strong fundamentals of Warsaw’s office sector, coupled with no risk of oversupply and low vacancy rates, should enable the market to regain equilibrium relatively quickly after the slowdown. Cushman & Wakefield summarised Q1 2020 on the Warsaw office market.

Panattoni has allocated PLN 500,000 (around €110,000) to buy medical supplies for three hospitals. Institutions in Poznań, Białystok and Szczecin were chosen in consultation with the Ministry of Health. As part of the aid, the developer will provide medical masks, nitrile gloves, non-contact thermometers and packs of medical caps.

Generation Park Y, Skanska's highest office project in the CEE region, reached the target height of 140 metres. The building will offer 47,000 sqm GLA with completion planned for Q1 2021.

The COVID-19 crisis has accelerated the adaptation of technology on the residential market with developers across the region now offering digital solutions for prospective home-buyers. Waldemar Olbryk, Board Member responsible for the residential sector at Echo Investment shared his thoughts on the topic.