After the excellent results recorded in 2017, Warsaw's office market continued performing well in Q1 2018. Vacancy rates are decreasing while demand stands at 202,000 sqm. 770,000 sqm of office space is under construction. There is also a growing demand for flexible space, and state-of-the-art technological solutions. JLL summarised the situation on the Warsaw office market at the end of Q1 2018.

The Polish government’s bill on supporting new investments will introduce new regulations on state aid and operation of Special Economic Zones (SEZs). It is estimated that the proposed amendments will attract more than PLN 2.5 billion worth of investments in the first year of the new regulations being in force and result in 200,000 new jobs created within ten years. Michał Rafałowicz, Head of the Pomeranian Region at Cresa Poland analysed the impact of the new SEZ act.

JLL has been selected by Immofinanz as the property manager of the Park Postępu office complex in Warsaw. JLL took over management of the building on 1st April 2018.

Colliers International will provide property management services to the Europejski multifunctional project in Warsaw - former Hotel Europejski. The historic building at Krakowskie Przedmieście will house high-class office, retail and service space, in addition to a luxury hotel.

pbb Deutsche Pfandbriefbank provided an investment facility of €74 million to companies owned by Newbridge for the acquisition of three shopping malls in Poland, namely Bielawy in Toruń, Guliwer in Łódź and Czyżyny in Kraków.

Penta Investments closed 2017 with a profit of €236 million and its portfolio companies' total assets grew by 6 % to €9 billion. Fortuna, Dr.Max , Prima banka and Privatbanka were the most profitable companies, Penta Real Estate's development activities also contributed to the success. The largest expenditure was allocated for investment in the retail, real estate, healthcare and manufacturing sectors.

JLL has been selected as the exclusive leasing agent for Infinity - an office scheme in Wrocław which will offer over 22,000 sqm of space. Avestus Real Estate and Tristan Capital Partners are responsible for the execution of the investment.

Panattoni Europe will develop its third manufacturing facility for Ideal Automotive. This time, the factory will be built in Świdnica, at the Wałbrzych Special Economic Zone Invest-Park, and will take up approx. 27,400 sqm. Construction works will commence as early as this April, and are scheduled for completion in Q4 of this year. The lease was mediated by the advisory firm Colliers International.

Polish developer Katharsis Development sold a portfolio of five retail parks, recognized under the brand “HopStop”, to CPI Property Group. Disposal advisory was conducted exclusively by Apleona GVA.

Globalworth has announced the execution of a second loan agreement with its subsidiary, Globalworth Poland (GPRE). The loan is being made available to GPRE for a refinancing of the existing financial indebtedness of GPRE and its subsidiaries and the potential acquisition of two new assets currently under due diligence while offering a more flexible capital structure for the expansionary phase that GPRE is in.