Just because technology can do something does it necessarily mean that we want it to? This was just one of the many topics that Czech professionals discussed at the latest RICS event in Prague which analysed the rapidly evolving relationship of property and technology.

The area of shared offices in Prague will grow by 66% year-on-year. At the end of 2017 the total area was 16,500 sqm, and in 2018 it will increase to 27,500 sqm as the market delivers 11,000 sqm. The majority of these centres have been pre-leased. Shared offices are used in the regions as well. There are 76 coworking centres across the Czech Republic with a total area in excess of 25,000 sqm. According to Cushman & Wakefield’s estimates, the current area of shared offices will double by 2020.

Cushman & Wakefield is expanding its Project & Development Services (PDS) team, to include a new C&W Design + Build platform. In Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), the new service will be headed by Glyn Evans, based in Prague.

New projects are building up slowly, the number of commenced constructions are declining and high demand remains. At the end of last year, approximately 8,100 units were under construction in Prague. This is the lowest result since 2014. The total number of completions reached 6,176 apartments which is 5% below 2016 levels. 2018 will most probably not bring a major change, rather the opposite. In 2018, the construction of around 3,800 new flats will commence, the lowest figure since 2009. About 5,000 units will be completed, marking a significant decline compared to 2017.

The Czech hospitality market has been achieving above-average performance rates thanks to a steadily growing number of tourists. This has had a positive effect on hospitality properties whose yields ranging between 6% and 7% are noticeably higher than the yields in other commercial sectors, specifically retail, office and industrial. They are also attractive with rents guaranteed for a long time. As a result, converting office space into hospitality facilities is becoming a frequent choice among both domestic and international investors. Czech operators can compete with foreign ones quite capably and tend to be the preferred choice for hotel owners. Just about 14% of the local market operators are international brands.

One of the fastest growing co-working chains has announced its entry into the Czech market. Business Link, hosted by Skanska, will open its first location in Prague in July of this year. At the Visionary office building located in Prague 7, the company will offer around 4,700 sqm of co-working space, including space for approx. 100 people, 159 private offices, and five conference rooms.

Prologis has already fully leased its new 28,300 sqm speculative facility now under construction at Prologis Park Prague-Uzice in the Czech Republic. Construction of Building 3 began in January 2018 and was launched due to high demand for space at the fully occupied park.

Curzon Capital Partners III (CCP III), a core plus Fund advised by Tristan Capital Partners, has completed a €64 million sale of Praha City Center office to Amundi Asset Management.

REICO, on behalf of ČS nemovitostní fond, has sold the Táborská 31 office building in Prague 4, one of the longest holdings in its portfolio. The 8,144 sqm building was purchased by 100 Towers Holding.

International Campus AG, a specialist in micro-living products, is continuing its growth in Europe and expanding into the Czech Republic. In a joint venture with Czech project developer Karlín Group, International Campus has acquired a development project in the Holešovice district of Prague with 529 high-quality apartments for students. It has been agreed not to disclose the purchase price. The building that is to become “THE FIZZ Prague” will have a gross floor area above ground level of 16,529 square metres over eight floors. The opening is planned for Q1 2020.