Property Forum is proud to present the second edition of its annual publication, once again celebrating the movers and shakers shaping the constantly evolving CEE real estate market. To access the publication, please click here.

Property Forum is excited to announce the winners of its annual CEE Property Forum Awards for 2025. The winners of each category were selected from our shortlist by the jury committee, comprising leading players in the CEE real estate industry. The awards, celebrating the best projects, most impactful transactions and most inspiring personalities of the CEE market, were presented at our awards gala in Vienna, part of the annual CEE Property Forum conference.

Older buildings usually consume more energy in operation than new construction. That is not only a cost issue. It also affects how an asset performs against market standards like BREEAM, EU Taxonomy, and CRREM, as well as regulations such as the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the rules for Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS). Many owners assume the only way to close the gap is a major refurbishment. Better insulation and new equipment certainly help, but they are expensive and disruptive. Investments in deep fabric and equipment upgrades can reach one to five percent of the asset value.

The Czech Republic's commercial real estate investment market is on track for one of its most successful years in history, with transactions worth €2.46 billion completed in the first nine months of 2025, Colliers reports.

NEPI Rockcastle delivered strong operational performance in the third quarter of 2025, with net operating income rising 12.3% year-on-year to €461.3 million for the first nine months. The retail real estate company maintained low vacancy rates at 1.6% and achieved collection rates of 99%.

The closing panel of SEE Property Forum 2025 in Bucharest, moderated by Victor Constantinescu from Kinstellar, brought together leading local players to assess sentiment, shifting asset preferences, and the practical steps investors must take to navigate the year ahead. The panellists examined where capital is moving, what risks remain most pressing, and how legal, geopolitical, and market dynamics will shape investment decisions across Romania and CEE.

Belgrade's rental market remains stable with no significant changes compared to previous years, according to an analysis by real estate agency Cordon based on 1,000 apartment listings from November 2025.

At the SEE Property Forum 2025 in Bucharest, leading voices from Romania’s residential real estate sector came together to shed light on how developers, investors, and buyers are adapting to a period of economic uncertainty, rising construction costs, and shifting consumer priorities. From the growing appeal of build-to-rent and integrated communities to the urgent need for regulatory reform, the panel offered a forward-looking view of a market that is evolving rapidly yet remains defined by strong fundamentals and an enduring demand for quality homes.

The third quarter of 2025 confirmed a continued decline in demand in the Slovak industrial property market. Total leasing activity amounted to 64,365 sqm, with net take-up representing 50,615 sqm. The vacancy rate rose to 7.72%, the highest level in recent years, according to the latest quarterly report from 108 Real Estate.

Investment activity in the Czech commercial real estate market is now primarily driven by domestic capital, while in the long-term trend, local capital accounted for one third of the total investment volume. Over the past three years, however, the balance has shifted this year, and Czech investors represent 80% of all transactions completed to date, according to a Savills analysis.