The post-pandemic office market has fundamentally changed, and across the globe, landlords are facing the same uncomfortable reality: buildings that once hummed with activity are now significantly underoccupied, and the task of getting people back is proving far harder than anyone anticipated. The question is no longer whether the way we work has changed, because it clearly has, but rather what the right response looks like for those who own and manage commercial property, writes Jerzy Brodzikowski, General Manager of CIC Warsaw, in an opinion piece for Property Forum.

GTC reported rental and service revenue of €53 million in Q1 2026, up 7% from €50 million in Q1 2025, driven by 4% like-for-like growth in rental income. The increase was primarily supported by higher rents in Poland, particularly in shopping malls, as well as strong performance from properties in Sofia and Belgrade.

Rising borrowing costs and a more uncertain economic outlook have undoubtedly changed the way real estate projects are financed, but market participants suggested that access to debt remains relatively healthy for the right opportunities. The focus has shifted from chasing growth to assessing resilience, with lenders placing greater emphasis on cash flow, sector fundamentals and sponsor quality. These themes dominated the financing discussion at Prague Property Forum 2026.

At Prague Property Forum 2026, industry leaders from across the property and facility management ecosystem examined how digital tools are changing the way buildings are operated, valued and experienced. The discussion moved beyond the usual AI hype to focus on the real challenges behind transformation: organisational culture, data quality, workforce readiness and the growing expectation for buildings to function as responsive service platforms rather than static assets. While technologies such as AI, automation and occupancy analytics are advancing rapidly, the panel agreed that long-term success will depend less on the tools themselves and more on how effectively companies integrate them into everyday operations, decision-making and user experience.

At Prague Property Forum 2026, the residential panel, chaired by Radek Kučera, brought together leading public and private-sector players to dissect why Prague’s housing remains so expensive and what it will take to change course. The discussion revolved around sluggish permitting, structural undersupply, land policy, the role of institutional capital, and the capacity of the construction industry to scale up.

At Bucharest Business Forum 2026, the closing panel brought together senior executives from residential, logistics, and asset management to explore how Romania can unlock its next phase of growth. Moderated by Ana Dumitrache, CEO, Olympian Parks, the discussion ranged from unlearning old market reflexes and rethinking “location,” to the disruptive impact of AI and the structural gaps still holding Romania back versus peers like Poland. Despite working in different segments, the speakers converged on a few core themes: long‑term value over short‑term volume, community and quality over simple density, and disciplined governance as the missing ingredient for Romania’s full potential.

At Prague Property Forum 2026, the opening panel examined how investors are adapting their strategies in a volatile macro environment. Speakers highlighted that despite continued appetite for Czech real estate, higher financing costs, limited availability of quality assets, and growing uncertainty are pushing investors to become more selective, more cautious and increasingly focused on long-term resilience.

Property Forum is proud to present the sixth edition of its annual publication recognising the 50 most influential people shaping Romania’s real estate market. Over the years, this ranking has become a reflection of an industry that continues to grow in scale, sophistication and international relevance. The publication, together with all other regional editions, is now available on the Property Forum website.

European investors continue to lead commercial real estate investment across the continent, accounting for 48% of activity in Q1 2026, according to BNP Paribas Real Estate data. American investors follow with 31%, while Asia Pacific investors represent just 7% and Middle Eastern investors 2%.

Property Forum is proud to present the second edition of its annual list recognising the 50 most influential people in Czech and Slovak real estate. Following the successful launch of the inaugural ranking last year, the publication once again highlights the individuals shaping the future of these two dynamic markets. The ranking, together with all other regional editions, is now available on the Property Forum website.