In 2020, 28,208 new dwellings were built in Hungary, 34% more than a year earlier, the Central Statistical Office (KSH) said. The annual figure is an 11-year high. Meanwhile, based on issued dwelling construction permits and simple declarations, the number of homes to be built decreased by 36% compared to 2019 to 22,556.

Upon completing the acquisition of a 66% stake in Wrocław-based developer Archicom, Echo Investment is set to become the largest residential developer in Poland. Nicklas Lindberg, CEO of Echo Investment talked to Property Forum about the recent acquisition, dealing with the effects of the pandemic and Echo’s plans for the nearest months.

Czech-based development group Horizon has announced that the sale of the second stage of Rezidence Čámovka is now complete. Despite much of the sales period being accompanied by pandemic-related uncertainty, all 148 flats in Prague's Čimice have already been secured by new owners. Commissioning for the five buildings in which they are located is scheduled for October this year.

With an investment budget of €100 million for this year, Hagag Development Europe remains open to new opportunities. Yitzhak Hagag, Chairman and Board Controller at Hagag Group spoke to Property Forum about current projects and future plans for the Romanian market.

Eagle JVCo, the investment vehicle established in 2019 between Vienna-based Value One and Nuveen Real Estate on behalf of its parent TIAA, has agreed to acquire a portfolio of purpose-built student housing and two development sites in Poland.

Echo Investment will take over a majority stake of the Wrocław-based Archicom company from its founders. Once the transaction is finalized, the Echo-Archicom group will be the largest residential developer in Poland – only in 2021, it will start the construction of 7,000 apartments for sale and rent.

Romanian developer Prima Development Group announces the expansion on the residential market in Bucharest with three new projects, after this year it will deliver 640 apartments in the capital city and Oradea. The new projects will bring an additional 2,500 new homes to the market.

Atenor has signed an agreement relating to the acquisition of new plots in District XI of Budapest for a total area of 82,861 sqm. This new project, named Lake City has the capacity to build a total of 92,183 sqm residential area and will propose 1,326 apartments developed in eight phases. The first phase has a valid building permit in place, while for the rest of the project the building permits are yet to be obtained.

Nordis Group announced the completion of a building with luxury apartments in Bucharest, an investment of €8 million. 

Czech developer Crestyl Group is the process of developing a number of large-scale mixed-use projects in the capital and beyond. Omar Koleilat, CEO of the company talked to Property Forum about Crestyl’s development plans and shared his expectations for the Czech investment market in 2021.