The preliminary investment volumes for the CEE region for Q1 2020 have reached ca. €3.7 billion, despite the onset of COVID-19 in CEE at the beginning of March. This volume was significantly boosted by the ca. €1.3 billion acquisition of the Residomo portfolio in the Czech Republic by Heimstaden, however, it still represents a y-o-y growth of 68% over Q1 2019 (ca. €2.2 billion) and 28% over Q1 2018 (ca. €2.9 billion).

Romanian developer Zacaria Group is offering industrial space free of charge for local authorities and non-governmental organizations to help manage the emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Transilvania Business reports. Furthermore, the company, for the first time, offers short-term rentals for companies that have to expand or temporarily move their activities due to the coronavirus crisis.

Romanian residential developer One United Properties is moving ahead with three new projects in Bucharest.

AFI Europe Romania announces the rescheduling of the opening date for AFI Brasov, the largest shopping centre project to be delivered in Romania in 2020. Initially planned for the spring of this year, the opening date is now scheduled for the autumn of 2020, should the overall social conditions allow it.

The business environment in China was the first hit by the COVID-19 epidemic, but the fast decrease of new cases in the past weeks brings hope for recovery in the second half of the year, with a positive impact on the real estate market as well. Based on China’s evolution, a similar outcome could be expected in Romania too, mainly driven by e-commerce, after the outbreak peak is surpassed and the number of new cases drops. Moreover, the current situation can bring growth opportunities for certain industries including segments of the real estate market, according to Colliers International.

As it was reported yesterday, the €300 million sale of NEPI Rockcastle’s Romanian office portfolio to AFI Europe has been suspended. In their separate announcements, the buyer claims that the completion of the transaction was impossible due to the COVID-19 related restrictions imposed by the authorities, while the seller insists that these restrictions did not prevent completion. The two companies have not reached a consensus on postponing the transaction’s deadline. NEPI Rockcastle has interpreted AFI Europe’s actions as a wish to cancel the acquisition and is now asking the company for a €15 million compensation.

The decision of the authorities to temporarily suspend the purchase of goods considered non-essential from shopping centres affects more than 9,000 stores and each day when they are closed equals €15-20 million lost income, according to Cushman and Wakefield Echinox.

The €300 million sale of NEPI Rockcastle’s Romanian office portfolio to AFI Europe has been suspended due to the coronavirus crisis, Profit.ro reports.

Belgian real estate developer Liebrecht & wooD, continues the development of its second outlet centre on the Romanian market, in Cernica, near Bucharest, despite the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, zf.ro reports.

Impact Developer & Contractor, a real estate developer listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange, has convened the shareholders to approve a bond issue of maximum €100 million on 28 April.