The Prague Research Forum – CBRE, Colliers, Cushman & Wakefield, iO Partners, Knight Frank and Savills – has shared an updated Prague office market insight. Figures and data for Q4 2023 have confirmed a cautious approach both from developers and tenants.

The latest report from Savills indicates that the highest demand for electric vehicle charging points is observed in Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, and the United Kingdom. Poland ranks in the top twenty countries with the highest growth potential for the development of EV charging infrastructure, presenting opportunities for commercial property owners and investors active in this market.

Despite significant headwinds across the global economy, the European flexible office market has remained largely resilient throughout 2023, says Workthere.pl. In 2024, the flexible office specialist expects operators to continue to seek best-in-class spaces with a greater focus on amenities and sustainability offerings.

Savills has strengthened its Investment team with a promotion and a new appointment. Fraser Watson has been promoted to the role of Head of Investment for the Czech Republic & Slovakia and Hugo Fischer has joined the Investment team as an Associate.

Savills has promoted Kamil Kowa to Managing Director of Savills Poland. In his new role, Kowa will work closely with Stuart Jordan, CEO of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) at Savills to help clients operating in or looking to enter the Polish real estate market.

2024 will be a challenging year for many companies in the CEE real estate sector that will have to refinance their loans at new, increased costs. Those that need to redeem their corporate bonds in the coming quarters may also have a lot of problems.

Savills recorded 40 transactions closed in 2023 in the Czech commercial real estate sector with a total investment volume of €1.2 billion. Investment volume in 2023 was down 32% in comparison to 2022. 31% of investment transactions in 2023 were closed in Prague.

Savills has been appointed as property manager for Mogilska 35 Office in Kraków. The six-floor office building is one of the latest office projects delivered in southern Poland by Warimpex.

Average office occupancy rates across eight major European markets have risen in the last six months from 55% to 57%, says Savills, however on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the average is 64% and 62% respectively, closer to the pre-pandemic rate of circa. 70%.

According to the "Ski Report" published by Savills for the eighteenth time this year, on average, across the Savills Ski Prime Price League table of the top twenty resorts, prices for prime residential property fell by approximately -4% for the year. However, this fall is from record levels, after prices rose more than 20% in the 2021/22 season. While down slightly from their 2022 highs, values remain on average 20% above 2021 levels and 41% above pre-pandemic prices.