The Eastern European construction market is facing a cooling period of "little less optimism", while Southeast Europe shows signs of stabilizing with a "little less pessimism", according to the Eastern European Construction Forecasting Association (EECFA) 2026 Summer Construction Forecast released on 22 June 2026. Despite the shifting sentiment, both regions are projected to sustain the record-high output levels achieved in 2025 through to 2028.

Hyprop Investments, South Africa's largest listed specialised shopping centre REIT, has agreed to acquire Galleria Burgas, a shopping centre located on Bulgaria's east coast, for €122.2 million before adjustments.

Office markets across SEE entered 2026 with strong fundamentals, supported by low vacancy rates in most capitals, limited availability of prime space and strong occupier demand for quality, sustainable offices, according to CBRE research.

The construction of the Belgrade Metro represents the largest civil engineering project in Serbia and is expected to be a primary driver of economic growth in the coming years. For decades, public transport in Belgrade relied solely on buses, trams, and the city railway (BG Voz). The development of a comprehensive underground system is expected to have a transformative effect on commuting patterns and travel times.

Open-ended fund Reico Long Lease has purchased The Mill office building in Bratislava from developer Immocap, in one of the biggest property deals closed on the Slovak market in the year to date.

Belgrade's apartment market recorded €768.5 million in sales during the fourth quarter of 2025, marking an 18% increase compared to €651.9 million in the same period the previous year, according to data from the Republic Geodetic Authority, analysed by real estate consultancy Cordon.

In a video interview recorded at CEE Property Forum 2025 in Vienna, Pál Forgács, Managing Director of the Emonika project in Ljubljana, discusses leasing expectations for 2026 and explains why Slovenia’s largest-ever development had to be designed as a mixed-use scheme.

New retail projects continue to focus outside Bratislava, with most developments taking place in western Slovakia, according to the latest analysis by CBRE Slovakia.

Commercial real estate companies remain optimistic about 2026, with 83% expecting revenue growth, according to a Deloitte report. This represents a slight decline from 88% last year, while 68% plan to increase expenses in 2026.

Milica Nikolić has been appointed Managing Director of iO Partners Serbia, bringing over two decades of experience in commercial real estate advisory and market development across the office, industrial and retail sectors in Serbia.