In the second half of 2016 Class A offices in Bulgaria took 70% in the total supply, shows the latest research of Colliers International. The interest is generated mainly from companies coming from the outsourcing and IT sector, which has a growing share in the office market transactions – 60% during the first half of 2016 and 74% during the second. Their requirements include modern and functional layouts, comfortable workspace, convenient location, easily accessible through public transport, availability of restaurants, sports centers and additional services in close proximity. As a result to the active demand for this type of offices, the annual net absorption in quality Class A and B buildings in Sofia increased by 26%.

The ceremonial laying of the cornerstone for Ada Mall, GTC’s latest retail investment in Belgrade, was held on 6 March 2017. The opening of the 34,000-sqm mall is scheduled for autumn 2018.

Colliers International announced that Luke Dawson has returned to Colliers International, effective immediately, in the role of Managing Director & Head of Capital Markets for Central & Eastern Europe (CEE).

JLL has appointed Silviana Petre Badea as Managing Director of its Romanian business, based in Bucharest, with effect from 1 March 2017.

Arco Real Property Holdings, a joint venture between Arco Capital and Deutsche Asset Management's DB Private Equity & Private Markets group, has decided to develop and construct a new office building in Business Park Sofia (BPS). The investment volume for this new building will be around €30 million.

Occupier and investment sentiment continues to be positive across Central and Eastern Europe according to the RICS Commercial Property Monitor for Q4 2016. Hungary and the Czech Republic remain the most upbeat markets, with Bulgaria and Croatia also gaining momentum. In Romania the pace of growth seems to be slowing down, although sentiment and projections continue to be broadly positive.

In accordance with its development strategy, Orbis Group enters Bosnia and Herzegovina with signature of a franchise agreement for MGallery by Sofitel Tarcin Forest Resort & Spa in Sarajevo region, Bosnia. The investor of the hotel is Tarcin International Development Company d.o.o. 

Israeli real estate developer AFI Europe plans to invest €200 million euro in the construction of a residential and shopping complex in Belgarde, the Serbian capital’s mayor Siniša Mali announced. 

According to JLL, almost €900 million were invested into Romanian property in 2016, 35% more than in the previous year. 2016 has been a record breaking year at a country level all over CEE with the highest ever volumes recorded in the Czech Republic and Slovakia and second best ever results recorded in Poland, Hungary and the SEE region.

M7 Real Estate, the pan-European investor and asset manager, announces that it has made two further acquisitions for the recently launched CEREF I fund. The acquisitions in Croatia and Hungary totalling €14 million mark M7's first entry into both countries.