In recent weeks, JLL has participated in three large-scale investment transactions in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. These were strategic acquisitions of Wood & Company's real estate fund (the real estate arm of investment group Wood & Company), which recently acquired three premium office buildings.

Park Inn by Radisson announced the reopening of the Park Inn by Radisson Danube Bratislava in Slovakia - after an extensive renovation over the last two years. The hotel is located in the heart of the historic centre, near to Bratislava Castle and the Danube River.

Prologis has begun construction of two new speculative facilities totalling 25,300 square metres at Prologis Park Bratislava. The developments include the 9,800 sqm Building 14, in which 2,900 square metres have been pre-leased by Blitshtein Trading, a food distributor to major markets in Central and Eastern Europe and the 15,500 sqm Building 20.

Penta Investments closed 2017 with a profit of €236 million and its portfolio companies' total assets grew by 6 % to €9 billion. Fortuna, Dr.Max , Prima banka and Privatbanka were the most profitable companies, Penta Real Estate's development activities also contributed to the success. The largest expenditure was allocated for investment in the retail, real estate, healthcare and manufacturing sectors.

After the recent start of construction works at LiNK Hradec Králové Linkcity has announced the launch of another project. The developer has received a planning permit for a logistics park in the industrial zone Nitra – Lužianky, located near the R1 motorway in Slovakia.

M7 Real Estate, a pan-European real estate investor and specialist asset manager, has agreed on a number of transactions as part of its proactive asset management programme on behalf of Vector Parks. Vector Parks comprises a portfolio of industrial and office assets located in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Over the last six months, M7 has completed six new lettings and four renewals totalling over 20,500 sqm with predominantly anchor tenants.

REICO investiční společnost České spořitelny, a.s. has acquired, on behalf of the ČS nemovitostní fond, their first prime industrial asset in Slovakia from developer and investor Invest4SEE Investment Holding GmbH. JLL advised REICO IS ČS on their first industrial acquisition in Slovakia with a transaction value of €38.9 million.

In 2018 we are likely to see new investors entering the region. However, at a time when the global allocation of capital is changing rapidly, it can be difficult to identify where a new investor is coming from. Marián Fridrich, Head of Transactions at IAD Investments talked market expectations and investment strategy.

Prologis announced several promotions at its Czech and Slovak offices. Martin Baláž has been promoted to Vice President of Development and Leasing at Prologis Czech Republic and Slovakia; Václav Krasanovský has been promoted to Vice President of Property Management at Prologis Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary; Martin Stratov moves up to the position of Director of Development and Leasing at Prologis Slovakia. The promotion of Kateřina Březinová to Leasing Manager at Prologis Czech Republic completes this promotion round.

Marian Herman has become the new Chief Executive of HB Reavis Group with immediate effect. Marian moves into the role from his position as Group Chief Financial Officer and Board Member of HB Reavis. He has been with the company for more than eight years.