Lease transactions in the Bratislava office market in the fourth quarter of 2022 reached a total area of 54,532 sqm, which represents around a 41% increase in leasing activity compared to the previous quarter, the Bratislava Research Forum reports.

Despite many negative factors, Q4 2022 showed that the economy in Slovakia should grow by 1.8% in 2022. Energy prices were stabilized, inflation peaked and we could see the increase in yields. The Slovak industrial sector remained once more the most resilient real estate segment and experienced very solid performance in 2022. In the same period, the lack of new supply resulted in lowered vacancies in offices. Overall retail park projects dominate both this year’s new supply and future retail development with limited space for larger retail schemes due to high saturation. Cushman & Wakefield published its market reports for Q4 2022.

Developer Garbe Industrial Real Estate CEE has completed the construction of the first building of its industrial park in Piešťany, Slovakia. The new development is in line with the company’s sustainable philosophy and the hall's roof features photovoltaic panels, which will be the primary renewable energy source.

Arete Group has signed a loan agreement for more than €100 million with the consortium of Czech and Slovak banks – one of the largest banking groups in the Czech Republic and Slovakia - Česká spořitelna and Slovenská sporiteĺňa.  

VGP has secured a major tenant for the first phase of its VGP Park Bratislava project. The just-completed Hall "A" has been leased by Dirks Consumer Slovakia, a logistics company focused on online sales of pet food and supplies.

In 2022, 1,519 flats were sold in Bratislava's new buildings, the fewest since the financial crisis in 2008. The average price of available flats is €4,900/sqm including VAT. After almost eight years of strong sales and double-digit price growth, activity in the residential market has cooled significantly, according to a report by Bencont Investments.

Another skyscraper will be added to Bratislava's skyline. DRFG Investment Group will build the multi-functional Ister Tower complex in cooperation with local developer The Galata Group. The €249.5 million project will be located in the city centre near other high-rise buildings such as Sky Park, Eurovea Tower and Nivi Tower. Construction of the new skyscraper is expected to begin in 2024, DRFG said. 

Occam New Home, a subsidiary of investment-development group Occam Real Estate, concluded negotiations for the entry of a strategic partner in December. Slovak investment group Across acquired a 50% stake in the company through its subsidiary Across Properties.

Slovak construction company HSF System SK has completed the general delivery of two more shopping centres in Slovakia. In Kysucke Nové Mesto, which is located in the Žilina region, the shopping gallery Obchodná galéria Naša was opened to the public. In Košice, a new SIKO shopping centre was built.

Slovak developer Corwin has gained the final building permit for its Ljubljana office project Vilharia. Slovenia's large office complex, which will be built on the brownfield area, is now set to start construction at the beginning of 2023. It will bring 36,000 sqm of prime office space into the centre of the Slovenian capital.