Green certificates were something sufficient years ago, but in the present market reality, they fail to cover the social and governance parts of the ESG principles. Some of them are also seriously outdated – this is how one can summarize a panel discussion on developments at last month's European ESG Property Forum 2023 in Warsaw.

Although not long ago the PRS market seemed to be the obvious choice, thanks to the sudden improvement in economic conditions and the optimism of buyers, the construction of apartments for sale in Poland is today a more profitable solution - this is the main conclusion of a panel discussion at Living Investment Forum 2023, an event organized by Property Forum in Warsaw in May.

The opening panel of European ESG Property Forum 2023, which took place last week in Warsaw, has shown that the best stimulator to implement ESG strategies in the property market are always the financial and legal regulations.

Panattoni continues to grow its portfolio of urban centres in Warsaw. The company has begun construction of City Logistics Warsaw IX next to the junction of ul. Utrata and ul. Zabraniecka in the city’s Targówek Fabryczny district, and the value of the investment will amount to €19 million. Half of the space is to be occupied by Inter-Mlecz, a distributor of some of the biggest grocery brands. The company is to move its current operations without disruption from a nearby location. 

There is definitely a trend of less space requirement in the Polish market. Marta Zawadzka, Leasing Director at Yareal Polska talked to Property Forum about the incoming supply gap in the Polish office market and changing preferences of the tenants.

Student Depot plans to complete two new investments in Warsaw and Łódź in the autumn. Both student residences will open at the beginning of the academic year 2023/2024, thereby increasing Student Depot's portfolio by nearly a thousand beds. The new residents will find fully furnished rooms, coworking areas, multimedia rooms, as well as fitness zones.

Peakside Capital Advisors has started construction of City Point Targówek, the largest logistics park in Warsaw. It will provide 100,000 sqm of modern and sustainable warehouse space in a prime location near the city centre. The warehouse park will seek top LEED and BREEM certification ratings, and it will also pursue WELL certification, which has never been awarded in this market segment before.

Cushman & Wakefield has summarized the first quarter of 2023 and trends shaping the Warsaw office market, which came third among key European office locations for take-up. The Polish capital is entering a phase of renewing leases made in the peak years of 2018-2019. Another positive development is the prospect of several new construction starts in the city’s central zones. According to Cushman & Wakefield, new projects will experience the strongest upward pressure on rents.

Mindspace, the flex office provider, has opened its second Polish location, Mindspace Skyliner at Rondo Daszyńskiego in Warsaw. The new location spans 4,400 sqm and comprises private offices, common areas and boutique conference rooms.

The upcoming launch of the first hotel in Poland for the Barceló chain, operating under the brand name Barceló Hotels & Resorts, marks the final phase of investment for the Elektrownia Powiśle complex in Warsaw. It represents the completion of all planned construction work for the revitalization of the former power station site, which was conducted by Tristan Capital Partners’ EPISO 4 Fund and White Star Real Estate.