Warsaw, Poland’s capital and largest city, has a population of more than 1.75 million. It is also the country’s biggest labour market and home to many university-level schools with a strong R&D sector. It boasts a relatively low unemployment rate which stood at 5.6% at year-end 2017 and the highest gross monthly salary averaging €1,300 (PLN 5,432). Warsaw is growing at a rapid pace, combining modernity with history, new business districts with green areas, the latter accounting for 28% of the city’s total area in 2017, and investing in both public transport and alternative means of transport (including 400 km of cycle lanes as at the end of 2017). Cushman & Wakefield has launched its latest report Warsaw 2020 on Warsaw’s future and major developments transforming the city’s skyline

London ranked as Europe's most attractive city for businesses and employees for second year running, according to Colliers International's latest European Cities of Influence report, which reviews and ranks cities based on their occupier attractiveness, availability of talent, and quality of life factors alongside economic output and productivity; Paris, Madrid, Moscow and Birmingham making up the rest of the top five.

Poland has seen record-breaking absorption on the office market. In the last year alone, companies occupied additional 800,000 sqm of office space. This translates into more than 80,000 additional job positions in modern office buildings, JLL reports.

Atenor’s new Polish affiliate has signed a preliminary agreement to acquire long-term lease rights on two 30,500 sqm office buildings in Warsaw. These office buildings are known as the University Business Center and are located in the Mokotów district. They offer approximately €3 million in annual rental income.

Warsaw’s central office district went through a transformation process in recent years following the delivery of a number of modern office developments such as Q22 or Warsaw Spire, which have already been acclaimed as unique and landmark schemes. However, in addition to modern buildings and futuristic skyscrapers, this area is also home to second-generation offices developed before 2000 and historical buildings which form an integral part of the capital city’s centre. Michał Wachowicz, Consultant, Capital Markets at Cushman & Wakefield analysed Warsaw’s CBD.

Golub GetHouse has signed the purchase agreement of the property located at Jagiellońska Street 82 in the Warsaw district of Praga-Północ. The investment plot with a total area of 11,533 sqm is located opposite the Kozminski University. In the first stage of the project, a modern student house with cca. 430 beds and with student amenities will be constructed. The investment will be covered by the Golub GetHouse Property Fund II FIZ and in partnership with CA Ventures company, specializing in the construction of student houses in the USA.

Apleona GVA has secured a contract for technical support and advisory services during the pre-opening phase of the Holiday Inn Warsaw City Centre Hotel and the transition to the new owner. The 256-room property is ready to host its guests. It was officially acquired by Union Investment Real Estate GmbH on January 31st for its UniImmo: Deutschland fund.

In the two-year period since acquiring the office building for the Cromwell Central Europe Retail Partnership (CCERP), Cromwell has generated more than 21 per cent IRR for investors. The name of the buyer and the purchase price has not been disclosed.

Cushman & Wakefield has been appointed exclusive sales agent for a tenement building at 68 Piękna Street in Warsaw.

2017 witnessed robust leasing activity that was driven largely by the financial services sector, which amid moderate supply pushed Warsaw’s office vacancy rate down to 11.7%, the lowest since Q3 2013. Cushman & Wakefield presented an overview of the Warsaw office market for 2017.