Attila Gorbai, General Manager of Tennant Company in CEE, spoke with Property Forum about the portfolio expansion of Tennant’s robotic cleaning machines following their integration into Tennant Company and the company’s vision to expand their role in the floor care market across the CEE.

Over H1 2024, the office stock in the CEE region grew by 213,000 sqm, with the largest increase recorded in Budapest (78,300 sqm). The majority of the markets still experience subdued construction activity as vacancy rates remain higher than 10%. The development pipeline is largely dependent on pre-lease agreements, with a limited number of speculative starts. The only exception is Prague, where the under-construction volumes nearly doubled as compared to the end of 2023. The overall vacancy rate in the CEE capitals recorded a minimal increase over H1 2024 and stood at 11.6%, against 11.5% in Q4 2023. Muted construction activity will push the overall vacancy rate downwards in the mid-term. A decrease in availability will be more prominent in the prime market segment as occupiers follow „fly to quality” trend. JLL experts, in cooperation with iO Partners, present an analysis of the trends observed in the office market in Poland against the background of countries in the CEE region.

Quadra Underwriting announced the appointment of Andrew Jackson as the new Business Development Director and Shareholder. He is to accelerate the company's plans for European expansion.

"Airbnb is a housing issue, not a tourism issue, so that's not how we approach it," said Márton Nagy, Hungary's Economy Minister at a press conference on Tuesday. He stressed that they can agree with Alexandra Szentkirályi, president of Fidesz-KDNP in Budapest, who had said earlier that whatever the decision, she would propose to the government to introduce corresponding rules in Budapest and nationally.

Geosan Development is launching sales in the Re.Start Petynka apartment building in Prague 6 near Břevnov and Hradčany. The estimated start date for construction is the beginning of 2025.

The Q5 Gallery has been a new addition to the Mešice art hub located on the outskirts of Prague. The event and conference space is serving companies located in Q Park Měšice in a non-traditional industrial environment.

Nepi Rockcastle is in negotiations to acquire Magnolia Park, a shopping centre located in Wroclaw, Poland from Union Investment Real Estate. The property features 100,000 sqm GLA. The potential acquisition remains subject to the execution of formal written agreements, which is expected to occur in the coming weeks.

CTP has started construction of the Barracks Zátiší project in Pilsen, Czech Republic. The site with a rich industrial history is undergoing a complete revitalisation. The new CTWorkshop concept is also part of this project.

Poland has seen one of the fastest residential rental growth rates in the European Union in the last five years, with rental inflation in major cities rising to double-digit levels. This growth was largely driven by elevated financing costs, inflation and the migration of people to Polish cities. Average rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Warsaw are higher than in Prague, Vienna and Bratislava, but still well below those in London, Zurich or Dublin, says Cushman & Wakefield in its latest report.

Germany's Garbe group, specialised in industrial investment, is looking to start operations in Romania and develop its first local projects.