ARTICLES LABELLED WITH TAG ESG

Development financing in Slovakia has been challenging recently because of banks‘ high equity requirements and stringent pre-lease/pre-sale conditions, revealed panellists during a discussion at Bratislava Property Forum 2025 about property financing. On the good side, interest rates are expected to remain stable, with Slovakia's financing costs closer to Western Europe than Southern markets.

In an exclusive interview with Property Forum, Rüdiger Dany, CEO of NEPI Rockcastle, reflects on the company’s record-breaking year, key investments in retail and green energy and explains why consumer resilience in CEE continues to drive growth. Looking ahead to 2025, he discusses market expectations, omnichannel retail trends, and NEPI Rockcastle’s unwavering commitment to sustainability.

As of January 2025, ten modern commercial properties of the Czech real estate fund's Investika portfolio have completed the BREEAM international environmental certification. 

Nhood Romania has recorded a turnover of more than €10 million in 2024, representing a 10% increase compared to the previous year.

Passerinvest has been optimising the management and operation of its buildings, this time focusing on waste management. Since October last year, the company has introduced changes in the organisation of waste collection. This step aims to increase the efficiency of waste management, minimise the traffic burden and ensure accurate data for recording the total amount of waste. 

Even though the volume of commercial real estate delivered to the market in 2024 was below average, the Czech market did not freeze and maintained its activity. This was mainly thanks to the Czech capital, according to Colliers' experts, and this trend will continue in 2025.

Which is better to meet ESG goals? Greenfield investments or conversion of existing buildings? Wise people say: it depends. Although a lot of top experts took part in a panel at the first CEE ESG Forum organised by Property Forum and Green Forum in Vienna last November, no clear answer emerged from the discussion.

Investors view the logistics sector with optimism and, to a lesser extent, retail over the next 12 months, according to a Cushman & Wakefield Echinox study conducted among the most important investors and developers in Romania.

The demand for industrial spaces in CEE is moderating after a record year, with vacancy rates having slightly increased but still at a healthy level. The shift in demand patterns has included larger deals and tenant diversification. Despite challenges, logistics is an attractive asset class with yields comparable to offices and retail, revealed the discussion at CEE Property Forum 2024 in Vienna, chaired by Martin Polák, Managing Director CEE at GARBE Industrial Real Estate.

Like other real estate segments, retail has always been adapting to changes in customer behaviour. This evolution thus is a subject of constant investment and innovation, based on the quality and uniqueness of locations. CEE Property Forum 2024 in Vienna has explored financing challenges together with the importance of data-based decisions in the discussion panel focused on retail.