FLE, a relatively new player on the CEE investment market, plans to acquire €100 million worth of assets just in Hungary and expects new investors to join the race. Dr. Alexander Klafsky, LL.M. MRICS, Managing Partner at FLE GmbH talked investment strategy and market expectations.

European office rental growth slowed to 0.4% over the quarter, though still posted a respectable 2.4% annualised growth. Budapest led the way with growth of 9.1% across the quarter, supported by strong demand, historically-low vacancy rates and a lack of Class A space. Demand for logistics space is supporting rental growth and driving yields lower across Europe, according to Cushman & Wakefield’s latest DNA of Real Estate report.

Futureal Group has become the first property developer in Europe to receive the WELL Building Platinum Precertification for three of its office building projects at the same time. Advance Tower, Corvin Technology & Science Park (Corvin 5) and Budapest One Business Park have been designed and will be operated to make a positive impact on employees’ health and wellbeing. The three office complexes located in Budapest, Hungary will offer over 100,000 square meters of office space in total.

At ca. €12.98 billion, 2017 recorded a 3.3% increase over 2016 (€12.56 billion) and, for the second year running, set a new record transaction volume for the CEE region. JLL has registered continued appetite from investors for the full range of assets across the entire region.

Prologis announced a successful pilot with Platio, a Hungarian start-up that provides aesthetic and space-saving renewable energy systems by integrating high-performance solar cells into sidewalk paving elements made of recycled plastic. Prologis Park Budapest-Harbor has become the first logistics park in the world to integrate this green technology into its daily operations.

FLE GmbH, a company of the LFPI group, has acquired two new office properties in Budapest on behalf of the Luxemburg based fund FLE SICAV FIS. The parties to the transaction have agreed not to disclose the purchase price and other details.

Diófa Asset Management has acquired the Infopark A office building from CA Immo at the end of 2017. Representing Magyar Posta Takarék Real Estate Investment Fund, Diófa Alapkezelő Zrt. bought a 14 000 sqm Class A office building. The seller was represented by Colliers International in this sales transaction.

One of the most important local players on the Hungarian market has closed two transactions at the end of 2017 and there are more in the pipeline for 2018. Balázs Czifra, Property Investment Director at Diófa Asset Management talked to Property Forum about his plans and expectations.

Total demand on the Budapest industrial market amounted to 211,250 sqm in Q4 2017, marking a 58% year-on-year increase. The vacancy rate dropped to a new record low of 4%. The Budapest Research Forum published its quarterly industrial market analysis.

Total demand on the Budapest office market in Q4 2017 reached 144,365 sqm, representing a 13% decrease year-on-year. The office vacancy rate has decreased to 7.5%, the lowest rate on record. The Budapest Research Forum published its latest figures.