The office markets of Central European capitals are growing dynamically with the number of new leases on the rise and vacancy rates hitting record lows in several cities. In light of all this it is no surprise that development activity is also heating up on the most popular markets of the region.

German discount supermarket chain Penny Market opened a logistics centre in Veszprém, Western Hungary, following a nearly €30 million (HUF 9 billion) investment. The facility offers 26,500 sqm of warehouse space on a 10 ha land. The new warehouse can hold 15,000 pallets.

During the third quarter of 2017 the total commercial real estate investment transaction volume reached some €505 million in Hungary, pushing the 2017 year-to-date volume to nearly €1.3 billion, according to JLL Hungary’s latest statistics.

Total demand on the Budapest industrial market amounted to 122,020 sqm in Q3 2017, showing a 44% increase year-on-year. The Budapest Research Forum published its quarterly industrial market analysis.

Residential markets are on the rise all over Europe. There are barely any countries where prices haven’t begun to increase since the crisis. Property Forum took a closer look at the Central and Eastern European region, to see which countries have seen the highest growth. Croatia is one of the countries where prices began to grow later rather than sooner, but this means that it may become a new hotspot for investors looking to profit from house price growth in the region.

CTP acquired the ex-Nokia building in Komárom, Hungary. The 52,771 sqm property is located on a 137,001 sqm site in Komárom Industrial Park. The property was purpose built in three phases between 1999 and 2004 and was designed by Nokia for their specific use and requirements. The whole site comprises three main buildings and further technical facilities which support the operation of the factory.

Demand on the Budapest office market in Q3 2017 increased by 67% compared to the previous quarter, reaching 164,985 sqm. Combined with a marginal growth in supply the vacancy rate further decreased to 7.6%. The Budapest Research Forum published its latest figures.

DHL Express recently moved into its new, tailor made warehouse of 6,000 sqm leased in Budapest Airport's new logistic facility built by Market Építő. Budapest Airport appointed CBRE Hungary for the construction management services.

Plaza Centers has concluded an agreement with NEPI Rockcastle, on the termination of land use rights over a circa 21,788 sqm land plot adjoining Arena Plaza in Budapest, Hungary, registered to a subsidiary of the company, Kerepesi 5 Irodaépület Kft. NEPI Rockcastle has recently acquired the Arena Plaza shopping centre from a third party.

Despite record low vacancy levels in Budapest and an increasingly landlord-friendly leasing environment, industry commentators have warned of an imminent oversupply around the corner. But there is no need to panic just yet, suggests Orsolya Hegedűs and Mike Edwards at Cushman & Wakefield, Hungary.