Last year, in a landmark deal, CPI Property Group has acquired 11 CEE retail assets from funds managed by CBRE Global Investors. Country Manager Mátyás Gereben talked to us about the company’s future plans for Hungary and revealed what’s in store for the five assets – shopping centres Pólus and Campona, the Andrássy Complex and two Interpsar stores – that were added to CPI’s Hungarian portfolio as a result of the €650 million deal.

Market Central Ferihegy, one of the largest retail parks in Hungary, and adjacent office complex Quadrum have been acquired by Erste Real Estate Fund. According to Erste Asset Management, growth of the economy and expansion of the retail market in Hungary may facilitate higher rent, representing favourable outlooks for future returns of real estate funds.

The 145-room ibis Styles Budapest Airport Hotel, the first airport hotel in Hungary with a direct terminal connection, constructed in a development project by Wing, opened for business at the beginning of January. The 6,600 sqm hotel is located approximately 200 m from Terminal 2, and is connected to it by a covered walkway.

MCAP Global Finance, the London-based subsidiary of global investment manager Marathon Asset Management, has acquired the Népliget Center office building in Budapest on behalf of its funds and managed accounts. The transaction price has not been disclosed. The buyer was advised by Lodge & Partners, which will oversee the local asset management of the building.

From its handover in January 2018, Cushman & Wakefield has been assigned with the property management of the 15,647 sqm Váci Greens D office building developed by Atenor.

Rudolf Nemes will be joining CTP as Country Manager in Hungary, effective on January 8th, 2018, while István Pozderka became the company’s new Senior Business Developer in Hungary, effective on January 1st, 2018. The primary task of the new team will be to accelerate business growth and to strengthen the Hungarian platform in order to create the foundation of a sustainable future expansion.

Founded almost 25 years ago by owners and managers of the former TriGranit Group, Granit Polus recently announced its intention to launch a major mixed-used development in the centre of Budapest. Owner Sándor Demján and CEO Gyula Ágházi shared the company’s new strategy with Property Forum.

The Hungarian government plans to maximise the height of any building in Budapest at 65 metres, the minister leading the Prime Minister’s Office announced. János Lázár told journalists that there is a bill before Parliament that would ban the construction of buildings higher than 65 metres.

As a response to continued strong demand from tenants in Budapest and Bucharest, Skanska plans to launch several new projects in both capital cities. Marcin Łapiński, Managing Director for Hungary and Romania talked to Property Forum about the differences between the two markets.

CPI Property Group acquired three hotel properties in the Czech Republic and Hungary: a historical building in Český Krumlov, an existing hotel in Olomouc and an office building adjacent to a hotel in Budapest.