Tourism and the commercial real estate industry would both benefit from the existence of theme parks in CEE. Demand is real and exists, however, there are several challenges to address for both investors and developers. Property Forum asked Róbert Székely, Senior Hospitality and Leisure Advisor at Newmark VLK Hungary, to give an overview of the potential of such parks in our region.

Time Out Market Budapest is set to open in 2025 at Corvin Palace at Blaha Lujza Square. The historic department store first opened in 1926 and has recently been renovated back to its original neoclassical state and redeveloped as a mixed-use real estate property offering retail, leisure and a hotel, timeout.com reports.

Futureal Group’s subsidiary, Cordia Zrt. has kicked off its new mega project called Marina City, aiming to build 2,500 apartments, recreational facilities and several amenities on a former industrial site at the river Danube. The HUF 400 billion (€1 billion) project is a landmark development in the northern part of the Hungarian capital.

As development activity has slowed down, the focus is shifting to managing the existing stock across the whole commercial real estate market. Owners and other stakeholders have to adapt rapidly to serve changing demand from occupiers, said Benjamin Perez Ellischewitz MRICS, Principal at Avison Young in Hungary, while answering Property Forum’s questions at Mipim in Cannes.

Hungarian property developer and investor Wing has completed a €37 million bond issue. With an aggregate principal amount of €37 million, the bonds have a maturity of 3 years and a fixed interest rate of 8.90 per cent. The company has accepted all offers received, intending to use the funds raised from the successful issue to pursue new investment opportunities and launch new real estate development projects.

Faedra Group, acting as developer and general contractor, has successfully sold its new, fully leased greenfield logistics development Faedra22 in Budapest. Throughout the marketing process, a German capital source was selected as the ideal buyer, Colliers reports. Selling Faedra 22 logistics park marks the first sizeable transaction by a foreign buyer in Hungary in 2024 so far.

Hungarian real estate developer and investor Indotek Group has closed the purchase of a downtown shopping centre in Budapest, online business site Portfolio reports, citing Cushman & Wakefield, the main assistant of the deal.

CTP has signed a €90 million loan agreement with Erste Bank Hungary Zrt. and Erste Group Bank AG to finance 4 logistics and industrial assets in Hungary. The multi-borrower financing is for 7 years. EY Budapest and White&Case Prague advised and provided legal services for Erste Bank, while CTP Hungary was represented by Kinstellar Budapest.

Latest technological innovations may cut time and cost significantly in preparing real estate projects. Property Forum asked Béla Markovich, CEO of construction giant Mapei’s Hungarian subsidiary about the ways the company uses VR and AI to reach higher efficiency and about R+D activity to produce eco-friendly construction materials.

UAE-based property developer Eagle Hills plans to build a completely new city centre in Budapest. Plans contain several highrise offices, residential and retail units, including the tallest tower in Europe.