The market is transforming fundamentally but offices are here to stay, while traditional occupiers appreciate the flexibility option for workspaces, concluded speakers of the office investments panel of CEE Property Forum 2023, held in Vienna.

The office vacancy rate in Budapest increased to 13.2%, representing a 0.6 pps growth quarter-on-quarter and a 2.2 pps increase year-on-year. Two smaller buildings have been handed over while the demand has increased by 14% compared to the previous quarter, the Budapest Research Forum (BRF) reports.

Czech developer Contera has opened Organica office building in Ostrava. The grand opening was attended by representatives of the main client, the Scandinavian company Tietoevry, as well as the Mayor of Ostrava and the Governor of the Moravian-Silesian Region. 

In a strategic move to strengthen its presence in the Croatian real estate market, ALFI Real Estate Fund (ALFI RE) recently added another gem to its investment portfolio. The acquisition of the Matrix B office building in Zagreb's bustling business district marks a significant milestone for the Fund, propelling its real estate portfolio value to over €100 million.

Garanti BBVA bank has extended its lease in YUNITY Park project for the next five years, maintaining its 7,200 sqm HQ in the building owned by Genesis Property. With the recent transaction, the lender will reach 20 years of constant presence in the same business campus. 

Deloitte has renewed the office lease agreement for its three delivery centres spanning 12,500 sqm in Bucharest-based Oregon Park, owned by Lion’s Head.

Hungarian-owned real estate developer Faedra Group has opened its business and industrial park in the Southern part of the capital. The Faedra22 Park, an urban “last-mile” logistics and office facility is fully leased.

Upvest from Komerční banka Group together with the American real estate firm Lincoln Property Company has bought the Zirkon office centre in Prague 8 from Českomoravská nemovitostní (ČMN). The price of the transaction has not been disclosed.

Just ahead of the Expo Real investment fair in Munich, experts of Avison Young presented an overview of the current situation in the Polish commercial real estate market. 

Workspace startup Nooka Space has announced the appointment of Irina Leca as CEO of the company, as well as the raising of a new investment round worth €2 million.