According to the latest RICS Commercial Property Monitor, occupier and investment sentiment remains mostly positive across main CEE markets with the exception of Bulgaria where the outlook is slightly negative. Retail continues to suffer across the region as demand for retail assets fell on both the occupier and investment sides of the market in most countries.

In 2020, student housing markets in Europe are expected to grow stronger with Poland becoming one of the most attractive countries at a continental level. Stefan Kolibar, Head of Marketing at Bonard talked to Property Forum about the trends driving this segment regionally and globally.

In 2019, the Polish warehouse and industrial market witnessed a record supply amid an unwavering occupier demand despite the earlier fears of an economic slowdown, says real estate advisory firm Savills. Demand continues to be driven, among other factors, by e-commerce.

Cordia International announced a public tender offer on 14 February 2020 to buy the remaining approximately 34.34% of the shares in Polnord S.A., which is not owned by Cordia International currently.

Kraków has nearly doubled its office stock over the last four years, becoming the largest and fastest-growing regional city office market in Poland, according to a new report by Savills.

A joint venture between a fund managed by the Real Estate Group of Ares Management Corporation and Griffin Real Estate announced the acquisition of a 98.04% stake in Murapol SA, a leading Polish property development company. The value of the deal was not disclosed.

Panattoni has embarked on the construction of Panattoni Park Gorzów Wielkopolski, planned to total nearly 70,000 sqm. The site is 7 km from the city centre, in the vicinity of the S3 route leading from Szczecin to the A2 motorway, and has already secured its first tenants. They are Omnipack and Logoplaste Polska, taking up in excess of 10,000 sqm in total.

GTC signed a €130 million refinancing loan agreement for one of the largest assets in its portfolio, Galeria Jurajska. Located in Częstochowa, the 48,700 sqm shopping centre offers over 200 stores, service points, restaurants and a multi-screen cinema.

Cordia has successfully acquired 63.7 million shares of Polnord, one of the largest development companies in Poland. Transaction worth €31.7 million provided the Hungarian founded developer with a control stock of shares exceeding 65% in the increased capital.

Savills has been appointed as sole letting agent for office space in the three buildings of Business Garden Wrocław, owned by the ISOC Group. Savills has also been the property manager for the first phase of the project since mid-2019.