GTC continues its growth strategy and further expands its portfolio in Sofia. The developer and asset manager purchased Mall of Sofia, a prime shopping centre and office tower in Sofia’s Central Business District, seizing opportunity in the growing economy in Bulgaria. The property was formerly owned by Europa Capital.

Immofinanz has opened two further retail parks in its Stop Shop brand. The Stop Shop portfolio has now grown to 72 locations with roughly 500,000 sqm of rentable space in eight countries. The new properties are located in the Serbian cities of Požarevac (7,200 sqm) and Vršac (8,250 sqm). Both locations are 100% rented. The tenants include, among others, LC Waikiki, Reserved, Sinsay, CCC, Deichmann and DM.

The construction of the €40.4 million (HRK 300 million) Matrix Office Park in Zagreb, Polish real estate developer GTC’s newest project in Croatia, will be completed by 2019, local media reports.

KD Funds, one of the largest and oldest asset managers in South East Europe and Peakside Capital, an international real estate investor, announced the launch of the KD Adriatic Value Fund, Special Investment Fund, the first regulated real estate alternative investment fund (AIF) in Slovenia.

Decathlon, the world's largest sports retailer, is now entering Serbia. Partnering with BIG CEE group, the retailer plans to open its first store in Q2 2019 at Big Fashion Park Belgrade.

Ikea’s presence is growing rapidly in the SEE region. Construction is underway at the second store in Bucharest and there are further plans for new developments. Viviana Pavel, Real Estate and Development Manager at Ikea South East Europe shared her thoughts on the retail market, e-commerce and the company’s regional expansion.

Cushman & Wakefield has signed an exclusive arrangement with CBS International as its affiliate in Serbia and Montenegro. The former CBRE affiliate has been rebranded to Cushman & Wakefield CBS International.

GTC closed 2017 with a €105 million development profit. The company acquired Belgrade Business Center (17,700 sqm) in September 2017 and the Cascade office building (4,200 sqm) in Bucharest in August 2017 for a total sum of €46 million. GTC presented its 2017 financial results.

Hungarian investor and developer Wing has acquired two office buildings in Sofia, Bulgaria for a total of €9.85 million. The DXC Office Building has 8,000 sqm GLA, while the BULMAG Office Building offers 770 sqm of leasable space.

The EBRD and IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, are boosting the retail sector in Serbia, Montenegro and FYR Macedonia with €164 million in loans to the investment firm Hystead.