Coffee with Craig Show – daily CRE news covering the CEE region, Wednesday, December 14 with Winston Norman, Editor and Chief of EuropaProperty.com.
EBRD invests in CEE green commercial real estate
The EBRD is supporting the development of green commercial real estate in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) with an equity investment of up to €50 million, in partnership with Adventum Penta.
The partnership will acquire real-estate assets, which will then undergo upgrades to improve their resource efficiency. Investments include the greening of the Sky Tower mixed-use building in Poland and the sustainability improvement of a portfolio of Tesco-anchored retail parks in Hungary and the Czech Republic.
Kristóf Bárány, Founding Partner of Adventum Ltd., said: “The rigorous ESG requirements of the EBRD have been adopted by Adventum.”
Sustainability sits at the heart of the EBRD’s investment, as the acquired buildings are required to achieve BREEAM certification with at least a “very good” rating, an equivalent rating from an internationally recognised green certification scheme, or at least a 30 percent energy saving.
DHL Supply Chain builds 400,000 sqm of carbon-neutral warehouses
DHL Supply Chain has developed a carbon-neutral real estate portfolio of 400,000 sqm to support customers’ growth requirements across six European Tier 1 markets.
The 14 units, constructed across 10 development sites, are located across major logistics markets in Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Italy and Poland. All buildings will meet key sustainability criteria such as BREEAM Excellent and EPC A, comply with EU taxonomy and undergo a Carbon Risk Real Estate Monitor (CRREM) assessment.
“We are very proud to be able to offer our clients effective growth opportunities, with warehouses that are not only located in core markets and fulfil our client’s needs, but also meet the highest ESG and sustainability criteria,” says Joe Mikes, Global Head of Real Estate Solutions at DHL Supply Chain.
DHL Supply Chain’s investment and strategic partner is Allianz Real Estate.
DHL Supply Chain will occupy at least 85% of the facilities developed for Allianz Real Estate on long-term leases post-completion.
Lofts in Fuzja to be launched
Fuzja is a flagship mixed-use project by Echo Investment being developed in the centre of Łódź on the grounds of a former factory. The mixed-use project is being built on an area of 8 hectares, surrounded by historic buildings. A total of 22 buildings will be located on 8 hectares, 15 of which are historic buildings.
On the residential side, one of the buildings will be completely restored offering 171 lofts. While a new building offering 160 loft-style apartments will also appear. Future residents will be able to access the new units in the first quarter of 2025. The design of lofts and loft apartments are created by the Medusa Group, which is also the designer of the entire complex.
“Łódź has become famous in recent years for its city-forming mixed-use projects,” says Adam Pustelnik, First Deputy Mayor of Łódź.
“With its rich historical background and dream location as well as its unique atmosphere, the lofts in Łódź-based Fuzja is one of the most unique projects in Poland,” says Dawid Wrona, Sales Director of residential projects at Echo Investment.
Office deliveries in Bucharest to reach 360,000 sqm by 2024
Around 130,000 sqm of new modern offices could be delivered this year, with a total of roughly 360,000 sqm possible for the 2022-2024 period, though the 2024 calendar could be postponed, according to real estate consultancy Colliers.
The agency’s consultants point out that annualized demand for office spaces has officially returned to pre-pandemic intensity, recording 2019 levels, but many challenges exist on the horizon, due to rising costs of finance and the overall economic uncertainty.
“Besides increasing the uncertainty factor, the conflict in Ukraine has not had visible effects on the local office market, but it is fallout – particularly the higher inflation and subsequent rising cost of risk – is relevant.,” explained Silviu Pop, Director CEE & Romania Research at Colliers.
At the end of H1 2022, the office stock in Bucharest reached 3.27 million sqm.
Cargus reaches 3,000 Ship & Go locations in Romania
Cargus SHIP & GO network in Romania has reached 3,000 locations, most of which are pick-up and drop-off points, covering over 750 cities in Romania. These include 150 locations in Bucharest. Cargus lockers are present in easily accessible areas – retail networks, gas stations, but also in residential spaces.
“A complete experience also means constant investments in the diversification of delivery options. Over the past two years, we have made consistent efforts to develop the SHIP & GO network, so that more and more consumers can benefit from the control, flexibility and freedom when choosing where to have their package delivered,” says Anda Bucșan, Cargus Chief Customer Officer.
Nord Events Center by Globalworth launched in Bucharest
Globalworth announced the launch of the newest, most technological and most complex conference centre in Bucharest: NORD EVENTS CENTER by Globalworth. With impressive architecture, the centre was designed in the northern area of the capital to serve the business Globalworth community, being the landlord that owns an impressive portfolio of over 210 companies in Romania. For the operation of this premises, Globalworth partnered with Universum Events, the largest organizer of corporate events in the country.
“have large and very large companies in our portfolio, so the idea of helping them materialized by building a conference room,” said Dimitris Pergamalis, MRICS Group, Head of Workplaces at Globalworth.
