Romania's real estate market, lower than in Poland, Czech Republic

Romania’s real estate investments amounted to EUR 400 million in the first six months of this year. By comparison, Poland’s real estate market reached EUR 1.5 billion during this period, whereas the Czech Republic saw real estate investments of EUR 2 billion, according to a study by Savills. Analysts believe that prospects are promising because the yields for class A offices in Romania amount to 7.5% compared to 5.5% in Poland or 4.85% in the Czech Republic. Investors have focused on the retail and industrial sectors in Romania, with record transactions between EUR 40 million and EUR 100 million. They come from South Africa, China or Belgium. Globalworth, the largest investor in the Romanian market, has diversified its portfolio with new industrial properties. The takeover of the Polona 68 office building by Smartown Investments was the largest transaction recorded in the Romanian office market in the first quarter of this year, with over EUR 15 million. In the second quarter of the year, the Maltese group Hili Properties acquired ArtGroup Business Center, with EUR 30 million. editor@romania-insider.com