Thursday, 29 October 2026
Eleven developments representing eight developers are competing in the Best Warehouse Development & Developer of the Year category at the CIJ Awards Romania 2026, highlighting the continuing expansion and diversification of the country’s industrial and logistics property market. The nominated projects range from large regional distribution centres and specialised manufacturing facilities to flexible industrial parks designed for smaller businesses.
The nominations reflect the different requirements shaping Romania’s industrial property sector, including demand for modern distribution infrastructure, manufacturing investment, improved transport connectivity and more adaptable accommodation for occupiers. Projects submitted for consideration are located across Bucharest and its surrounding logistics corridors, as well as Craiova, Brașov, Constanța and Sibiu. Together, they illustrate how developers are responding to changing business requirements through new construction, site regeneration, energy-efficient buildings and facilities designed for specific industrial activities.
CTP has nominated the 56,000 sqm LPP Logistics Regional Distribution Hub at CTPark Bucharest West. Delivered in less than a year, the highly automated facility supports the retailer’s distribution operations across Romania, Bulgaria and Greece, serving more than 450 stores alongside its e-commerce activities. The development forms part of a larger logistics hub with a planned capacity of approximately 215,000 sqm. CTP’s submission also highlights its wider Romanian operations, comprising a portfolio exceeding 3.2 million sqm of industrial and logistics space, and its continuing investment in facilities serving international occupiers.
Global Vision is represented by the Diehl Aviation production facility in Craiova, a development associated with Romania’s expanding role in European aerospace manufacturing. Opened in 2026, the project comprises approximately 12,000 sqm of production and office accommodation on a 33,500 sqm site, including 2,500 sqm of Class A+ offices. Developed under a long-term lease arrangement, the facility incorporates specialised manufacturing infrastructure and a rooftop photovoltaic installation with a capacity of 1 MW. The project initially supports approximately 75 employees, with the occupier planning to increase employment to as many as 500 as production expands.
ELI Parks has entered ELI Park Bucharest 5, a 37,700 sqm logistics and industrial development in the Buftea-Chitila area north-west of the capital. Completed in two phases of 21,200 sqm and 16,500 sqm, the project became operational in 2026 and provides warehouse accommodation with a clear height of 12 metres. Its location between the A1 and A3 motorway corridors offers access to Bucharest and national distribution routes, while the development’s flexible layout is intended to accommodate different warehousing and industrial requirements. ELI Park Bucharest 5 forms part of a wider industrial location with total development potential exceeding 300,000 sqm.
Lion’s Head has nominated its Logistics Park Popești-Leordeni, a project combining industrial development with the regeneration of a former brownfield site. The scheme has an overall planned area of approximately 85,000 sqm, of which 23,600 sqm had been constructed at the time of nomination, with 75% of the completed space leased. Positioned between Bucharest’s existing ring road and the A0 motorway, the park provides access to the capital and major national transport corridors. Supported by financing from the International Finance Corporation, the development incorporates environmental remediation, resource-efficiency measures and an environmental and social management framework. The project has also been designed with reference to EDGE certification recommendations.
Square 7, part of M Core, is participating with the first phase of Multipark Ghimbav in Brașov. The 16,000 sqm development introduces a flexible industrial property format intended to accommodate warehousing, light manufacturing, offices, trade-counter businesses and complementary commercial activities. Unlike conventional large distribution centres, the project provides smaller units that can be occupied individually, combined or subdivided according to business requirements. The development also allows for leisure and service activities, reflecting an approach that brings together industrial accommodation and supporting commercial uses within the same location.
Helios Phoenix has submitted two developments representing different segments of the industrial market. Olympian Palas Park Phase I in Constanța focuses on urban industrial and logistics accommodation, with a location intended to serve businesses requiring proximity to the city. The development targets last-mile distribution, courier operations and other activities that benefit from access to local customers and transport infrastructure. Its nomination draws attention to the role of modern industrial premises within established urban areas, where suitable development locations can be limited.
The developer’s second nomination, Olympian Park Otopeni Phase I, is positioned as a flexible industrial development capable of accommodating a wider range of activities. According to the submission, the Class A buildings are suitable for occupiers involved in recycling, food production, logistics and distribution. The project illustrates demand for industrial accommodation that can be adapted to different operational requirements rather than being restricted to conventional storage and distribution functions.
VGP has entered three developments, reflecting its activity across both large-scale logistics facilities and smaller industrial units. VGP Park Bucharest East, Building A, comprises approximately 33,000 sqm at the intersection of the A2 motorway and Bucharest’s ring road. The location connects the capital with the transport corridor serving the Port of Constanța. The development incorporates flexible warehouse accommodation and roof infrastructure prepared for future photovoltaic installations, supporting the potential integration of renewable energy generation.
VGP’s second nomination, Buildings A1 and A2 at VGP Park Sibiu, introduces a Small Business Unit format designed for companies seeking modern industrial accommodation without requiring extensive warehouse space. Located near the A1 motorway and Sibiu Airport, the buildings provide modular units starting from approximately 1,000 sqm. The development is intended to accommodate growing businesses requiring adaptable premises, modern technical specifications and the possibility of adjusting their occupied space as operational requirements change.
The third VGP nomination is Building B at VGP Park Bucharest Ștefănești, a 45,000 sqm logistics facility located near the A3 motorway and Bucharest’s ring road. The building provides a clear internal height of 12 metres and a floor loading capacity of 7 tonnes per sqm. Its technical specifications include energy-saving lighting systems and measures designed to improve operational efficiency. The development addresses demand for larger logistics facilities combining transport accessibility with modern building standards.
WDP completes the nominations with its distribution centre for Action at WDP Park Bucharest Ștefănești III. The project comprises approximately 54,000 sqm of warehouse accommodation, together with mezzanine and office areas, on a 15-hectare site. Designed to support Action’s entry into the Romanian market, the facility also offers the possibility of an additional 20,000 sqm expansion. According to the nomination, the development is targeting BREEAM Outstanding certification and will incorporate rooftop photovoltaic panels and energy-efficient building systems. The property is subject to a long-term lease of at least 15 years, with delivery anticipated by the end of 2026.
Across the nominations, several common themes emerge. Transport accessibility remains an important consideration, particularly for developments serving Bucharest and the country’s main motorway corridors. At the same time, the projects demonstrate that industrial property demand extends beyond large distribution warehouses. Aerospace manufacturing, smaller industrial units, urban logistics and adaptable accommodation for multiple business activities are also represented, reflecting the increasingly varied requirements of industrial occupiers.
Environmental performance is another recurring element, although the approaches differ between developments. The submissions refer to photovoltaic installations, energy-efficient building systems, brownfield remediation and recognised environmental certification frameworks. These measures are becoming part of the wider discussion surrounding industrial property development, alongside traditional considerations such as location, construction quality, building specifications and operational efficiency.
The category also brings together projects at different stages of development, from operational facilities to schemes with further construction or expansion planned. This provides a broad overview of current development activity while highlighting the importance of distinguishing completed achievements from future commitments when assessing individual nominations.
The Best Warehouse Development & Developer of the Year category forms part of the CIJ Awards Romania 2026, recognising developments and companies active in the country’s commercial real estate sector. The nominations will be considered through the awards’ judging process, which combines an independent professional jury representing 61% of the final result with online voting accounting for the remaining 39%.
With eleven projects representing different locations, building formats and industrial activities, the category provides a snapshot of Romania’s evolving logistics and manufacturing property landscape. The final results will be determined through the established CIJ Awards evaluation process, with each nominated development considered on its submitted merits.
