Raben Romania expands operations with new warehouse at CTPark Brașov West

CTP has signed a lease agreement with Raben Romania for 1,800 sqm of space at CTPark Brașov West.

This new warehouse brings Raben’s network in Romania to 10 facilities, totaling 15,000 sqm leased within CTParks across the country.

The warehouse in Brașov will function as a logistics hub for cross-docking, contract logistics, co-packing, and last-mile deliveries to retailers in the region. It will operate as part of Raben’s daily-connected network with other facilities in Sibiu, Bucharest, Roman, and Buzău.

Raben currently leases 261,000 sqm of space across six countries in Central and Eastern Europe within the CTPark network, including Poland and the Czech Republic.

George Clipa, Domestic Road Network Manager at Raben Logistics Romania, stated that the new warehouse strengthens the company’s national logistics capabilities and supports efficient connections between Brașov and other European markets such as Poland, the Czech Republic, and Germany.

The agreement reflects Brașov’s growing significance as a logistics and production hub in central Romania and continues the partnership between Raben and CTP.

Viorela Olteanu, Business Developer at CTP Romania, noted that Brașov is attracting companies seeking to optimize supply chains and establish production operations, supported by local infrastructure and workforce availability.

CTP plans to develop two additional buildings totaling 10,000 sqm at CTPark Brașov West, tailored for logistics and light industrial activities, and built to sustainability standards.

CTPark Brașov West is situated 15 minutes from Brașov, with direct links to major transport routes including E68, E60, the future A3 motorway, and Brașov-Ghimbav International Airport. The park spans 12.6 hectares and offers Class A industrial spaces designed for flexible and energy-efficient operations.

CTP’s portfolio in Romania exceeds 3 million sqm of GLA, covering locations such as Bucharest, Arad, Sibiu, Oradea, Timișoara, Craiova, and now Brașov.

Poland: Job offer barometer shows continued decline in second quarter

The Job Offer Barometer, compiled by the Department of Economics and Finance at the University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszów and the Office for Investment and Economic Cycles, recorded a slight decrease in June 2025. The index fell to 255.6 points from 257.8 points in May and 258.7 points in June 2024. This marks the third consecutive monthly decline, leaving the index slightly below its level at the end of last year.

Across broad occupational categories, demand remained steady for positions requiring social science education, while services saw no significant change, influenced by continued corrections in tourism and further declines in logistics. Vacancies for manual workers declined for another month, although demand remains relatively high. Meanwhile, there has been a modest and persistent increase in job offers for graduates in science fields, particularly in IT and construction. However, data suggest that growth in IT job postings stems largely from hiring by a small group of large employers, rather than broad sectoral recovery.

The registered unemployment rate, excluding seasonal workers, declined by 0.1 percentage points in May to 5.0%.

In June, more provinces recorded decreases in job advertisements than increases. Larger monthly declines were seen mostly in provinces with already low unemployment rates. Podlaskie, Lubelskie, and Opolskie provinces reported the most notable increases in job offers, while Śląskie, Pomorskie, and Małopolskie experienced the largest decreases.

Among broad occupational groups, only roles requiring science or engineering education saw an increase in vacancies compared to the previous month. This marked the seventh consecutive rise, though growth has slowed since April and remains modest. Overall, the level of job postings is still low in historical terms. Growth in job offers for these occupations was primarily driven by positions in IT and the construction industry. Other occupational groups saw a month-on-month decline in vacancies, with the most significant drop recorded among manual workers. This decline is the third in a row and the largest since December, despite sustained demand for workers in this category.

For occupations requiring education in social sciences and law, cyclical declines persisted across several job categories, though some areas showed signs of stabilization. In June, more job categories experienced declines in vacancies than increases. Notably, new job advertisements were most frequent for graphic designers, call centre employees, and marketing specialists. Demand for call centre employees, office workers, and banking professionals has remained largely stable in recent months. There are emerging signs of recovery in demand for human resources specialists and finance professionals. Marketing roles, following significant declines in previous years, have seen five consecutive months of increasing vacancies, though the overall level remains low. The real estate sector has experienced three months of rising job offers, though vacancies remain slightly below levels seen a year ago. The largest monthly decreases in job postings were observed for legal professionals and corporate procurement staff, along with continued declines in sales roles. Except for a brief pause in February, legal job vacancies have fallen consistently for a year. Customer service roles have also seen a prolonged decline since February, although the number of vacancies remains relatively high compared to historical levels.

Among job offers for graduates in science and engineering, half of the job categories recorded increases in June, while declines were generally modest. The highest number of new job postings appeared for programmers, R&D staff, and IT system administrators. Vacancies for programmers and IT administrators have gradually increased over the past eight months, except for a drop in March for administrators. However, data suggest that recent increases in IT job postings are driven mainly by recruitment efforts from a few large employers rather than a broad recovery across the sector. The number of companies seeking IT workers in the first half of 2025 was also lower than during the same period last year. Outside of IT, the construction sector continues to see a positive trend in job postings. Meanwhile, vacancies for R&D and e-commerce professionals fell in June compared to May. Engineering vacancies decreased for the fourth time this year and have been declining steadily since mid-2022.

In service professions, job vacancies rose in June only in education and media. Education has maintained a high level of job offers for several years, while media continues to follow a long-term downward trend. Other service sectors saw reductions in job postings, with the most significant declines in tourism and logistics. Tourism has entered a correction phase following record highs in the previous quarter, while logistics continues its downward trajectory, with vacancy numbers falling consistently over the past year except for a few brief periods of growth.

Scallier to commercialize five new retail parks in Poland

Scallier has obtained exclusive rights to commercialize five new retail parks planned in Toruń, Bydgoszcz, Ruda Śląska, Zabrze, and Darłowo. Construction is scheduled to start between late 2025 and early 2026, with the facilities expected to open during the first half of 2027. Altogether, the projects will offer a total gross leasable area exceeding 40,000 sqm.

According to Bartosz Nowak, Managing Partner at Scallier, the company’s approach involves analyzing local markets and tenant demand to define appropriate tenant mixes, set rental levels, and design leasing strategies that balance investor expectations with customer convenience for everyday shopping.

In Bydgoszcz, a retail park of approximately 13,000 sqm will be developed on Grunwaldzka Street, near residential areas and national road DK80. Toruń’s planned retail park will cover 10,000 sqm on Bukowa Street, adjacent to housing estates and a main ring road.

In Darłowo, the first phase of development will create over 7,000 sqm of retail space on the main access road to Darłowo and Darłówko. Despite having around 12,000 permanent residents, the town attracts about one million tourists annually, contributing to the demand for retail services.

The second phase of a retail park in Ruda Śląska will add 6,000 sqm of space near existing commercial facilities such as Castorama and Aura Park.

In Zabrze, Scallier is managing both the commercialization and the full development of a retail park on Wolności Street, which is being constructed on the site of a former supermarket. An adjacent Aldi store will supplement the retail offering.

Scallier has also recently been involved in several openings. In November 2024, it commercialized a retail park in Ruda Śląska, followed by a park in Pyrzyce in May 2025. Earlier this year, the company delivered a retail facility in Kościan through the redevelopment of a former Tesco building, now housing tenants including Worldbox, Rossmann, Sinsay, Xtreme Fitness, and grocery anchor tenant Biedronka.

Further openings are planned for later this year. A 6,700 sqm retail park on Bukowska Street in Poznań is set to open in August, anchored by Lidl. In October, Wrocław will see the launch of a retail park on Średzka Street, while December will bring the opening of a 7,200 sqm facility on Bydgoska Street in Chełmża.

Nowak noted that there is still potential for growth in the Polish retail park sector, citing lower market saturation levels and steady interest in local shopping centers. Scallier continues to expand its tenant portfolio with both new brands entering Poland and established retailers and service providers, aiming to offer a variety of services and retail categories, including fashion, sports, health, beauty, and leisure.

ZEITGEIST Asset Management completes mixed-use development in Krakow

ZEITGEIST Asset Management has announced that its mixed-use project, ZEITRAUM – Racławicka 58, has received an occupancy permit and BREEAM certification. The development, located in Krakow’s Krowodrza district, combines a private student residence and serviced apartments to help address the city’s housing needs.

The building, which will open this autumn, features two distinct sections. The left wing contains a private student residence with 289 beds, while the right wing offers 182 serviced apartments. The project is operated by ZEITRAUM, a subsidiary of ZEITGEIST Asset Management, which currently manages multiple student residences and apartment buildings in Poland and the Czech Republic.

Peter Noack, co-founder and CEO of ZEITGEIST Asset Management, explained that flexibility was a core design principle for the development. Both sections of the building can be adapted to changing market demands due to a modular layout.

The student residence has been designed to support both academic and recreational needs. It includes single rooms and communal facilities such as a gaming room, relaxation areas, a gym, and spaces for yoga.

The serviced apartment section consists of units designed for both short-term and long-term stays, featuring a cohesive design in neutral tones and modern furnishings. The property also includes underground parking with electric vehicle charging points, bicycle storage, and a central green courtyard.

The building’s architecture was developed to integrate well into the surrounding urban environment, with a U-shaped design and a central courtyard aimed at enhancing circulation and creating shared spaces. Tomasz Dąbrowski, Managing Director of ZEITGEIST Asset Management Polska, noted the building’s emphasis on natural light and good interior acoustics. The project was completed in collaboration with Reesco Hospitality and B2 Studio.

The new development comes amid significant demand for student housing in Krakow, which has over 130,000 students but limited accommodation options in public and private residences. The shortfall leaves a large number of students seeking private rentals or shared housing.

Zdena Noack, Managing Director of ZEITRAUM, highlighted that the Racławicka project was designed to combine privacy with communal spaces, aiming to support both academic focus and social interaction.

ZEITRAUM Racławicka is situated 10 to 20 minutes by public transport from major Krakow universities and is adjacent to the Łobzów train station, which offers a four-minute connection to Kraków Główny train station. The Krowodrza district, where the building is located, offers various amenities including restaurants, cultural venues, parks, sports facilities, and essential services.

Move-ins at Racławicka Street are planned for this autumn, with reservations already underway for spaces available from 1 September.

Tobias Lagaly appointed Center Manager of EUROPA-Galerie Saarbrücken

Sonae Sierra has announced the appointment of Tobias Lagaly as the new Center Manager of the EUROPA-Galerie Saarbrücken, an inner-city shopping center managed on behalf of owner Union Investment.

Lagaly, who is originally from Saarbrücken, has over a decade of experience in center management, where he has been involved in the development and repositioning of multiple retail locations in southern Germany. He is also recognized in the industry for his work in event planning and activation concepts.

Christine Hager, Director of Property Management at Sonae Sierra in Germany, said that Lagaly’s familiarity with the Saarbrücken area and his industry experience will contribute to both operational and strategic management of the center.

Lagaly expressed enthusiasm about his new role, noting the opportunity to further develop the EUROPA-Galerie in his hometown and enhance its position as a shopping destination in Saarbrücken.

Tobias Lagaly succeeds Dennis Bastuck, who previously held the role of Center Manager at the EUROPA-Galerie. Sonae Sierra oversees administration, marketing, leasing, and project management for the property.

Atradius survey finds businesses skeptical about Germany’s investment program

While the German government has announced plans to invest over half a trillion euros to modernize infrastructure, support digitalization, and meet climate targets, a new survey indicates significant skepticism among German businesses about the program’s implementation and impact.

The investment initiative, financed through a special credit-funded fund, includes an immediate investment program passed last week by both the Bundestag and the Bundesrat. Despite the scale of the effort, many companies remain doubtful that the measures will translate into tangible benefits for their own investment plans.

“Only a quarter of businesses believe that the federal government’s immediate program is feasible,” said Frank Liebold, Country Director Germany at credit insurer Atradius. He noted that while the program aims to stimulate growth and provide long-term planning security, many businesses question whether these goals will be achieved.

Atradius conducted a survey of over 480 companies across various sectors including automotive, construction, chemicals, services, finance, IT, and manufacturing. The survey revealed that nearly three-quarters of respondents see reducing bureaucracy in planning and approval processes as the most effective way to encourage investment. Other priorities include lowering corporate tax rates from 2028 (58 percent), reforms to reduce energy costs (52 percent), tax write-offs on equipment investments until 2027 (44 percent), and expansion of digital infrastructure (43 percent).

Fewer businesses believe that promoting electric mobility will significantly impact their investment plans, with only 15 percent citing it as a priority.

Businesses expressed a clear preference for the special fund’s resources to be allocated toward traditional infrastructure projects such as transport networks, digital expansion, housing construction, and education.

Despite the scale of planned investments, only about eight percent of companies surveyed consider the government’s measures fully sufficient to secure long-term economic growth. Nearly half remain undecided, while around one in five view the measures as inadequate.

Concerns also extend to the feasibility of implementing the program. More than 70 percent of respondents anticipate significant obstacles, citing delays in legislation and approvals as the primary challenges. Other issues include a shortage of skilled workers, unclear priorities, resistance from regional governments or civil society groups, and administrative complexity. Financial risks such as potential reallocation of funds or future budget cuts also contribute to the uncertainty felt by about a quarter of businesses.

Nevertheless, if implemented effectively, businesses see potential benefits. Two-thirds expect reduced bureaucratic hurdles, while 64 percent anticipate better investment conditions through tax reforms. Half of the companies surveyed expect improvements in the energy supply.

“Companies are willing to invest but require clear framework conditions and planning certainty,” said Liebold. “For the special fund to be effective, decision-making processes need to become significantly more efficient.” He added that the recent legislative steps, including extended depreciation options and proposed corporate tax reductions, are positive but must be accompanied by efforts to reduce bureaucracy and improve digital infrastructure to ensure timely execution of the stimulus measures.

The survey participants ranged from companies with annual turnovers of under five million euros to those exceeding one billion euros, employing anywhere from fewer than 100 to more than 1,500 people.

CTP to develop 12,000 sqm facility for E.ON subsidiary at CTPark Mülheim

CTP, a listed European developer and operator of industrial and logistics real estate, has announced plans to construct a build-to-suit logistics facility for Westenergie AG, a subsidiary of E.ON SE, at CTPark Mülheim in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

The new facility will cover approximately 12,000 square meters of rental space. Westenergie AG will consolidate two metering business units from Essen-Kettwig and Mülheim into the building, which will include office areas, a logistics center for metering device technology, and a state-approved test center for metering devices. The company has signed a long-term lease for the premises.

CTPark Mülheim occupies a brownfield site previously used as an industrial rolling mill, acquired by CTP from Vallourec in 2023. The developer is transforming the 335,000 square meter site into a business park intended to offer over 160,000 square meters of space for research and development, laboratories, co-working, industrial, and logistics facilities. Target industries include life sciences and IT manufacturing.

The location of CTPark Mülheim in the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region provides direct access to several major highways and is in proximity to cities such as Düsseldorf, Duisburg, Dortmund, and Essen. The site is also connected to logistics networks serving Belgium and the Netherlands, including major ports like Amsterdam, Antwerp, and Rotterdam.

Bernd Böddeling, Senior Vice President Energy Networks Germany at E.ON and CEO of Westenergie AG, noted that the new building will support future growth in the region. Marc Buchholz, Mayor of Mülheim an der Ruhr, said that E.ON’s presence signals the area’s attractiveness for high-growth businesses.

Timo Hielscher, Managing Director M&A at CTP Deutschland, stated that the development reflects CTP’s focus on repurposing brownfield sites and leveraging the potential of the Rhine-Ruhr region.

CTP aims to achieve DGNB Gold certification for sustainable construction at the site, including the installation of a photovoltaic system to support a fossil-free energy supply. Completion of the project is expected in the third quarter of 2027. Brockhoff & Partner and the city of Mülheim an der Ruhr are also involved in the project.

Hillwood & LCube Wrocław East nears 80% lease occupancy

Hillwood & LCube Wrocław East, a modern A-class logistics center situated near the Eastern Bypass of Wrocław, has reached a leasing level of nearly 80%, according to the developers. The facility has continued to attract tenants amid competitive conditions in the Lower Silesian logistics market.

In recent weeks, three new lease agreements have been signed at the site, and one existing tenant has expanded its occupied space. The center’s tenant mix now includes an IT equipment distributor, a company from the sustainable fashion sector, and a supplier serving the construction industry. Additionally, a firm operating in the armaments sector has increased its leased area within the park.

Justyna Kononowicz, Business Development Director at Hillwood Polska, stated that the recent transactions reflect the project’s steady progress and the firm’s ongoing efforts to maintain flexibility and communication with tenants.

The logistics center has been constructed to high technical standards and holds a BREEAM certificate at the Excellent level, indicating its adherence to sustainability and energy efficiency benchmarks.

Karol Bandura, President of the Management Board of LCube, noted that environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors are increasingly influencing tenant decisions alongside location and operating costs. He added that the center’s transport links—including access via the Wrocław Agglomeration Railway—enhance its attractiveness for companies seeking efficient connections to Wrocław and other regions in Poland.

Hillwood & LCube Wrocław East benefits from direct access to the Eastern Wrocław Bypass and proximity to key regional road networks, including the S8, A8 expressways, and the A4 motorway. The location offers convenient routes to Germany, the Czech Republic, and Warsaw, supporting both domestic and international logistics operations.

One Colmore Row in Birmingham fully let following new lease agreement

Catella APAM, a UK real estate asset and investment manager, has secured a lease agreement with professional services firm Crowe LLP at One Colmore Row in Birmingham. The deal brings the building to full occupancy and represents the latest addition to Catella APAM’s regional office portfolio.

The new lease covers the 8th floor of the building, totaling 4,169 square feet, and has been agreed on a 10-year term with a tenant break option after five years. The lease sets a new rental benchmark for the property at £45 per square foot.

One Colmore Row, located in Birmingham’s Colmore Business District, provides Grade A office accommodation with views over the city and strong transport links, making it an attractive location for businesses.

William Grenfell, Associate Director at Catella APAM, noted that achieving full occupancy at the property demonstrates the resilience of Birmingham’s office market and reflects the firm’s integrated management approach across asset strategy, lease negotiations, and property operations.

Catella APAM manages the property on behalf of Britannia Invest A/S, a Danish pension fund. The company continues to focus on enhancing performance across regional cities by aligning leasing activities with asset management and tenant requirements.

Construction begins on Andersa Retail Park in Gliwice

Construction has started on Andersa Retail Park, a new shopping complex situated at the intersection of Andersa and Okulickiego streets in Gliwice. The two-storey development, offering more than 4,900 square meters of retail space, has already secured lease agreements for most of its units.

The tenant mix includes brands such as Sinsay, Żabka, Rossmann, and Fabryka Formy. Kaufland has been confirmed as the grocery anchor for the project. The retail park will also feature a fitness club operated by a national chain and will provide a shared parking area with 278 spaces for visitors. The site is located near other retail outlets, including Lidl and Biedronka stores, further expanding the shopping options available in the area.

Piotr Szymoński, Director at Walter Herz, which is handling the leasing for the project, noted that the Gliwice retail market is competitive due to a high density of shopping centers and retail parks, with several developments ongoing or planned. He indicated that despite market saturation, there remains significant interest among tenants for new retail space in the city.

The development and design of Andersa Retail Park are being managed by SPEC BAU POLSKA, which is also acting as the general contractor. Construction is proceeding on schedule, with the opening of the retail park planned for the first half of 2026. Approximately 200,000 people live within a 15-minute drive of the location.

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