NBI: Real Estate Enters a New Era – More Stable, More Mature, and Driven by Premium Investments

The real estate market is entering a phase of stabilization, with premium investments taking center stage. North Bucharest Investments generated transactions exceeding €57 million in Q1 2026, as investors increasingly shift their strategies toward consolidated assets and sustainable returns.

Official data released by ANCPI for March confirms this trend. At national level, 53,375 properties were transacted, marking a significant increase compared to February and a slight decrease versus the same period last year, outlining a more balanced and predictable market. Bucharest remains the main hub, with 8,641 transactions, followed by Ilfov and Cluj, further reinforcing the attractiveness of major urban centers.

In this context, North Bucharest Investments recorded a total transaction volume of over €57 million in the first quarter of 2026, confirming sustained interest in premium properties and well-positioned investments. Portfolio-type transactions are becoming increasingly relevant, including an investment package of 11 apartments, with a total value exceeding €2.1 million, reflecting investors’ preference for consolidated placements in projects with stable potential.

The premium segment continues to outperform the broader market. In the luxury segment, demand remains strong, including for end-user residential acquisitions. In Q1 2026, the North Bucharest Investments team brokered a transaction exceeding €2.3 million, representing the acquisition of a spacious penthouse with panoramic views over the Floreasca area, intended for residential use. This transaction highlights a clear shift among high-net-worth clients toward top-tier properties and decisions increasingly driven by quality of life rather than yield alone.

Recent market dynamics point to a recovery in active demand, supported by the monthly increase in transactions, while year-on-year comparisons indicate a natural filtering of speculative demand. At the same time, the decrease in mortgage volumes reflects a more cautious approach from buyers, without signaling a market slowdown, while the rise in forward property registrations confirms continued confidence in new residential developments.

“We are seeing a market that is maturing and stabilizing. We are no longer talking about abrupt fluctuations, but about more informed decisions. Investors are becoming more selective, yet they continue to allocate capital, especially in premium areas in the north of Bucharest. Portfolio transactions and those in the luxury segment clearly confirm this trend,” says Vlad Musteață, Founder & CEO, North Bucharest Investments

Nhood attracts 13 new retail brands and 21 new concept stores in Romanian centers

Nhood has accelerated the transformation of the 464 shopping centers it manages in Europe into true multi-use destinations, attracting major international brands and integrating new local services. This strategy is resulting in improved performance compared to 2024: 600 million visitors, 1,215 leases signed (+15% vs. 2024), and an occupancy rate of 95% across Europe.

In Romania, the centers managed by Nhood welcomed 13 new retail brands and 21 new concept stores, including Rituals, Secom, Smyk, D’s Damat, Cropp, Daar and Action, confirms the positive dynamics of the local retail ecosystem. A major destination in the country, the Coresi Shopping Resort strengthened its appeal through major openings, including Oysho, H&M, Waikiki, dm, Benvenutti, Pizza Hut, Lego and CCC.

Nhood’s Retail & Specialty Leasing team in Romania manages projects in 20 shopping centers with a total area of over 177,000 sqm GLA. The year 2025 was marked by a sustained pace of activity, resulting in over 14,000 sqm leased through 185 signed transactions and 23 new stores opened.

“The Romanian market remains exceptionally attractive for major international retailers and brands looking to expand within the region. At Nhood, our role goes beyond the classic area of space leasing. We offer complete consultancy in the retail and leasing area, from identifying opportunities and optimizing commercial layout, to repositioning the tenant mix and managing complex negotiations. The results of 2025 confirm that combining an international perspective with local expertise allows us to increase the value of assets and improve the visitor experience”, stated Mihaela Petruescu, Country Director for Property Services Romania & Poland at Nhood.

BCR opens regional hub in Palas Campus Iași

Palas Campus in the center of Iași will host, starting this fall, the new regional hub of Banca Comerciala Romana (BCR). The BCR headquarters will occupy an area of approximately 1,000 square meters.

“BCR’s decision to relocate its regional branch headquarters to Palas Campus reconfirms the attractiveness of our building as a business hub. The adaptability of the spaces, designed to meet the requirements of companies from various fields, from IT, automotive and banking, to medical services, was an essential factor in transforming Palas Campus into one of the most appreciated office destinations in Romania. The central positioning of the building, very well connected to the urban infrastructure, ensures easy access both on foot, being just five minutes from the Palas mixed-use complex and having the main local institutions in close proximity, and by car. BCR customers will continue to have all the facilities they are used to and will also benefit from the services in the retail and leisure area of Palas Campus, which includes cafes, restaurants and medical services”, said Ionuț Pavel, Office Buildings Manager Palas Iași.

“The opening of the BCR regional hub in Palas Campus reflects how we want the bank to be today: close to people, integrated into the city’s dynamics and ready to offer more than just financial services. The new space will be designed as a place for financial dialogue, where customers – individuals and companies – can openly discuss their plans and find tailored solutions for saving, investing or business development. Iași is one of the most important economic and university centers in Romania, and through this relocation we want to be even closer to the community that contributes to its development”, said Nicoleta Grăjdeanu, BCR Regional Retail Director.

REDPORT launches Phase IV of THE LEVEL APARTMENTS

On the occasion of its 10-year anniversary, REDPORT announces the launch of Phase IV of THE LEVEL APARTMENTS residential project, that marks the completion of the development built in four phases in the Străulești – Petrom City area in northern Bucharest.

THE LEVEL APARTMENTS comprises approximately 500 units, with an estimated market value of around EUR 85 million, structured across four development stages.

The Phase IV includes 202 premium apartments, following a GDV (gross development value) exceeding EUR 43 million.

“The launch of Phase IV represents a natural step in the evolution of THE LEVEL APARTMENTS project. The first three phases have validated the demand for modern housing in the Străulești area, while this final phase completes the development of a coherent urban community, built progressively in line with market dynamics and the real needs of buyers. We are proud that this launch coincides with REDPORT’s 10-year anniversary, marking a decade since we set out to professionalize the residential segment. The success of THE LEVEL validates our phased approach to building landmark communities,” said Cosmin Savu Cristescu, CEO and Founder of REDPORT.

Reghin will host a large-scale Multifunctional Center

The municipality of Reghin is set to host a new large-scale multifunctional center, a real estate project with a height regime of 2B+GF+10 floors, located at the intersection of Unirii Boulevard and Pandurilor Street. The initiative proposes the functional conversion of a 4,010-square-meter plot of land, aiming to transform the area into a mixed-use hub of interest.

The investment belongs to the company Coreunity Holdings from Ilfov, on a site owned by Ardeale Cosmetics SRL, where a showroom, an auto service, an ITP station, and a car wash currently operate—buildings that will be completely demolished.

The project, designed by the Domus architecture office from Târgu Mureș, provides for a wide range of uses: a supermarket, commercial spaces, offices, hotel or aparthotel accommodation units, collective housing, medical clinics, and event areas.

The investment is entirely private, with the beneficiary assuming all expenses for the necessary interventions on the public domain related to the complex.

URBANO Shopping & Living will officially open its doors on May 21, 2026

URBANO Shopping & Living in Cluj will officially open its doors on May 21, 2026. The project is being developed by URBANO Group, on a 25-hectare plot of land in Florești commune.

“In recent months, our project has made significant and visible steps, both on site and in defining the mix of retailers. We have been progressing at a steady pace with the execution works and are in the final implementation stage, focusing on the last details necessary for the opening. In parallel, we have actively built a solid portfolio of brands, attracting relevant partners that complement and diversify the project’s offer. Our concept is built to offer a modern and dynamic experience that will become a reference point for the entire community in the Cluj Metropolitan Area,” says Horațiu Ilea, Director at Urbano Group.

The project includes 15,500 square meters of commercial and service spaces. The food area has attracted four reference brands: McDonald’s, Starbucks, Popeyes and Burger King.

Lidl opens its 400th store in Romania

The German retailer Lidl marks the opening of its 400th store in the local network, in the city of Voluntari, Ilfov County, a milestone in the company’s evolution on the Romanian market.

The retailer continues its expansion strategy and will inaugurate two more stores, in the municipality of Brașov and the city of Breaza, Prahova County, thus expanding the network nationwide.

For the 2026 financial year, the retailer announced a budget of over EUR 285 million for the expansion of the network, 56% higher than the previous year.

Currently, the Lidl team has over 14,000 employees.

Full List of CEE Nominees Announced for HOF Awards Gala 2026

CIJ World has officially announced the full list of nominees for the 11th edition of the HOF Awards Gala – Best of the Best Hall of Fame, set to take place on May 14 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bucharest. Marking the grand finale of the CIJ Awards series, the event will bring together the most accomplished projects and companies from across Central and Eastern Europe, as national winners compete for the prestigious “Best of the Best” title.

Nominees:

Best Office Development Of the Year

SK ZWIRN Office (9,609 sqm) – YIT Slovakia

PL The Bridge (47,000 sqm) – Ghelamco Poland

SL Vilharia Office (36,500 sqm) – Corwin

Best Office Buildup in Development

RO Timpuri Noi Square, Phase 2 – Vastint Romania

SK Chalupkova Offices – Penta Real Estate

PL Skyliner II (24,000 sqm) – Karimpol

Best Warehouse Development & Developer of the Year

RO CTPark Ploiesti (85,000sqm) – CTP

SK Mountpark, Bratislava (65,000 sqm)

PL Panattoni BTS Auchan (18,000 sqm)

SL LOGspot (27,820sqm) – ATRIOS

Best Warehouse Buildup in-Development

RO WDP Park Bucharest – Stefanesti – WDP (54,000 sqm)

PL Wrocław Campus 2 (102,000 sqm) – Panattoni

CZ Urbanity Campus Bruntál (55,000sqm) – Urbanity

Best Retail Development & Developer of the Year

RO H Stirbei Palace – Hagag Development Europe

SK Point Revúca (6,100 sqm) – OPC Real Estate

PL M Park Mrągowo (15,000 sqm) – LCP Poland, part of M Core

Best New Retail Lease of the Year

RO Auchan – 7,000 sqm – Sun Plaza – CPI

CZ Zara Flagship store – 10,200 sqm – Wenceslas Square – Columbia Threadneedle

PL Reserved – 2,800 sqm – Galeria Jurajska, Częstochowa

Best Local Commercial Real Estate Agency of the Year

RO Crosspoint Real Estate

SK Space Brokers

PL AXI IMMO

HU OTP Ingatlanpont

Best International Commercial Real Estate Agency of the Year

RO Cushman & Wakefield Echinox

CZ CBRE

PL Cushman & Wakefield

HU CBRE

Best Standard Residential Development of the Year

RO HILS Republica, phase I – HILS Development

SK Čerešne Residence – ITB Devdelopment

CZ Rezidence Opatov – Sekyra Group

Best Premium Residential Development of the Year

RO Amber Forest Phase 1 – Alesonor

SK Metropolis – MINT Investments

CZ Semerínka – Crestyl Real Estate

Best Residential Buildup in Development

RO AFI Home North, phase 2 – AFI Romania

SK Éclair, Bottova – IMMOCAP

Best Residential Real Estate Agency of the Year

RO North Bucharest Investments

SK HERRYS

CZ LEXXUS NORTON

PL Hamilton May Real Estate

Best Mixed-Use Buildup in-Development

RO Promenada Mall Bucharest – NEPI Rockcastle

PL Cukrownia Pruszcz Gdański – NDI Development

Best Refurbishment of the Year

RO H Stirbei Palace, Bucharest – Hagag Development Europe

CZ NR7, Prague – Crestyl real estate

CR King Cross Zagreb – SES

Best Leading Green Development & Developer of the Year

RO Timpuri Noi Square 2 – Vastint

PL The Bridge – Ghelamco Poland

CZ Urbanity Campus Bruntál – Urbanity

Best Commercial FIT-OUT (Project) of the Year

RO JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel – WEMAT

PL TRIBE Kraków – Stone Designs

HU Dorothea Hotel, Budapest – Piero Lissoni

Best Investment Transaction of the Year

RO M Core – 7 retail parks – MAS P.L.C (EUR 50mil)

SK Bory Mall, Bratislava – ZFP aquire from Penta Real Estate

CZ Palladium, Prague (59,300 sqm) – REICO

PL VIBE – Ghelamco to Manova Partners

Best Asset Management Company of the Year

SK Wood & Company

PL Blue Asset

CZ Mint Investments

HU Indotek Group

Best Performing Real Estate Property Fund of the Year

SK IAD Investments

CZ MINT rezidenční fond

PL INVESTIKA Real Estate Fund

HU OTP Real Estate Fund Management

Best Real Estate Property Fund Management of the Year

SK 365.invest

CZ Accolade

PL Blue Asset

HU Adventum Group

Best Real Estate Law Firm of the Year

RO PELI Partners

SK Kinstellar

HU Schoenherr

PL Dentons

Best Tax & Financial Advisory of the Year

RO Biris Goran

SK Highgate Law & Tax

CZ TPA

PL ASB Group

Best Constructor of the Year

RO Bog’Art

PL Atlas Ward Polska

HU Strabag

CZ Metrostav

Best Project Management Company of the Year

RO Vitalis Consulting

SK ATRIOS

HU KÉSZ Holding

CZ METROPROJEKT Praha

Best Facility Management Company of the Year

RO Coral Construct

PL Sodexo

HU B+N Referencia

Best Property Management Company of the Year

RO CBRE

PL LCP Poland Property Management

HU NEO Property Services

CZ RK Reality

Best Commercial Design Space Company of the Year

RO COS

HU DVM Group

PL Workplace

SK CAPEXUS

Architectural Studio of the Year

RO DRS Architects

PL APA Wojciechowski Architects

SK City Work Architects

CZ CHYBIK + KRISTOF

Best Marketing & PR Professional of the Year

RO Andreea Dumitru – Hagag

SK Katarina Kupcova – HERRYS

PL Przemysław Wardęga – LCP

Best Property Leadership of the Year

RO Michele Nusco – Nusco

SK Karol Šebo – United Real Estate

PL Marek Dobrzycki – Panattoni

CZ Roland Hofman – URBANITY

The HOF Awards 2026 promise more than trophies. It is an elegant evening of welcome drinks, meaningful networking, fine dining and entertainment—set against the backdrop of Bucharest and dedicated to celebrating those who truly shape the built environment.

HOF Awards 2026 confirmed Partners are: North Bucharest Investments, SPEEDWELL, AFI Romania,CPI Property Group, Cloud9 Residence, WDP,VASTINT, NEPI Rockcastle, Filip & Company, Coral Construct, Bog’Art, Lion’s Head, Carbon Tool, Crosspoint Real Estate, WEMAT, DRS Architects, COS, Omifa, Miss Green.

Impact Begins Construction of the Aria Verdi Residential Project

Impact Developer & Contractor announced that construction of the Aria Verdi residential project will begin next month. The gross development value of the new residential complex in the Barbu Văcărescu area of the capital is 501 million euros.

The 865 apartments will be built over two development phases. The works for the first phase will be completed in 2029. The first phase will have 401 apartments, and the second will come with another 464 apartments. These will be located in high-rise buildings of up to 20 floors.

The developer also says that in just one month since the launch, apartments worth 9.75 million euros have been reserved.

The Impact Strategy for the period 2026-2034 aims to build around 8,000 new apartments in five residential projects in Bucharest, Iași and Constanța, with a gross development value of 1.6 billion euros.

Source: economica.net

Prime Kapital Withdraws from Cluj-Napoca Project

Developer Prime Kapital has withdrawn from the giant project it planned to build in Cluj-Napoca, on the land of the former Sanex factory. The 18-hectare land of the former Sanex factory has been fully re-acquired by the Austrian group Lasselsberger, which is preparing to resume urban planning procedures.

Prime Kapital was planning to build a giant project, worth 330 million euros, with a 130,000-square-meter shopping center, as well as 12-story apartment blocks and office buildings.

City Hall officials and those from Urban Planning expressed dissatisfaction with the way the developers understood the requirements formulated at the last meeting, as well as Prime Kapital’s new offer regarding public facilities for the city.