Bucharest Leads the Real Estate Market in February 2026, with the Northern Area Strengthening Its Role as an Investment Hub

Romania’s real estate market recorded 44,427 transactions in February 2026, representing an increase of 19,829 compared to January, according to data published by the National Agency for Cadastre and Real Estate Publicity (ANCPI).

The capital remains the main center of Romania’s real estate market, with 8,290 properties transacted, followed by Ilfov – 3,520 and Cluj – 2,101. In practice, the Bucharest–Ilfov region concentrates the largest share of real estate activity in the country, confirming the dominant role of the metropolitan area in the dynamics of the residential and investment markets.

Within this market, the northern area of Bucharest continues to attract the highest share of demand for new homes and investment properties, supported by the accelerated development of residential projects, proximity to business hubs, and expanding urban infrastructure.

Market data further confirms this trend: in February, North Bucharest Investments intermediated 111 real estate transactions, with a total value exceeding EUR 20,845,000, in residential projects located in the northern part of the capital.

“ANCPI data confirms what we observe in the market: Bucharest remains the main hub for real estate transactions in Romania, and the northern part of the capital continues to generate a significant share of residential activity. Demand is supported both by end buyers and investors seeking properties close to business hubs and modern infrastructure,” said Vlad Musteață, CEO of North Bucharest Investments.

At the national level, the number of mortgages reached 24,838 in February, including 3,814 in Bucharest and 2,045 in Ilfov, an indicator that reflects the sustained interest in financing real estate acquisitions, particularly in major urban centers.

According to NBI specialists, the concentration of investments in the northern part of the capital is supported by infrastructure development, proximity to business hubs, and the constant emergence of new residential projects, attracting both local buyers and investors interested in the appreciation potential of properties.

For investors, 2026 is shaping up to be a favorable entry window into Bucharest’s residential market, supported by clear structural factors: declining new supply, solid demand, and a likely easing of financing conditions.

Investor interest is increasingly focused on yield, liquidity, and asset quality, with emphasis on well-connected microlocations and technically efficient projects. Particularly in northern Bucharest, where quality supply is limited, the combination of available capital and increasingly high buyer standards creates the conditions for sustained price appreciation in a market that is entering a stage of investment maturity.

Returns for high-end investments remain among the most attractive in the region, while Bucharest continues to consolidate its position as a competitive investment hub.

Evergent Investments Enters 50% of North Lake Development’s Shareholding

The alternative investment fund Evergent Investments has taken over, through its subsidiary Ever Imo, 50% of the shares and voting rights of North Lake Development, an operation through which the group obtains indirect control over the real estate developer.

“The acquisition of the stake is part of the strategy to consolidate the private equity portfolio in the real estate sector and is part of the development plans of real estate projects that respond to the growing demand for premium residential spaces, offices and high-quality commercial facilities,” say Evergent representatives.

In 2025, the fund recorded record assets of RON 4.17 billion, up 23% over the previous year, respectively a net profit of RON 378.4 million, up 43.5%. The company has a market value of RON 2.6 billion.

TeraSteel Inaugurated New Factory in Calarasi

TeraSteel, one of the top three producers of sandwich panels – the “brick” of industrial, logistics and commercial projects – in Romania and part of the Kingspan Group, inaugurated its fourth factory – and the most modern to date. The new factory is located almost 64 kilometers from Bucharest on the highway, between Bucharest and Constanta.

The investment of over EUR 20 million – of which EUR 8 million represent state aid – was made in Lehliu-Gara, in Calarasi County.

The company plans to export mineral wool sandwich panels through the port of Constanta to Turkey, Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.

“We are one of the most important sandwich panel manufacturers in Romania. We are top three. But we are very active in northern Romania. We were covering the south with the factory in Serbia. But we reached maximum capacity with the two factories for about 3 years,” says Cosmin Pătroiu, CEO, TeraSteel.

Auchan Opens Discount Supermarket in Drumul Taberei

Auchan Retail Romania expands the ATAC network by opening a super discount store. The second ATAC store in Bucharest, located in the Drumul Taberei neighborhood, offers a compact, urban proximity format, while maintaining the advantages that define the ATAC concept: low prices on a generalized scale and discounts for larger volume purchases.

ATAC Super Discount, located on Str. Brașov no. 23C, has an area of over 2,200 sq m and an assortment of approximately 6,000 items.

The store has a team of 55 employees and has a parking lot with 200 spaces. The ATAC network currently has nine hyper discount stores, in Brașov, Ploiești, Timișoara, Târgu Mureș, Galați, Satu Mare, Sibiu, Bucharest and Oradea.

Source: Profit.ro

Altex Opens New Large-Scale Store

Altex Romania expands its network nationwide and opens its first store this year in Drobeta Turnu Severin. The new store, Altex Severin Greenfield, is among the largest units in the network and brings for the first time, in an Altex store, an area dedicated to kitchens.

With a commercial area of over 4100 sqm and a total area of over 5000 sqm, the store – the second in Mehedinți county – is located in Drobeta Turnu Severin Retail Park, developed by Cometex.

Altex Romania is one of the strongest Romanian brands, with over 34 years of experience in entrepreneurship. The company operates the Altex, Media Galaxy and Brico Depot brands. The company owns a network of over 165 stores nationwide.

FORTIM Study: Cluj-Napoca Continues to Lead Regional Office Markets

Among Romania’s regional office markets, companies leased the largest amount of space in Cluj-Napoca, which accounted for approximately 43% of the total office space contracted outside the capital, according to full-year 2025 data from a study conducted by Fortim Trusted Advisors, a member of the BNP Paribas Real Estate alliance.

Timisoara ranked second among regional cities, followed by Iași, which took third place.

The evolution of the Cluj-Napoca office market in 2025 follows an exceptional year in 2024, when the volume of leasing transactions reached a significantly higher level. Nevertheless, the leasing activity recorded in 2025 remains in line with the average level of the past five years.

“Cluj-Napoca continues to be the most attractive regional market for companies due to its stable economic environment, highly skilled workforce and modern office stock. Although the total transaction volume has adjusted compared to the peak recorded in 2024, the level of new leases indicates that there is still genuine demand and strategic expansion decisions for the medium and long term,” estimates Nicolae Ciobanu, Managing Partner – Head of Advisory at Fortim Trusted Advisors, an alliance member of the BNP Paribas Real Estate.

In 2025, compared with previous years, the difference in leased office space between the leading regional cities narrowed. Timisoara moved into second place, accounting for 30% of the total transaction volume, an increase compared with the previous year, further consolidating its position in the ranking.

Over the past five years, Cluj-Napoca, Timisoara and Iasi have consistently ranked among the top three regional office hubs, although their order has varied from year to year. This dynamic has been influenced both by changes in tenant demand and by the pace of new office building deliveries in each market.

Bucharest’s office leasing market remains almost three times larger

Regional cities recorded a total transaction volume of 60,248 sqm, which is about three times lower than in Bucharest, yet still significant in the context of the consolidation of local office markets.

Despite the considerable difference in volume, regional cities offer several competitive advantages, including lower operating costs, more affordable rents and access to a qualified workforce. In addition, ongoing infrastructure development and investments in modern office projects are increasing the attractiveness of these markets for companies seeking to diversify their national presence.

While Bucharest continues to concentrate most of the office demand, regional hubs are strengthening their role as viable alternatives, particularly for companies focused on operational efficiency and cost optimization.

“For 2026, we expect regional office markets to remain stable, supported by steady demand from major university cities that have established themselves as IT and outsourcing hubs. In the context of limited new project deliveries, the occupancy rate of modern office buildings could remain high, while companies continue to assess expansion or optimization of existing office space in cities such as Cluj-Napoca, Timisoara and Iasi. At the same time, we are seeing growing interest from operators in the medical sector in converting certain office buildings into clinics or medical centers,” added Nicolae Ciobanu.

Global Vision and Globalworth Announce New Retail Park Development in Constanța

Global Vision, in partnership with Globalworth, announces the start of development for a new retail park in Constanța.

The first phase of the development, located on a 35,000 sqm land plot, will feature a 2,300 sqm anchor space for a leading food retail chain and a 4,000 sqm commercial gallery with a curated mix of tenants.

“Developing this new retail park in Constanța is a natural step for us. It’s designed to meet the needs of both retailers and shoppers, while also being a solid, reliable addition to the existing portfolio for our investors. By carefully selecting tenants and planning the project in phases, we’re creating a space that works well for the community and makes sense from an investment business perspective ,” said Sorin Preda, CEO & Founder, Global Vision.

Construction of Phase 1 is scheduled to commence in Q3 2026, with delivery targeted for the second half of next year. The subsequent two phases will further scale the project, adding approximately 7,000 sqm of additional retail gallery space, including entertainment uses, alongside around 10,000 sqm allocated to a DIY store operator.

“This project reflects our continued confidence in Romania’s real estate sector and in the long-term growth potential of the Constanța metropolitan area. Together with Global Vision, we are developing a well-positioned retail destination that benefits from strong connectivity, a rapidly expanding residential catchment and solid retailer demand. We believe this development will become an important commercial hub for the southern part of Constanța and a valuable addition to our portfolio” stated Mihai Zaharia – Group Head of Capital Markets and Head of Investments Romania, Globalworth.

Nhood Launches Leasing for U1 building in Coresi Business Campus Brașov

Nhood announces the start of the leasing for the U1 building, the latest development phase within Coresi Business Campus, the central business hub of the Coresi District in Brașov. Nhood is managing the leasing process on behalf of the owner, Ceetrus, providing a full suite of integrated services, including promotion, development, project management, leasing, asset, property, and facility management.

The U1 building, featuring a total area of 12,500 sqm (of which 11,000 sqm is leasable), represents the fourth expansion phase of the campus and is scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2026. Designed to Class A standards, the project integrates advanced efficiency and sustainability criteria.

The first transaction has already been secured – a strategic tenant has contracted a 2,000 sqm area, confirming the project’s appeal well ahead of completion.

“The U1 building marks a natural next step in the evolution of Coresi Business Campus. We are building here because it makes sense; there is real demand and a mature, fully functional urban ecosystem. U1 meets the new market logic: companies are no longer just looking for space, but for a place that offers continuity, quality, and real value for their people,” stated Ruxandra Dragomir, Head of Development, Nhood Romania.

Băneasa Business & Technology Park Offices get EUR 6.5 Million Financing

Băneasa Business & Technology Park, the office project in northern Bucharest associated with businessman Puiu Popoviciu, obtained a loan of EUR 6.5 million from UniCredit Bank.

The office project, located on the Bucharest-Ploieşti highway, includes two buildings with a total leasable area of approximately 27,000 square meters, developed on a plot of approximately 24,400 square meters. Each building has five levels, and the complex has 795 underground and above-ground parking spaces.

Băneasa Business & Technology Park S.A. shareholders is controlled by Concavo Trading Limited, a company registered in Cyprus, which holds 64.8% of the shares, the remaining 35.2% being held by Băneasa Investments S.A.

The EUR 6.5 million loan from UniCredit Bank indicates either new investments in the complex or a refinancing of the office park operations.

Adrian Polec Bought an Agritourism Complex from Cristian Dumitrescu

Businessman Adrian Polec, who is working on 3 hotel projects in Bucharest, bought and relaunched the agritourism complex Grădina Vlahiia, developed by Cristian Dumitrescu in Snagov.

Adrian Polec bought the project and changed its name to Grădina Snagov, which now offers 12 rooms, 4-star, located in authentic Maramures houses that are over 100 years old. Grădina Snagov was developed on a 2.6-hectare plot of land as a nature reserve. There is an animal farm, vegetable gardens and orchard, greenhouses and an artificial lake.

“We recently added Grădina Snagov to our portfolio, a completely renovated property, previously known as Grădina Vlahiia, which we are repositioning as a destination for premium events and experiences in the Snagov area. At the same time, we have three ongoing hotel projects in Bucharest, at different stages of development, including the future North hotel. These investments are part of our consolidation and expansion strategy on the local market. In parallel, we aim to expand the portfolio to exceed the threshold of 10 properties operated under the APX Hotels brand in the coming period,” said Măriuca Cristea, CEO of APX Group.