All posts by tudor@cijeurope.com.

Architect Bogdan Alexandru Pintilie advances two residential developments in Central Bucharest

Architect Bogdan Alexandru Pintilie, founder and principal associate of Pintilie + Partners Architecture & Engineering (PPAE), is moving forward with two residential developments in Bucharest’s Icoanei area, a historic neighborhood located in the city center. The more advanced of the two projects is located at 48 Toamnei Street. Developed in collaboration with Călin-Felix Pintilie, the building comprises a basement, ground floor, and three upper levels, with a total area of approximately 1,000 square meters. Construction of this building is already complete.

The second project, situated less than a kilometer away, is being developed in partnership with Alexandru-Mihai and Cristian Butoi. The design includes a basement, ground floor, two floors, and a recessed third floor, covering about 1,200 square meters. This project is currently in the permitting phase and will replace an existing deteriorated house. Both developments are being carried out under the Pintilie Properties brand, the real estate development arm associated with the architect’s practice.

Source: Profit.ro

Croatian street food chain Koykan seeks EUR 3 million via bond sale for regional expansion

Croatian restaurant chain Koykan is aiming to raise EUR 3 million through a corporate bond issue to support its expansion plans across Central and Eastern Europe. The funding will help open new company-owned and franchise-operated outlets in seven countries over the next three years.

According to Dino Besic, Head of Marketing and Sales, 58% of the target amount has already been subscribed, with the offer still open to retail investors.

The bond carries an annual interest rate of 8%, paid semi-annually, and has a three-year maturity. Investors can choose between a standard bond with a EUR 1,000 minimum or a convertible bond—offering co-ownership in the company—with a minimum of EUR 50,000.

Koykan plans to launch 15 new locations by the end of 2026 in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, and Croatia.

Petrom and CE Oltenia signed the execution contracts for four photovoltaic parks

OMV Petrom, the largest integrated energy producer in South-Eastern Europe, in partnership with the Oltenia Energy Complex (CE Oltenia), announces the signing of the design and execution contracts for four photovoltaic parks.

The four projects have a total installed capacity of approximately 550 MW. The parks will be built on land belonging to CE Oltenia, in Gorj and Dolj counties.

The electricity produced will be delivered to the National Energy System and is estimated to cover the equivalent annual electricity consumption of approximately 410,000 homes in Romania1.

Two contractors have been selected to implement the projects. The total investment value for the four photovoltaic parks exceeds EUR 400 million.

Source: economica.net

Banat Business Park Reaches 50% Occupancy Milestone

Banat Business Park, an industrial development in Timiș County owned by Artemis, Bardeau Imobiliare, and Frapag, has reached 50% occupancy, according to project officials. The EUR 10 million investment continues to attract companies seeking modern facilities in a stable and growing regional economy.

“Banat Business Park offers strategic advantages for investors, with modern infrastructure and direct access to major Eastern European trade routes,” said Georg Bardeau, Executive Director of the park.

Current tenants include B Braun’s German infusion solutions facility, conveyor system specialist Habasit, metal construction company Max Struktur, and developer Borghesi.

Altex opens new store in Târgoviște

Altex Romania has expanded its national retail network with the opening of a new store in Târgoviște, Dâmbovița County, located on Aleea Mănăstirea Dealul no. 2A. The new location also supports fast delivery services for large and bulky items.

The Târgoviște Greenfield store incorporates sustainable features, including photovoltaic panels for renewable energy generation and electric vehicle charging stations.

To enhance customer experience, the store is equipped with digital displays and an electronic labeling system for quick and accurate price updates. Altex now operates more than 130 stores across Romania.

Cluj-Napoca’s first Skyscraper project rejected by local council

The urban regeneration project for the Remarul area, where the tallest block in Cluj Napoca, a 27-story building, would be built, was analyzed during the meeting of the Technical Commission for Territorial Planning and Urbanism (CTAT) of the municipality, but it did not pass the vote, so it will return to a future meeting after certain points have been resolved.

The main problem highlighted in the commission was the forcing of urban indicators. The designers tried to explain that they did not have enough space for the new buildings, so as to preserve industrial heritage halls, so they focused on vertical construction.

“Nobody has problems with the proposed height of the buildings. But you have to motivate. Why so high? Just to be visible, that is not a reason,” said the chief architect of the municipality. The PUZ proposes a 27-story block, two of 21 floors each, as well as six-, three-, and two-story buildings.

Source: Profit.ro

Altex acquires Brico Depot network

The electro-IT retailer Altex, controlled by businessman Dan Ostahie, acquires Brico Dépôt Romania, one of the leaders of the local DIY and home improvement market, from the Kingfisher Group. The transaction, signed at the end of last year, is now approved by the Competition Council.

The acquisition worth EUR 70 million includes the entire Brico Dépôt network, consisting of 31 stores in 24 cities, the distribution operations, as well as the headquarters in Bucharest.

Brico Dépôt Romania has been on the local DIY market since 2013, when Kingfisher entered the country through the acquisition of Bricostore. In 2017, the group acquired the Praktiker store network from Turkish businessman Omer Susli, for which it paid EUR 22 million.

Altex is one of the largest local retailers, with over 130 stores open in the country. Altex Romania recently decided to enter the electricity production sector by establishing Altex Green Energy.

Source: Profit.ro

FactoryLab by Raiffeisen Bank & Mezanin Market opens in Promenada

Raiffeisen Bank Romania and Mezanin Market open FactoryLab in Promenada – a space that will bring together products from over 60 Romanian entrepreneurs. For 4 months, those interested will find, on the 1st floor of Promenada Mall, a special selection of products – from Easter gifts, jewelry and illustrations, to clothes, decorative objects, ceramics and gourmet products.

“The project came as a natural extension of the factory by Raiffeisen Bank and Mezanin Market communities. After having financially supported over 560 local businesses, with amounts totaling EUR 32 million, we wanted to take our support further – offering not only financing, but also a real space for exposure and connection between entrepreneurs and the general public. FactoryLab is a testament to this commitment: a meeting place between creative brands and the general public,” says Alexandra Arsene, SME Director, Raiffeisen Bank Romania.

FactoryLab by Raiffeisen Bank & Mezanin Market opens in Promenada

Raiffeisen Bank Romania and Mezanin Market open FactoryLab in Promenada – a space that will bring together products from over 60 Romanian entrepreneurs. For 4 months, those interested will find, on the 1st floor of Promenada Mall, a special selection of products – from Easter gifts, jewelry and illustrations, to clothes, decorative objects, ceramics and gourmet products.

“The project came as a natural extension of the factory by Raiffeisen Bank and Mezanin Market communities. After having financially supported over 560 local businesses, with amounts totaling EUR 32 million, we wanted to take our support further – offering not only financing, but also a real space for exposure and connection between entrepreneurs and the general public. FactoryLab is a testament to this commitment: a meeting place between creative brands and the general public,” says Alexandra Arsene, SME Director, Raiffeisen Bank Romania.

Alesonor starts construction of the Verita International School campus in Tunari

Alesonor has started construction of the Verita International School & Kindergarten campus in the Amber Forest suburb of Tunari, in the north of the Capital.

With an investment estimated at approximately EUR 18 million, the expansion of Verita International School marks the development of the second operational campus, completing the current location in Aviatiei.

The project is to be developed in two stages, on an area of 15,000 square meters, and will host a school, kindergarten and afterschool, as well as sports facilities. The official opening of the campus and the first day of school are scheduled for September 2026, according to representatives of the two companies.

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