GELD Capital Management and REPACO Capital to open 3 new retail parks in 2025

GELD Capital Management and its subsidiary REPACO Capital are inaugurating Curtea de Argeș Retail Park on April 17, 2025, while a similar project is under construction in Breaza, and in the final approval phase – a retail park in Brașov.

Curtea de Argeș Retail Park has a leasable area of 6,100 sqm. Among the tenants of this strip mall are: Annabella, Tedi, Hesburger, Pepco, Sinsay, CCC, Worldbox, Agroland and RadicStar.

In addition to the newly inaugurated strip mall, GELD Capital Management has another similar project in the execution phase, Breaza Retail Park, whose leasable area is 3,100 sq m. The main retailer with the role of “anchor” will be Lidl. The project has a 100% occupancy rate by tenants, including retailers Pepco and Sinsay.

REPACO Capital has another similar project in the final phase of obtaining construction permits: Bartolomeu Retail Park, located in Brașov, with a leasable area of 5,500 sqm.

Puii Mei opens new restaurant at Colosseum Mall

Colosseum Mall announces the opening of the new Asian restaurant Puii Mei in the shopping center. This opening comes shortly after the successful launch of the premium multiplex Happy Cinema, inaugurated earlier this year.

Puii Mei restaurant, launched in Colosseum Mall, represents an investment of over EUR 150,000 and is part of the expanding process of the restaurant network owned by the American Asian Tasty.

“The food court, alongside Happy Cinema and Hype, contributes to creating a complete experience for Colosseum Mall customers by offering leisure alternatives. Culinary diversity is essential in a successful food court, and the Asian-themed Puii Mei restaurant has been very well received, attracting an increasing number of visitors. In the coming period, we will announce new openings,” added Doinița Ilie, Leasing & Marketing Director at Colosseum Mall.

In the last three years, Colosseum Mall has attracted more than 50 local and international brands to its portfolio and expanded its retail spaces by over 16,500 square meters. In 2024, cumulative tenant turnover increased by 18% compared to 2023, while traffic in the shopping center grew by 7%.

Theta Furniture & More’s CEO, Cătălin Rotaru, has acquired a 40% stake in the company

Theta Furniture & More, one of the main players in the interior design and fit-out market, is entering a new stage of development. The company’s CEO, Cătălin Rotaru, has acquired a 40% stake in Theta, through a management buyout transaction aimed at strengthening the transformation and sustainable development of the business in the long term.

The transaction was carried out through Woodwire Partners, an investment vehicle set up by Cătălin Rotaru together with other investors. The shares were purchased from Florin Gheorghe, the founder of Theta, who thus completely exited the company, and from Gelu Florian, founding partner and technical craftsman of the company’s construction.

Following this transaction, which also involved a capital injection to consolidate the company’s activity, the new shareholding structure of Theta Furniture & More looks like this:

• Black Sea Fund I – 50%
• Woodwire Partners – 40%
• Gelu Florian – 10%

“This is a defining moment for Theta,” says Cătălin Rotaru, CEO of Theta Furniture & More. ”First of all, we are grateful to Florin for his absolutely essential contribution to the company’s evolution – thanks to him, Theta is a name with resonance in the market.”

Bucharest National Airports Company launches tender for the design of the new terminal

The Bucharest National Airports Company, which manages the Otopeni and Băneasa airports, announced the launch of the tender for the design of the new Terminal of the Henri Coandă Bucharest International Airport and the related airport infrastructure.

“The procedure for awarding the design services contract for the studies, concept, technical execution project and technical assistance during the execution of the works has been initiated, part of the “Strategic Program for the Development of Airport Infrastructure at Henri Coandă Airport – Bucharest”. The project aims to create a modern, sustainable infrastructure that complies with the highest international standards, capable of accommodating a forecast traffic of 30 million passengers annually by 2040. The main objective of this project is to create a new Passenger Terminal with all the necessary facilities, oriented towards the passenger experience – generous and comfortable spaces, intuitive flows, efficient air conditioning and ambient lighting, various spaces for public catering, shopping, and lounges”, announced CNAB representatives.

The new terminal will have a built area of 176,000 square meters. The value of the new terminal would reach approximately EUR 1.5 billion.

WDP invests EUR 52 million in the expansion of the logistics park in Dragomireşti

WDP announces two new pre-leased developments within the Bucharest-Dragomireşti logistics project, namely a warehouse of approximately 47,000 square meters with controlled temperature and an ambient warehouse of approximately 11,000 square meters.

The estimated investment budget is approximately EUR 52 million, with the completion of the projects scheduled for the end of 2026. Also, over 16,000 square meters of additional leasable area are available for future developments.

“Despite a volatile macroeconomic environment, the continued demand for new developments validates the solid fundamentals of the sector and the confidence of our customers in expanding their operations,” says Joost Uwents, CEO of WDP.

Cosmopolis opened the first Art Gallery in a residential complex in Romania

Located in Cosmopolis Plaza, the new gallery is the first of its kind in a residential development in the country. The gallery brings an innovative concept to the real estate market and the art community: a multi-functional space offering art exhibitions, a home sales office, an educational center and a venue for cultural events and community workshops.

“We wanted to offer the Cosmopolis community more than just housing. The Art Gallery is a heartfelt project that brings art closer to the people, directly where they live and build their lives,” said Ahmet Buyukhanli, founder of Opus Land Development.

“It is a new way of experiencing the home-buying process. We wanted the home sales office integrated into this art gallery to actually be an experience that offers future residents a broader vision of what a home means and how it can be enhanced with works of art. The Cosmopolis community is dynamic and creative, and the Art Gallery will be a permanent source of inspiration for anyone who walks through our doors,” added Gabriel Voicu, Cosmopolis’ Director of Sales and Marketing.

“We’re excited to bring art into the heart of a vibrant community. This is a unique opportunity for artists to exhibit their work in a residential area the size of a city, and for visitors of Cosmopolis Plaza to enjoy art while shopping or exploring options for their future home,” said Filippo Musneci, founder of Galleria 146.

Bucharest Unirii Square – Handwritten Collection debuts in Romania

Handwritten Collection announces the opening of Bucharest Unirii Square – Handwritten Collection – and thus marks the brand’s debut in South-Eastern Europe. The unit is located just 1.5 km from Unirii Square and 2 km from the Old Town, close to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania.

Bucharest Unirii Square – Handwritten Collection has 88 elegantly furnished rooms, refined restaurants and a warm atmosphere, enriched with authentic influences from Arab culture.

For the corporate segment, the hotel offers flexible meeting spaces – a 40 sqm meeting room for small groups and a 110 sqm modular conference room, ideal for events or presentations. The main hall of the restaurant, of 200 sqm, can host private receptions, launches or business events in an elegant setting.

The opening of the hotel in Bucharest is part of the international expansion strategy of the Handwritten Collection, which foresees the inauguration of 15 new properties in 2025.

SVN: Homes sales decreased by 4.3% in Bucharest and Ilfov in the first quarter

Over 13.200 homes were sold in Bucharest and its surroundings in the first three months of 2025, down by 4.3% compared to the similar period from 2024, according to an analysis published by real estate consultant SVN Romania based on statistics published by the National Agency for Cadastre and Land Registration.
Over 11,200 homes were sold in Bucharest in the first quarter of 2025, down by 5.4% compared to the similar period of 2024, while 1.960 homes were sold in Ilfov, up by 2.4% compared to Q1 2024’s level.

The different annual variations between the two areas can also be explained by the decrease in the number of new homes completed in Bucharest, simultaneously with the delivery of an increasing number of homes delivered in the localities bordering the Capital city.

“The first quarter of 2025 was a good one for the biggest regional residential market in Romania, with a sales result down 4.3% compared with the similar period from 2024, in a context in which the beginning of 2025 was marked by socioeconomic uncertainties, but also by an extended period of holidays. The decrease in supply, coupled with the demand that remained at a high level, led to an even higher pressure on trading prices. However, the sales evolution shows us that the potential buyers have already adapted to the new prices, in a context in which the affordability of purchasing a new homes remained at a good level”, commented Andrei Sarbu, CEO SVN Romania.

Almost 18,000 new dwellings could be completed in 2025 in Bucharest and its surroundings, according to SVN’s data, a level as low as that recorded in 2024, when the lowest number of homes in the last five years was delivered in the Bucharest region.

Almost 37,000 homes were sold in Romania in the first three months of this year, down by an annual rate of 4.9%. Most residential units were sold in Constanta, Cluj and Timis, according to the official statistics.

Check out the CEE Jury Committee for HOF Awards 2025

CIJ EUROPE is very proud to announce the CEE judges formula for the 10th edition of HOF Awards Gala – Best of the Best Hall of Fame which will be held on 13th of May, at Radisson Blu Hotel, in Bucharest.

HOF Awards is the climax of the CIJ Awards series 2024, pitting the winning projects and companies from around Central & Eastern Europe against each other to determine who the Best of the Best really are. This year’s event features winning entries from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia. In the event’s innovative and transparent voting system, a select group of real estate leaders from the region vote as a jury in combination with votes from selection CIJ readers from around the region. Please find below the CEE jury committee this year at HOF Awards 2025:

Slovakia:
Miroslav Tavel – Partner / CEO – OP Centrum Retail
Andrej Mardiak – Partner – Mayflower
Filip Matovič – Head of Development – ITB Development
Peter Kysela – Managing Director – Atrios
Filip Zoldak – Partner – HERRYS
Tomas Ostatnik – Real Estate Executive – Holland & Company
Tomáš Cár – Real Estate Transactions – 365.Invest
Michal Hosko – Director of Office Slovakia – Colliers

Hungary:
Olivér Treiber – Chief Investment Officer – HelloParks
Czaba Zeley – Managing Director – ConvergenCE
Ferenc Gondi – Managing Director – CTP Hungary
Valter Kalaus – Managing Partner – Newmark VLK Hungary
Gabor Czike – Partner – CMS
Gábor Borbély – Partner – DLA Piper (Law)

Romania:
Doron Klein – Deputy CEO AFI Europe & CEO AFI Europe Romania & Czech Republic
Ema Iftimie – Managing Director – Globalworth
Fulga Dinu – Country Manager – CPI Property Group Romania
Antoniu Panait – Managing Director – Vastint
Didier Balcaen – Co-Founder & Partner – Speedweel
Marian Roman – Managing Director – Paval Holding Properties
Razvan Nica – Managing Director – BuildGreen
Dana Bordei – Country Manager Commercial – VGP
Sorin Preda – Founder & CEO – Global Vision
Alina Necula – Country Manager – Lion’s Head
Robert Ionita – Group General Counsel – NEPI Rockcastle
Ioana Roman – Partner – Filip & Company
Adinel Tudor – CEO – EVO Properties
Alex Skouras – Managing Partner – Alesonor

Czech Republic:
Josef Malíř – Managing Director – Star Capital Finance
Pavel Velebil – Managing Partner – TIDE REALITY
Per Hansson – Owner – Tri-C Investments Roland Hofman – CEO & Co-founder – Urbanity Group
Eduard Forejt – Development Director – PASSERINVEST
Igor Klajmon – Chief Development Officer – Sekyra Group
Jan Lovětínský – Head of Asset Management – REICO Funds

Poland:
Piotr Staniszewski – Partner – DENTONS
Łukasz Komierowski – CEO – Redkom Development
Jakub Sarzyński – Partner – Brookfield Partners
Agnieszka Giermakowska – Research & Advisory Director, ESG Lead – NEWMARK POLSKA
Przemysław Wardęga – PR & Marketing Director – LCP Properties
Krzysztof Dziekoński – Partner – Baker Tilly TPA Poland

The HOF Awards 2025 promises to be an unforgettable evening of excellence, networking, and industry recognition, honoring the “Best of the Best” in real estate!

HOF Awards confirmed HOF Awards Partners: CPI Property Group, Revetas, Speedwell, Filip & Company, NEPI Rockcastle, NHOOD, Coral Construct, Carbon Tool, WIREN, Fortim Trusted Advisors, Safety Approach, ALUKÖNIGSTAHL, Optim Project Management, WEMAT, Bog’Art, Corporate Office Solutions, Reynaers Aluminium, DRS Architects.

For registrations, please check our website: https://hofawards.eu/

JD Sports opens its first store in Iași, in the Palas complex

JD Sports, one of the world’s leading sportswear and streetwear retailers, opened their first store in Iași, located in the Palas complex, on the th of April 2025. This marks the first in a series of regional premieres for the new area designed for sportswear stores in the mixed-use project developed by IULIUS. The company continues to develop Palas Iași, following a concept by world-acclaimed architecture firm Foster + Partners: remodeling the existing commercial premises and expanding the total leasable retail area upwards of 80,000 square meters, first-to-region brands, new dining and leisure experiences, new conference center, expanded park, and more events.

The JD Sports store spans on 560 square meters and introduces the international multibrand’s latest concept. Clients will find here sportwear and casual streetwear collections by notorious brands, as well as exclusive products that are only available in JD Sport locations. Established in the United Kingdom in 1981, the brand has become one of the world’s most relevant retailers, operating in 29 countries across Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zeeland.

“After the inauguration in Iulius Town Timișoara last year, we are very happy that we were able to find the right location to grow our collaboration with JD Sports in Palas as well. JD Sports is one of the leading groups in the sports fashion and outerwear market in Europe, the UK, North America, and Asia. We are especially glad that we were able to launch them first in the new sports area in Palas, which is dedicated to the most relevant specialty brands and where works are currently underway. This initiative is part of a more extensive process for transforming Palas based on a concept by famous architecture firm Foster + Partners. We continue to enhance the shopping experience by expanding existing stores, introducing new international brands, and enriching the leisure options, so that Palas will remain the choice destination for the 22 million people visiting our complex every year,” said Oana Diaconescu, Head of Retail Leasing at IULIUS.

The new development phase of Palas Iași entails the following: increasing the leasable retail space up to 80,000 square meters, redesigning the park with new interactive areas for children, waterfalls and a rethinking of the landscape, as well as a new events center. The remodeling of Palas is estimated around EUR 80 million, raising the investment made by IULIUS in downtown Iași upwards of EUR 520 million.

« Previous 1 … 86 87 88 89 90 … 137 Next »

Latest news

All posts by tudor@cijeurope.com.