The local market attracted investors from over 15 countries on four continents, with buyers' attention being concentrated mainly on properties in Bucharest, with a share of 69% of the capital placed. Transactions were also made in Timisoara, Brasov, Cluj-Napoca, Sibiu, Iasi, Craiova or Pitesti, with the market share of these cities varying between 2% and 5%.
The office building segment is the preferred asset class, accounting for 39% of the volume traded, followed closely by retail, with a 34% share. The industrial sector generated transactions of about EUR 700 million, with a share of 18%, while the value of transactions with hotels was around EUR 250 million (6%).
Tim Wilkinson, Capital Markets Partner, Cushman & Wakefield Echinox: "The local real estate market has become attractive in recent years, with a solid evolution, with relevant transactions and a growing pool of increasingly diverse buyers. Together with traditional players such as NEPI Rockcastle and Globalworth, which dominated the market in the last decade, a significant number of new companies such as PPF, Dedeman, Prime Kapital, Revetas, Cerberus, Lion's Head Investments, Atterbury or One United entered while players with market seniority, such as GLL, Catinvest or CA Immo, have returned to the investment market. With strong fundamentals, based on sustained demand from occupants and an attractive yield, we believe that the local property market will continue to generate liquidity, allowing developers to capitalize on starting new projects." (source: Cushman & Wakefield Echinox)