Positive outlook for Bucharest’s land market despite 2015 drop, says DTZ Echinox

Newsroom 11/05/2016 | 14:12

Over 15 large land transactions totaling an area of over 45 ha and a cumulated value of EUR 90 million were registered in Bucharest in 2015, according to data from real estate services firm DTZ Echinox.

Compared with 2014, which was the best post-crisis year for the land market in Bucharest, the total transactional value dropped by 55 percent last year, while the total land area transacted was lower by 16 percent, according to the same source. “This was mainly because in 2015 there were no land plots acquired for mixed developments – offices and retail. Also, the number of deals involving land plots suitable for office developments were scarce,” according to the same source.

In 2015, the most active investors acquiring land plots for commercial developments in Bucharest were Swedish Ikea and Skanska. Ikea, which entered the local market in 2007, acquired last year a land plot located in the eastern part of Bucharest where it said it will open its second store in Romania. Skanska, which officially entered the local market in 2011, closed two land acquisitions last year. The land plots purchased by the Swedish investor are located in Barbu Vacarescu – Floreasca (central northern area of Bucharest) and Politehnica area (western part of Bucharest). Both locations are among the most important office destinations in Bucharest. Austrian and Greek investors, which were among the most active in Romania throughout the last decade, performed no relevant land acquisition in 2015.

More than 50 percent of the land area transacted last year was acquired for retail developments, especially big boxes. Land plots suitable for residential and industrial / logistics developments represented approximately 20 percent each out of the total land area transacted throughout 2015.

Land plots suitable for office developments continued to be the most expensive, the average price paid being around EUR 717/ sqm. Land plots suitable for residential and retail developments (big boxes) were transacted under EUR 200/ sqm.

In terms of location, most of the lands transacted were located in the northern and western areas of Bucharest. In the northern area the land plots that have been acquired are suitable for office, retail and residential developments, while in the western area of the city, the acquired land plots are suitable for office, residential and logistics developments.

The outlook for 2016 remains positive, says DTZ Echinox. The year started with a major transaction, namely Swedish Vastint acquiring a 48 ha plot in Baneasa – Sisesti area for a mixed (mainly residential) project. In the first quarter alone the value of land transactions was two times higher y-o-y, totaling some EUR 35 million.

Given that the residential market in Romania remains underdeveloped and demand is on the rise, long-term investors are expected to continue to secure lands for residential developments, say DTZ representatives. Retail too is expected to continue fueling demand for land, mainly in neighborhoods with high residential densities, according to the same source.

“In terms of shopping centers, Bucharest currently has a dominant scheme for each geographical region. Thus, in the short term, retail developments will consist of proximity retail parks, refurbishments and reconversions or niches such as outlet centers,” said DTZ representatives. On the office segment there is already a significant pipeline for the next couple of years, the center north and center west areas remaining the most attractive office locations in the city.

Simona Bazavan

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