If one sifts through 2017 market analyses, the most likely conclusion is that 2017 was a great year for investment.

The second half proved particularly strong, with CBRE talking about the second-highest investment volume since 2008. The total investment volume reached EUR 930m. in 2017, representing a 24% increase over 2015 and a 23% increase compared to 2016.

Bucharest’s office sector performed beyond expectations, ‘proved by the vigorous take-up standing’ at 70% of 2016 levels after only 9 months into 2017, according to Knight Frank Romania. Furthermore, the average transaction increased by 19%, from 1.600 sqm in 2016, to 1.900 sqm in 2017.

Globalworth has again expanded its office market holdings, topping the charts with a EUR 1,815.4m portfolio. It has been a transformational year for the company, with the acquisition of 71.7% of the Warsaw-listed GPRE and the EUR 550m. Eurobond issue on Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB), a first for Globalworth and the largest such issue for BVB.

The company has also completed a EUR 340m new equity capital raise, completed the acquisition of Building C of the award-winning Green Court complex in Bucharest and delivered 51k sqm of new high-quality office and light industrial space in Bucharest and Timișoara, increasing the number of standing properties in Romania to 19.

Through its portfolio in Romania and Poland, Globalworth seeks to become the CEE’s leading office investor and the landlord of choice to the growing variety of multinational tenants in the region. And with a positive trend for demand, according to Knight Frank Romania, Globalworth is well-positioned to further consolidate its leading platform in 2018.