Briefs

Awards and contracts for Hines

Hines Polska has been awarded another accolade for its Metropolitan building at Pilsudski Square. The Royal Institute of British Architects gave it a RIBA Worldwide Award, noting how its contemporary architecture 'enhanced the urban realm'. This is the third award that the development has received. Capping the good news for Hines was the announcement of three new clients, each of which has signed five-year contracts. J & S Energy will take 1,230 sqm, Roland Berger Strategy Consultants 365 sqm and Exportaciones de Castilla y León 296 sqm.

Apartment manager found for Diana Passage

MaMaison Residence, a unit of Orco's Hotel Development Group and one-third owned by the EBRD, has signed a contract to manage 46 'extended-stay' apartments within the Diana Passage development on Chmielna Street in Warsaw. The building, which is under construction, will be named Residence Diana and should be officially opened by 1st January 2005. Colliers International secured the apartment operator on behalf of the investor in the Diana Passage project, Diana Development.

Philips breaks ground in Łódź

Philips, the Dutch electronics manufacturer, came a step closer to opening its European 'back-office' services centre in Łódź with the performing of the ground breaking ceremony. As a result of the investment 500 workers will provide services for 100 Philips factories accross Europe, on a site situated on Al. Piłsudskiego. The office development will consist of twin buildings which will be linked by a glass and aluminium bridge. As well as 8,000 sqm of office space there will be a canteen and rest areas. Alongside will be a car park providing 250 spaces. The development is set to open during the second half of 2005. This is the second Philips administration centre in Łódź. An accounts office has been open since August 2003, employing 220 people.

GTC unveils mystery tenant

The developer Globe Trade Centre (GTC) has announced a seven year lease agreement with a 'large, renowned tenant' for 4,000 sqm of office space in what will be the second building of its Topaz complex. The first property, on ul. Domaniewska 39 in Warsaw, has already been let in its entirety to the Allianz Group. Unofficial sources informed us that the latest tenant is the pharmaceutical company Roche.

More tenants for Centrum Jasna

Centrum Jasna's management announced during the building's opening ceremony that it was finalising direct negociations with Nafta Polska to rent 1,170 sqm of space, i.e. a whole floor of the five storey office development. A two-floor 'gourmet' restaurant, operated by the HM Group, will also soon be locating in the building. Tomasz Goetz, the project manager for Centrum Jasna said that discussions are also underway with another potential tenant for a whole floor, as well as other firms looking to take approximately 300 sqm.

Another Volvo in Ursynów Business Park

The manufacturer of construction equipment, Volvo Maszyny Budowlane Polska, has chosen to lease 231 sqm of office space in Ursynów Business Park in Warsaw. The company which was previously named Maszyny Budowlane Polska chose the site because of its position on the south of the city, as well as being where its main partner, Volvo Polska, had located. Ursynów Business Park is an office building of 9,000 sqm on Aleja Puławska, and is owned by Ceraco UBP - a subsidiary of the Danish group Carl Ejler Rasmussen & Co. Jones Lang LaSalle acted as agents for the deal.

Capgemini in Quattro Forum

Capgemini, one of the worlds biggest technology consultancies, has opened its third office in Poland and leased 1,000 sqm. in Wrocław's Quattro Forum office building. 90 of their employees will have moved in by the end of 2004, and another 50 by the end of 2005. Colliers International represented the tenant in negotiations with the Polish developer Archicom.