The top of the vox pops

OUTSTANDING NON-BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENT OF THE YEAR, POLAND

The Globalworth Foundation

The Young Artists Support Fund – a bridge to the future

This joint initiative of the Globalworth Foundation and the Julian Cochran Foundation has resulted in the establishment of the ‘Bridge to the future - Young Artists Support Fund’ scholarship programme. The project is addressed to musicians and vocalists aged 18 to 26, including students and graduates of music schools and universities, and the general public. Thanks to the Support of Globalworth Foundation, the 15 winning scholarship recipients each received EUR 2,000. The aim of the Fund is to support and promote young musicians with their professional and educational development by awarding scholarships, enabling them to participate in master classes, artistic residencies and study visits, funding concerts, providing legal advice, assistance in professional networking and mentoring classes. Last December, 15 scholarships were awarded under the programme. These were given to talented young musicians and winners of international competitions, who know exactly which direction they want to develop their artistic career in.

Immofinanz / CA Immo

The Disappearing Mural – let’s heal the world and make it a better place

A unique work of art has been created on pl. Europejski in Warsaw – the ‘Disappearing Mural’ was officially unveiled at the end of June. The theme of the mural is world peace. The Disappearing Mural has been created inside the largest fountain on pl. Europejski and can be seen only when water is present – when the fountain is on or when it’s raining. The official unveiling of the artwork was accompanied by a musical event with performances by several artists on the Polish music scene. The key elements of the mural include: The Mermaid and the Triton – arranged in the form of a yin and yang symbol; the Picasso dove of peace; and the lyrics of a song by Polish rock group Pogodno (“Don’t be afraid of the rain – because I’m the rain myself” – referencing the theme of the mural, as well as the words “Let’s heal the world and make it a better place”). The mural is also intended to show that art can be used as a weapon by the artists. In the present situation facing the world, it is one way of protesting against war and its cruelty.

Gemini Park Bielsko-Biała

Science Point Minicentre of Science

The Science Point Minicentre of Science (SP) established by Gemini Park Bielsko-Biała combines science with fun, inspiring young, bright minds to acquire knowledge through workshops and interactive exhibitions, popularising science by explaining complex phenomena in a simple, accessible and experiment-based way. It is the first place of its kind on the premises of a shopping centre, created by the Gemini with the support of the University of Bielsko-Biała. Thanks to a PLN 234,000 grant from the Ministry of Science and Education (the first time that pro-social space in a Polish shopping centre has received such funding), it is joint effort between business, science and local government. SP has a mini-cinema that shows educational films. It regularly hosts workshops, experiments, lessons and other events for auditing students and organised school groups. SP’s programme includes as many as 127 activities for schools, adults and the elderly. It opened in April and will continue to operate until November this year. A total of 7,500 people visited Science Point Minicentre of Science in Gemini Park Bielsko-Biała in the first month alone.

The Globalworth Foundation

A paediatric surgery training lab for the cardiovascular clinic at the IPCZD

The foundation has invested EUR 123,000 to open a paediatric surgery training laboratory for The Children’s Memorial Health Institute (IPCZD) in Warsaw. A high-end medical simulator was purchased for training in ultrasound-related examinations and interventions, as well as a transoesophageal echocardiography module and an ultrasound system for emergency rooms, intensive care units and operating theatres. Around 1,000 paediatric cardiology professionals and students a year will be able to improve their knowledge and practical skills in paediatric cardiovascular diagnosis and will practice various interventional procedures on the simulator. Around 4,000 children (up to 1.2 pct) are born with congenital heart defects, i.e. of babies born alive. The project was carried out in cooperation with the Virtuosa Foundation.

Logicor

Race’n’Raise 2022

Together with business partners, Logicor has raised PLN 30,000 for the K.I.D.S. Foundation, a children’s charity focused on improving the hospital experience of young patients. For most of those taking part, it involved the longest bike ride of their lives – Race’n’Raise 2022, an amateur and charity cycling tour made up three stages (145 km, 85 km and 70 km) totalling 300 km through the heart of the Tuchola forest in northern Poland. The goal was simple but extremely important – to complete as much of the planned route as possible. For each kilometre cycled by a particular individual, Logicor donated PLN 5 to the K.I.D.S. Foundation to create a “hospital of the future” for children and those with health problems. The funds raised this year will be used to finance a therapeutic project for children and their parents.

Segro

Responsible Segro Framework

The Responsible Segro framework focuses on three long-term priorities where the company believes it can make the greatest impact: championing low-carbon growth, investing in local communities and environments, and nurturing talent. It’s ‘Water Springs in Schools’ campaign is aimed at installing 15 contactless water dispensers in schools in Łódź, providing pupils students with non-bottled drinking water and fostering environmental awareness. The access to the springs contributed to the increased awareness of the fact that tap water is drinkable and, to the reduction of the plastic waste production among the pupils. The Be Active with Segro project promotes physical activity among employees, clients and contractors, while simultaneously supporting selected foundations – donated funds to them for each kilometre cycled or walked. Last year, PLN 90,000 was raised for supporting people in psychological distress caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2021, Segro also took part in Operation Clean River – and cleared 1 tonne of rubbish from the Stawy Stefańskiego ponds in Łódź.

Torus

Do Nasadzenia

The ‘Do Nasadzenia’ campaign is aimed at planting trees in the Lipusz forest in Pomerania, which was devastated by hurricane-force winds back in 2017. Following work done in 2019 and 2021, the campaign culminated in April 2022 with the planting of 90,000 saplings. In total, around 3,150 people from more than 50 different companies and institutions have taken an active part in the planting of around 280,000 saplings, re-foresting an area of almost 30 ha. This will be covered by dense, lush forest in years to come. The involvement of the business environment in the restoration of this forest is of great value. Firstly, through the planting of new trees, thus ensuring the air remains uncontaminated and compensating for our carbon footprint. The campaign also provides a wonderful opportunity for many people living in cities to explore forests further, learn how they function, take a closer look at the work of foresters and to educate younger generations on how forests are cultivated.

The Stefan Kuryłowicz Foundation

The Practice fellowship and The Theory competitions

The 2021/22 Practice fellowship competition was held by the foundation at the end of March at the Gdańsk University of Technology’s department of architecture. The purpose of the workshops was to come up with a design scheme for the transformation of the shop floors and slipways of the former Gdańsk Shipyard. The first prize of PLN 10,000 was awarded to Cezary Adamowicz for the development of his proposal ‘Shipyard-System’. In the 2020/21 competition the winner was Sandra Przepiórkowska for her design ‘Plastopia’. For the 9th Theory competition in 2022, the best theoretical paper, dealing with the subject of virtual reality and its ramifications for architects’ work, was ‘Mimesis’, which was submitted by Anna Jaruga-Rozdolska. The winner received a money prize, and is at the moment working with the foundation on preparing her paper for publication. The winners of the 2020/21 contest were Marcin Kitala and Zygmunt Maniaczyk for their book, entitled ‘Extra Muros’, published by the foundation.

Savills

Savills4others

This is an initiative that recognises and responds to the needs of local communities. ‘Karma wraca’ raised money for special food for dogs at the KTOZ shelter in Kraków from a 40 km trek through the Tatra mountains in winter. Savills also purchased Czako – a guide dog for a blind person and provided a guide dog foundation with training equipment, including specially-designed glasses for simulating visual impairment. Savills also co-financed a vacation for children with cancer and related conditions. Another project was a children’s educational workshop on city birds, in which Savills provided books, charts and games for participating schools. Jarosław Pilch of Savills cycled 360 km from Warsaw to Gdańsk to raise money to buy bicycles for children in a care home in Gdańsk.

MDC2

Ukraine Relief Association

Ukraine Relief is the non-profit association established by Hadley Dean, Maciej Madejak, Paula Piątkowska and Magda Cieliczko to support Polish families with the cost of hosting Ukrainian war refugees. The association actively seeks donors from outside Poland who would like to make an impact and improve the quality of life of all involved. Since early June to date it has managed to raise almost EUR 6,000 from such donors. Initially, 18 pre-screened households hosting more than 60 Ukrainian refugees were selected, to whom EUR 100 per refugee is being directly on a monthly basis. All of the households we will continue to have verified and visited by the team. The situation in Ukraine remains uncertain and many refugees require long-term support.

Strabag

Accommodation and aid for Ukrainian refugees

Nine days after the start of the war on March 4th, Strabag in Poland immediately took measures to provide shelter, necessities and emotional support for Ukrainian refugees. Almost 200 Strabag employees were involved in opening fully prepared buildings for those fleeing the war. In cooperation with the City of Warsaw, the company prepared 3,300 sqm of space in the Atrium International building, providing additional showers and kitchens. At its peak, over 250 people were accommodated there, with the majority being mothers with children and elderly people, each receiving on-site legal and emotional support. Around 460 places have also been provided in the Plaza shopping centre in Kraków, where refugees have access to sanitary facilities, a canteen and a playroom with toys and books being collected and donated by Strabag employees. Until the end of June, Plaza acted as a temporary shelter for 2,360 refugees awaiting final accommodation in Kraków or continuing on to another location. Internationaler Bund Polska in cooperation with Strabag Group, Ikea Kraków, and Diverse also launched the Szafa Dobra project to provide the refugees in Plaza with free clothes.

The Globalworth Foundation

No to Cancer in Children

The Globalworth Foundation donated EUR 32,000 for the special edition of ‘No to Cancer in Children’ health project. Together with the Ronald McDonald Foundation, it examined 900 children during a 12-day preventative ultrasound screening programme for children. The examinations were painless, safe and free of charge. The examinations, which took place in Warsaw, Wrocław and Kraków, enable early identification of childhood malignancies and developmental abnormalities. Early detection of a cancerous lesion is essential for early diagnosis and effective treatment, thus increasing the chance of recovery. In each of these cities, radiologists inside an ambulance - a unique mobile medical station equipped with modern ultrasound equipment – examined children aged 9 months to 6 years. After the completion of the examination, the parents receive the results and medical advice when needed. In Poland, around 1,200-1,300 new cases of cancer in children are diagnosed annually.

Olivia Centre, Gdańsk

The Power of Olivia’s People

Olivia Centre provides club activities and classes for almost 12,000 people, from different districts, cities and even countries, who share common passions. The idea is to create a vibrant and creative community. These clubs can be attended not only by those who work in the Olivia Centre office complex, but also by their friends and acquaintances. Most of the classes are free, and only registration is required to participate in them. For activities that require specialist knowledge and materials, we provide the opportunity to purchase tickets at symbolic prices. Those who want to take part in club activities can do so by booking via the My Olivia app, which has been introduced to help build relationships with the employees of tenants. Last year, the following clubs operated at the Olivia Centre: a yacht club, a photo club, a choir, a volunteer club, a volleyball club, a role-playing game club, a running club, a flower-arranging club and a tourist club.

THE REAL ESTATE PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR, POLAND

Hadley Dean, MDC2

Hadley established the company in early 2021 together with a group of colleagues – commercial real estate experts working in the Polish and the CEE region for over 20 years. Currently, he oversees the business and strategy of the Polish-based sustainable warehouse developer. Before establishing MDC², he held the role of the founding CEO of EPP – the largest owner of shopping centres in Poland (EUR 2.6 bln GAV). Prior to joining EPP, he was the managing partner for Eastern Europe of Colliers International, where he built up its CEE logistics and industrial agency business. Hadley has been successfully operating in Poland for over 20 years, where he is recognised for growing businesses and consistently outperforming the market place.

Agata Jurek-Zbrojska, CMS

Agata joined the company in February 2022 as the head of the real estate and construction department, and now leads one of the largest real estate teams in Poland, comprising 40 lawyers, including five partners and four counsels. She is responsible for building a stronger real estate team in CMS’s Warsaw office and positioning the team as an attractive alternative to the existing legal advisory solutions available on the Warsaw real estate market. Agata works closely with international CEE real estate teams and more widely on the European and global levels to coordinate multijurisdictional and cross-border transactions and projects.

Jerzy Wójcik, JWA

Jerzy is a skilled entrepreneur and amateur endurance athlete. He is an expert in green construction with eleven years of experience as an architect, assessor and sustainability consultant worldwide. In 2011 he founded JWA, a Polish sustainability and real estate consulting company. The firm is one of the pioneers in the field of green building, architecture and environmental certification for real estate developers, contractors, building owners and tenants in the CEE region. He started the company with the main focus on helping real estate companies reduce their environmental impact, while building economic and social value into the design, construction, operation and transaction of commercial real estate. JWA’s goal is to make a lasting and positive impact on the environment, ultimately transforming the real estate market by genuinely reducing the environmental impact of buildings and construction activities. All the strategic decisions and company development led by Jerzy are focused on that aim.

Kinga Nowakowska, Capital Park Group

Kinga has been employed by the company since 2007, and is a member of the management board and the operational director. She is involved in the largest projects carried out by the group, including Royal Wilanów. Since 2009, she has been responsible for the implementation of the prestigious Norblin Factory revitalisation project in Warsaw. She is responsible for managing the company’s asset management department and devised its Biuro Plus concept, according to which individual solutions are implemented in each of the Capital Park’s projects to support the needs of tenants. The idea is based on high-quality architecture and sustainable development, involving greenery and ensuring the quality of the surrounding area, a wide range of services, a creative approach to asset management and the promotion of sport and physical activity, art and culture in common spaces. Kinga manages several teams, including marketing and PR, that carry out design, documentation, construction, restoration and conservation work on the group’s projects.

Roger Andersson, Vastint Poland

Roger manages the company’s operations and is responsible for expansion of its portfolio on the Polish real estate market. His strong leadership and long-term vision have ensured the steady growth of the company and its portfolio for over two decades. His track record of key projects includes Brama Portowa, Business Garden, Waterfront, Gdynia Courtyard by Marriott, Sopot Marriott Resort & Spa and Riverview. Several large mixed-use developments are in the pipeline: Nova Silesia, Airport Village and Stara Rzeźnia, as well as the Portowo residential project in Poznań. Roger has also played a significant role in the successful implementation of the unique Business Garden office park concept. Such complexes have been built in Warsaw, Poznań and Wrocław and are highly valued by tenants. He has also introduced a first-of-its-kind turnkey apartment concept to Poland. The first project with this format is Riverview in Gdańsk. All of Vastint’s future residential projects will offer apartments with this standard of finishing.

Dominik Leszczyński, DL Invest Group

Dominik is the founder and CEO of the company, which is one of the Polish investors undergoing the most dynamic growth on the commercial property market. Its diversified property portfolio comprises three segments: logistics centres, office centres and shopping centres. Carefully selected locations and well-thought-out designs in architectural, functional and execution terms, while at the same time maintaining strict quality requirements, form the foundations of the success of DL Invest Group, whose portfolio now includes more than 2 mln sqm of real estate.

Piotr Kaszyński, Newmark Polska

Piotr has over 25 years of experience of working in the real estate market. He was previously the managing partner of Cresa Poland, which he successfully established and led for more than four years. He was also employed for many years by Cushman & Wakefield, where he was an equity partner, head of the retail, and head of capital markets in Poland. He now leads a team of professionals who have demonstrated resiliency, unrivalled professionalism and management skills while working on some of the market’s most significant projects. His team assisted Primark in its entry into the Polish retail market, advised mBank and Allegro on their largest office transactions, represented TJX Europe (TK Maxx) in its acquisition of the largest distribution centre in continental Europe, and represented Accor in its acquisition of a building in Wrocław for the Mövenpick brand. During his work for C&W, Piotr has supervised the development consultancy, the leasing of over 60 prominent retail properties in Poland, and investment transactions in excess of EUR 1 bln.

Agnieszka Kalinowska-Sołtys, APA Wojciechowski

Agnieszka plays a key role in the organisational structure of the architectural studio. In addition to many duties related to its management, she is responsible for its sustainable architecture policy, manages the implementation of environmentally friendly design solutions as well as organising training sessions and consultations. In addition to this, by participating in numerous conferences, events and publications, she actively represents the company both in Poland and abroad. Since July 2022, Agnieszka has held the most prestigious and responsible position in Polish architecture as the president of the Association of Polish Architects.

Jacek Wesołowski, Trei Real Estate Poland

Jacek has been the managing director of the company since 2016. He is responsible for the strategic decisions related to investments and the construction of Trei’s real estate portfolio in Poland. Under his management, the company has been developing a chain of retail parks. It has built 30 Vendo Parks in Poland and has further projects in the pipeline. Since Jacek took up his present position, the company has increased the number of new investments each year. In 2021, Trei built eight retail parks with a total leasable area of 37,400 sqm and achieved a growth rate that it plans to continue in the future. He also manages the retail portfolio, which includes 128 properties. Under his leadership, Trei debuted on the residential market in 2019 and is now preparing to start the development of its first PRS project in Poland.

Tomasz Lubowiecki, 7R

Tomasz is the founder and the CEO of the company. He is responsible for devising the strategy for the company’s growth and overseeing the performance of all its departments. Before founding 7R in 2008, he managed Limpol, a distributor in the FMCG sector, for twelve years. At the same time, through venture capital, he was actively investing in commercial development projects together with Wawel Service. 7R’s portfolio includes large-scale logistics parks and small business unit city warehouses, which form the 7R City Flex last mile logistics network. Thus far, the company has completed projects with a total area of over 1.5 mln sqm and currently has more than 3 mln sqm in the pipeline in different locations around Poland, of which app. 600,000 sqm is under construction. The company is committed to ESG activities and acting responsibly towards the environment, local communities and corporate governance.

Hubert Abt, New Work and Workcloud24

Hubert has been working in the real estate sector for over 30 years, both as a developer and later in the land banking sector, providing equity and mezzanine capital for various real estate projects. In 2012, he founded New Work Offices
in Budapest, which provides various flexible office solutions. Since then he has developed the business model further, growing the company to where it is today with 16 locations in four countries and app. 46,500 sqm, which has brought New Work Offices into the top 3 list in the CEE region. Hubert now leads the company as CEO, while focusing on investor relations and developing new products, such as New Work’s franchise package and the digital office pass of Workcloud24, of which he is also the founder and CEO.

Bogusław Paciorek, ADC

Bogusław is a co-founder, the CEO and the president of the management board of the company. In this position he is responsible for designing and leading construction projects, project and construction management, contracts, costs and claims management. The company employs 40 designers, engineers and managers acting in Poland in Germany. The company’s annual income comes to app. PLN 10 mln. From 2007 (before launching ADC), Bogusław held such managerial positions as technical director, board member, country manager and head of department of international construction companies.

Adam Pustelnik, The City of Łódź

Adam is responsible for town planning, architectural and construction administration, economic development and international relations. As the First Deputy Mayor of the City of Łódź, he supervises matters related to urban planning and architectural-construction administration, spatial planning, cooperation with national and foreign entities, supporting economic activity and services for investors, cooperation with universities and scientific institutions, the management of the city’s assets, property management, protection of property rights to real estate, the location and regulations of city markets and surveying.

Paweł Sapek, Prologis

Paweł is the senior vice-president and regional head for Central Europe, responsible for the company’s entire portfolio in the region (Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary) – a total area of 4.6 mln sqm. In addition, he runs the Polish branch of Prologis and directly supervise operations in Hungary. He oversees the company’s investment and operating activities, including business strategy implementation, investment opportunities identification, new developments and customer acquisition. Paweł joined Prologis in 2015, and as senior vice-president and country manager for Poland he oversees the company’s investment and operating activities across the country and is responsible for its entire portfolio. He graduated in marketing and management at the University of Economics in Katowice. He also holds a postgraduate diploma in logistics management from the Warsaw School of Economics and is a chartered surveyor (FRICS).

Barbara Topolska, CPI Property Group

Barbara joined the company in 2018. She is responsible for shaping and supervising the implementation of the investment strategy in Poland and for managing the retail, office and hotel portfolio on the Polish market. Under her leadership, CPIPG has successfully carried out all new acquisitions planned under its development strategy introduced for Poland in 2019. In 2022, it acquired a 76.8 pct stake in Immofinanz, thus strengthening the Polish office’s position as a leader in the office market and significantly strengthening the company’s share in the retail market. Barbara remains country manager of the combined structures.

Sławomir Gajewski, Torus

Sławomir has held the position of the board chairman since the company was established. With the owner’s full trust behind him, he built up the company – now regarded as a strong brand on the development market – literally from scratch. He has employed his expertise, market intelligence, strategic thinking skills, managerial competences and abilities to forge long-standing relations and partnerships. He is actively engaged with shaping the developmental path of the company, devising business models, and taking strategic business decisions. He manages a team made up of specialists and experts, chief among them engineers and real estate enthusiasts. As is the case with every true leader, he can competently dive into several fields, and his advice always found valuable and accurate. Sławomir is committed to his work, while being faithful to the ideals and values. He does not shy away from challenges, but is always keen to listen to other opinions and draw conclusions from them.

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR, POLAND

Immolab

The idea of establishing the specialised Polish advisory company to support investors, real estate landlords and developers had been in the making for the last ten years. It is said that there is no good time to leave the corporate world and start a new business. However, life writes its own scripts and a series of events led to the creation of Immo lab. Due to the experience of its management team, including the successful conclusion of hundreds of transactions in the investment real estate sector, as well as its market knowledge, a company was set up that provides business and consultancy services. Its advisors and brokers can provide effective support to clients at every stage of the investment process. Its experts can organise the financing, choose a general contractor, and find the eventual buyer for the completed building.

ITRA Polska

ITRA Polska is part of US-based ITRA Global, one of the largest organisations that bring together tenant representation professionals for office, industrial and retail real estate. ITRA’s international network provides consultancy to businesses of various sizes and working models in over 300 locations worldwide. Currently, ITRA Polska operates in the largest Polish cities, namely Warsaw, Kraków, Katowice, Poznań, Gdańsk and Wrocław, where it provides comprehensive advisory solutions to office and logistics clients. Its range of services goes beyond end-to-end consultancy. Drawing on expert knowledge and years of experience, ITRA suggests to its clients the most beneficial solutions, taking into account a number of key factors that will help to achieve long-term business goals and win a competitive advantage.

MDC2

MDC2 is a Poland-based logistics and warehousing space developer established in 2021 by seasoned commercial property professionals. Its team is currently made up of 19 professionals, who have together been responsible for the development of over 3 mln sqm of warehousing over the last 15 years. The company develops sustainable modern logistics buildings in Poland – the second fastest growing logistics market in Europe. The projects launched by the company include MDC2 Park Gliwice (57,000 sqm – currently under development) and MDC2 Park Łódź South (80,000 sqm – to be completed in 2023).

Newmark Polska

Newmark Polska is a member of the Newmark Global Network. As one of Poland’s premier integrated commercial real estate services companies, the group provides conflict-free tenant representation, in addition to capital markets, market research and advisory, valuation, design and project management, and workplace strategy services. Newmark Polska is based in Warsaw, with additional offices in Wrocław, the TriCity and Kraków. The team is able to leverage Newmark’s global platform, which offers a comprehensive suite of services for each phase of the property life-cycle from its offices around the world.

Mycowork

Immofinanz, the real estate investor which is behind the Myhive office brand, has now introduced its Mycowork flexible office platform. The company was already developing this new office concept before the pandemic, but the situation in 2020–2021 only confirmed that this strategy was the right one. The crisis has accelerated existing trends in the office sector, such as digitisation, as many employees had to start working from home overnight. Things are now returning to normal, but tenants’ willingness to be more flexible has been strengthened. Immofinanz was prepared for this situation with the right offer – flexible Myhive offices, which the company officially introduced to the Polish market in April 2021.

Westbridge Poland

Westbridge Advisory, which specialises in ESG policy and the optimisation of operating costs, opened a new branch in Warsaw in April 2022. Led by Danuta Grzywacz from Rondo 1, Westbridge’s expertise is now available locally to investors and asset managers operating on the Polish real estate market. The group’s international division is currently represented in Europe by two branches outside Germany: an already existing office in Zurich and the newly established branch in Warsaw. In this way, the company is aiming to strengthen its leading position in the field of sustainable development and energy efficiency consultancy for the commercial real estate sector.