Meet the winners!

Office Building of the Year, Poland, Tenants’ Award

Forest Tower

Cezary Błaszczyk, commercial director, HB Reavis Investments Poland

What are your project’s main features that its tenants have recognised?

The building forms part of our Forest office campus, an award-winning development that has already been honoured with prizes for its architecture, sustainability, inclusivity and beautiful gardens. Now, the Eurobuild Award from its tenants provides yet further proof that we have created a friendly place that its occupiers appreciate. This biophilic paradise has 200 trees, an open courtyard and a rooftop garden. And it is fully leased. Our tenants value Forest’s excellent working conditions, designed in line with the latest ESG trends.

What has been the biggest challenge for your company over the last year?

In the last year, HB Reavis Group has undergone a strategic transition into a strong asset management role. Our reorganisation involved the transfer of the majority of our income-producing assets into HB Reavis Investments along with executive leadership changes. The total value of these properties, including the projects in Warsaw – Varso Place and Forest – comes to app. EUR 2.5 bln.

What are your investment plans for the year ahead of us?

We are now the top-class asset manager of some of the largest office buildings completed in Poland. The company’s goal is to maintain the completed projects in our portfolio and build on their long-term value through active management. We also remain committed to delivering the best possible office experience while incorporating a sustainable approach through our ESG strategy. Our plans include reaching net zero carbon targets and supporting our tenants in undertaking their own decarbonisation journeys.

Warehouse Development of the Year, Poland, Tenants’ Award

Panattoni Park Legnica

Magda Kilijańska, asset and investment management director, Blue Assets

What are the main features of your project that its tenants have clearly recognised?

Panattoni Park Legnica is primarily a project appreciated by tenants for the enormous amount of work done every day by the property manager. Blue Assets, with experience in managing over 8.5 mln sqm in key locations in Poland and of cooperating with representatives of dozens of industries, aims to constantly improve the cooperation with tenants of the facilities. Panattoni Park Legnica is one example of this, proving that this is not an insignificant factor and that an engaged property manager is of immense value. The park perfectly combines approaches geared at sustainable development and the well-being of the buildings’ users. Our industrial projects have come a very long way in this regard.

What has been the biggest challenge for your company over the last year?

Although Blue Assets is a relatively new brand on this market, we have shown that our versatility and comprehensive services in property management, asset and project management are both expected by and very well received by clients – and our portfolio is growing rapidly. This year also saw our successful debut on the office market, when in March we became the new manager of the most modern office complex in Bydgoszcz – Arkada Business Park.

What are your investment plans for the year ahead of us?

In the coming year, we will continue to support the developing industrial market, providing the highest quality management services. We also want to expand our portfolio – after all, 10 mln sqm is almost within reach – and to further develop a team that is approaching 100 members. Of course, we are planning to take more steps into the office market and achieve the further diversification of what we offer.

Office Agency Team of the Year, Poland

CBRE

Mikołaj Sznajder, head of office agency, CBRE

What are your team’s greatest strengths that the jury has clearly recognised?

We are the most active agency in the market, which at the same time has a stable, highly experienced team that is constantly developing. We hope that this, along with the wide range of services that we always tailor to the needs of each client, is likely to have determined the decision of the Eurobuild Awards jury.

What has been the biggest challenge for your team over the last year?

Over the past year, our primary challenge has been the slowdown in new office construction due to the macroeconomic situation. Despite this, the high demand for well-situated, modern office space near public transport has limited the occupiers’ options when it comes to prime buildings. We are now advising our clients to initiate the real estate process early due to the limited number of projects being developed.

What are your team’s plans for the year ahead of us?

In the coming year, we will be expanding our tailored approach to clients so as to respond even better to their expectations. We will further integrate our various business lines, combining consulting and services in different areas, not only office leasing, but also ESG advisory, building consultancy, project management, workplace consultancy and change management, as well as technology, data centres, human resources. We look at the office market very broadly because we know that this is the only way we can successfully respond to the diverse needs of our clients.

Retail Agency Team of the Year, Poland

CBRE

Mariusz Majkowski, director, head of landlord representation, CBRE

What are your team’s greatest strengths that the Eurobuild Awards jury has clearly recognised?

The greatest value our team has is its diversity. The people on our team have diverse experience working in different areas of the market, including for funds, developers and tenants. They know exactly what it’s like to work for each of these types of market player, so they understand the needs of all our clients.

What has been the biggest challenge for your team over the last year?

The last three years have been a time of ongoing challenges related to the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, high inflation, increasingly high energy prices, and other factors. The retail market is in a state of transformation. Among other things, we have been having to adjust to the development of e-commerce and omnichannel sales at a rapid pace.

What are your team’s plans for the year ahead of us?

In the near term, we intend to increase our activity in the high street sector, while maintaining a strong focus in the areas of shopping centres and retail parks. The high street is a sector with potential and has a great future ahead of it.

Warehouse Agency Team of the Year, Poland

JLL

Tomasz Mika, head of industrial agency, JLL

What are your team’s greatest strengths that the Eurobuild Awards jury has clearly recognised?

Our team’s greatest strengths, as clearly recognised by the Eurobuild Awards jury, include a market position that has been developed over many years, a strong reputation, the quality and comprehensiveness of the services provided, and a notable number of completed transactions and projects in which we have been or are currently involved.

What has been the biggest challenge for your team over the last year?

The biggest challenge has been navigating an uncertain market situation that involved a decrease in the demand for warehouse space. This has resulted in extended decision-making processes and, in some cases, the suspension or cancellation of projects.

What are your team’s plans for the year ahead of us?

Looking ahead to the coming year, our team plans to maintain its established commitment to contributing to the development of the warehouse market in Poland. We will also focus on continuously improving our competences and the services we provide.

Investment Agency Team of the Year, Poland

CBRE

Sean Doyle, CEE head of capital markets, CBRE

What are your team’s greatest strengths that the Eurobuild Awards jury has clearly recognised?

The core of this team of world-class advisors has been working together for ten and in some cases 15 years now. They have an unparalleled level of expertise across all asset classes and a deep understanding of each individual market, which is truly valued by our clients. Having honed our skills coming out of the last crisis, we have an unrivalled ability to advise on complex transactions and financial structures.

What has been the biggest challenge for your team over the last year?

In general, across sectors it has been the lack of liquidity and the cost of debt. Sitting on a large number of sales mandates in the office/logistics and residential markets, which have incredible fundamentals, is doubly frustrating – as under normal circumstances, the products we are selling backed up by such conditions should be breaking yield records. However, we do not see the occupational markets getting weaker any time soon – if anything they will be stronger, and when interest rates come back in we expect the buying opportunity in Poland to be immense.

What are your team’s plans for the year ahead of us?

More of the same (although more investment deals than last year), given our stellar track record in previous years. In these challenging times, we have streamlined and there is a renewed focus on the sectors where our clients are the most active, while not neglecting the sectors that are struggling. We have been particularly active in debt, land and special situations. A number of former colleagues now sit among our most important clients, so these relationships have only strengthened. So, our growing investor base will be key to understanding the wider criteria and expectations of capital to ensure world-class advisory for our clients.

Law Firm of the Year, Poland

Greenberg Traurig

Jolanta Nowakowska-Zimoch, managing, partner, Greenberg Traurig

What are your company’s greatest strengths that the jury has recognised?

Our company’s greatest strengths lie in our dedicated, highly skilled and diverse team of legal experts. We prioritise the building and nurturing of a strong team culture that is driven by our commitment and passion for delivering excellence in the legal services sector. Our continuous investment in attracting and retaining the best professionals in the market has enabled us to provide exceptional services to our clients, all of which has been acknowledged by the Eurobuild Awards.

What has been the biggest challenge for your team over the last year?

The biggest challenge our team has faced this last year has been navigating the rapidly changing business environment. Our most valuable asset is the trust of our clients, which allows us to advise them and to be their business partner. We have had to adapt quickly to the new market conditions while ensuring that we continue to deliver top-notch legal services to our clients. One strategic move that has helped us to achieve this goal was the addition of new partners to our energy, infrastructure and M&A teams.

What are your team’s plans for the year ahead of us?

As for the year ahead, our plans include expanding our reach and expertise while maintaining our commitment to providing exceptional legal services to our clients. We will continue to invest in the professional development of our team members, attracting and retaining the best legal talents in the market. Additionally, we are focused on integrating technological advancements into our workflow, with the aim of improving the efficiency and efficacy of our services. Ultimately, our goal is to solidify our position as the leading law firm in the CEE region.

Tax & Financial Consultancy of the Year, Poland

Crido

Paweł Toński, real estate managing partner, Crido

What are your company’s greatest strengths that the Eurobuild Awards jury has clearly recognised?

I cannot speak for the jury, but in my view, Crido’s strength comes from our combination of expertise, solution-finding and focus on long-term relationships. I hope that we have still got this magic and human touch when it comes to the advice we provide.

What has been the biggest challenge for your team over the last year?

There was a noticeable slowdown in transactions, but due to having a number of clients with large portfolios, we managed to get through this quite smoothly.

What are your team’s plans for the year ahead of us?

To enjoy ourselves and our relationships, to grow further, to maintain our quality and human-to-human connections – despite still being the market leader (or close to this).

Technical Consultancy of the Year, Poland

Gleeds Polska

Jacek Kostrzewski, managing director, Gleeds Polska

What are your company’s greatest strengths that the Eurobuild Awards jury has clearly recognised?

At Gleeds, we put our clients first. This approach is for sure something that must have been acknowledged. We value our clients’ trust because it keeps us in the market and provides us with new projects. It is our core strength. Our policy is simple: to deliver. With clear, comprehensive project leadership that supports clients’ objectives of not overspending or over-specifying to achieve the outcome those clients expect. This trust is earned every working day by our team, each member of which exhibits both engagement and professionalism. Our people are our core resource and value, which motivates us to create and maintain a friendly workplace.

What has been the biggest challenge for your team over the last year?

The entire sector has been impacted by the times that we’re living in. Shortly after we had become used to the changes and issues brought on by the pandemic, we had to face a series of new geopolitical factors that affected all industries and supply chains, including construction, real estate and, of course, technical consultancy. Adapting to the evolution of the sector amid such global challenges, including economic uncertainty and the geopolitical and market conditions, proved to be external obstacles. The high levels of inflation increased the pressure on wages, but we still managed to maintain the cost-effectiveness of our services.

What are your team’s plans for the year ahead of us?

We are not resting on our laurels. This award is not only a recognition of our past achievements and the quality we deliver, but above all provides us with the motivation to continue our development. Moving forward, we will be focusing on strengthening our team and improving the culture of our organisation. We aim to grow through continuous innovation to drive the expansion of our project and service portfolios. We will continue to cherish our existing cooperation with clients and establish new ones. Above all, we intend to develop sustainably, in line with the ESG values that we champion.

Property Management Company of the Year, Poland

CBRE

Piotr Karpiński, Poland head of property management, CBRE

What are your team’s greatest strengths that the jury has recognised?

CBRE’s property management team, in terms of its experience, is one of the most stable, strongest and skilled property management platforms in our country. I have no qualms about stressing that we have the most comprehensive talent mix that responds efficiently to clients’ needs and expectations. This is the feedback we often receive and we are proud of this. The team’s motivation and dedication are at a high level.

What has been the biggest challenge for your team over the last year?

We have found ourselves in the rather fortunate position of enjoying the constant growth of our business over almost the last ten years. The challenges we have faced over this time have been changing, and recently we have switched our main focus onto digital and technology transition and automation. The increased labour costs, inflation and market turbulence have not been making our lives any easier; however, these are just the circumstances that we have to deal with. Changing our processes and the implementation of new tools in order to convert our business and service into a more digitalised and automated one also requires us to change our way of thinking about property management.

What are your team’s plans for the year ahead of us?

First of all, we are going to continue what we do best: taking care of clients’ assets in a way nobody else could. Secondly, CBRE is implementing a number of new tools worldwide, such as the Deepki platform that we are partnering with, Host, as well as other tools and applications, all of which are keeping us quite busy these days. I hope that soon we will be able to provide a more precise update about these solutions for our clients, which should have a positive impact on the way our property management services are provided and their assets are maintained, fingers crossed!

Real Estate Construction Company of the Year, Poland

Kajima Poland

Sandra Wróblewska, senior manager, business development, Kajima Poland

What are your company’s greatest strengths that the jury has recognised?

It is in our Japanese DNA to strive to build long-term and stable relationships with all our business partners based on respect and the recognition of mutual interests. We base our actions and decisions on the utmost respect and care for our clients and other business associates. From the initial planning and design phase, through to the construction phase and warranty service, we give each project our undivided attention and strive for the highest quality throughout. Our finished buildings have to function like clockwork, and their warranty service has to match that speed and efficiency.

Maciej Runkiewicz, president, Kajima Poland

What has been the biggest challenge for your team over the last year?

The biggest challenge was maintaining our leading and healthy position in the general contracting market at a time of huge geopolitical turmoil, mainly related to the war in Ukraine. As a result of this, investors have become more risk-averse when it comes to investing in industrial and logistics properties.

What are your team’s plans for the year ahead of us?

We will be completing the construction of logistics and industrial facilities started in Q4 2023. We will continue to seek new projects to which we can apply our award-winning formula of Japanese excellence and Polish drive as well as our commitment to client service to continue to deliver projects on time, on budget, and with no compromises on quality.

Office Building of the Year, CEE

Varso Tower

Karol Wyka, country leasing Director, HB Reavis Poland

What are your project’s main features that the jury has clearly recognised?

Varso Tower is a top destination for renowned companies seeking premium office space designed with care for the people working in it, including their comfort and safety. The skyscraper, which was designed by Foster + Partners, is currently the tallest building in the EU. It has been built with well-being and ESG criteria in mind, while its large-span floorplates provide flexible workspace layouts with unparalleled views of Warsaw.

What has been the biggest challenge for your company over the last year?

The commercial real estate sector has had to endure the immediate impact of interest rate surges aimed at curbing high inflation and stabilising economies. Higher borrowing costs made it more expensive to secure debt financing for property acquisitions and development, leading to a significant slowdown in the volume of commercial real estate transactions, putting pressure on yield expansion and thus property prices. However, our company successfully secured EUR 475 mln for our Varso Place development and EUR 205 mln for the Forest office campus.

What are your investment plans for the year ahead of us?

Our aim is to decrease our debt leverage, while streamlining our business activities and adjusting the organisation to present business needs in this challenging environment. Last year we established HB Reavis Investments – our top-class asset management arm, which has a strong focus on clients, services, buildings and people. In the months to come, we plan to finalise contracts with potential new tenants of Varso Tower in order to reach full occupancy. We are also carrying out development activity related to the fit-out work on recently completed projects and their leased space, some of which form part of this separate investment portfolio.

Retail Development of the Year, CEE

Galeria Andrychów Power Center

Tomasz Szewczyk, managing partner, Acteeum Group

What are the main features of your project that the Eurobuild Awards jury has clearly recognised?

Thanks to our perfect cooperation with Equilis and our mutually complementary competencies, Galeria Andrychów from the outset has been a model example of a truly winning project. Its location, size, architectural concept and full commercialisation long before its opening have turned it into an iconic success story. And, last but not least, the carefully and comprehensively created tenant mix of Galeria Andrychów has absolutely made it the most attractive shopping spot in Andrychów and its entire surrounding area.

What has been the biggest challenge for your company over the last year?

As with most longer-term investment projects, shopping centre developments are highly capital-intensive undertakings. Having said that, the recent macroeconomic situation resulting in increased interest rates and higher financing costs has been a major challenge for the entire development sector.

What are your investment plans for the year ahead of us?

We are strongly focused on expanding in the retail park market, which we believe will be our key focus for the years ahead of us. Having said that, we are very involved in developing our retail parks pipeline, all of them of the Power Center format. In Q1 2024, we will be completing our large-scale project in Koszalin and, in parallel to that, we will be carrying on with several other projects. Of these, the construction work on shopping centres in Gorzów Wielkopolski and Ostróda is already progressing and their openings are planned for H2 2024. Further projects, including one in Siemianowice Śląskie, will follow closely behind them.

Warehouse of the Year, CEE

Panattoni BTS Factory for Reynaers Aluminium

Marek Dobrzycki, managing director, Panattoni

What are the main features of your project that the Eurobuild Awards jury has clearly recognised?

The Reynaers Aluminium plant combines many non-obvious aspects: an excellent and original design reminiscent of modernism, and impressively designed office space. Moreover, it has a very high standard of sustainability with BREEAM certification, a strategic location in the Warsaw region, and, more importantly, space perfectly adapted for the processes of Reynaers Aluminium, a global supplier of aluminium profiles. All of this, combined with its significant area – 31,000 sqm – provides confirmation of the versatility of Panattoni’s BTS projects, which includes the practical, operational, visual, sustainability and locational aspects.

What has been the biggest challenge for your company over the last year?

The last year was marked by the reindustrialisation of Europe and the intensifying trends for nearshoring and reshoring. As a result, more manufacturing plants are being established on the Old Continent, and Poland, as a centrally-located country providing excellent business conditions, has been attracting more international production, as confirmed by reports stating that a third of the space in the country is currently allocated for production. As a leader in the industrial space market in Europe, we have had to respond to the increasing demand, and the Reynaers facility we have delivered is just one example of this.

What are your investment plans for the year ahead of us?

We plan to develop our portfolio of tailor-made manufacturing facilities. Recently, we started construction for Air Spiralo – a leading manufacturer of ventilation systems in Europe – in Szamotuły, and we have begun the development of the main European facility for Maxcess in Łubowo. In 2024, we also plan to commission, among others, a factory for the Fortaco Group – a leading European strategic partner for global clients in the heavy off-road equipment and marine industries. The project is to be built in Knurów and will cover almost 35,000 sqm.

PRS Investor of the Year, CEE

Resi4Rent

Sławomir Imianowski, CEO, Resi4Rent

What are your company’s greatest strengths that the jury has recognised?

Becoming a leader in the PRS sector was the ambitious goal we set ourselves five years ago upon launching our innovative subscription apartments concept. Ever since then we have been growing dynamically and have helped more than 8,000 families in 92 countries settle in, while pursuing our mission to raise the standards of the Polish rental market. Today, the Resi4Rent platform offers more than 4,000 apartments in six major Polish cities. Our greatest strength is the Resi4Rent team, which has brought its dedication and professionalism to make each unit a home.

What has been the biggest challenge for your team over the last year?

This last year has abounded with challenges. Rising costs, economic instability and the volatile market all required us to be flexible without making concessions to the quality of our services. We have made decisions not only by taking into consideration our financial perspective, but also out of concern for the well-being of our customers, while introducing multidimensional methods of managing costs and operational efficiency to continue to deliver top-quality services.

What are your team’s plans for the year ahead of us?

We aim to have increased our offer to at least 10,000 subscription apartments by 2025. Therefore, we expect that the next year as well as the years ahead are going to be equally busy for us. In 2024 alone, we plan to complete five investments, including three in Wrocław and one each in Poznań and Łódź. This means that next year we will deliver almost 1,700 new units to the market, while the total number of subscription apartments in our portfolio will exceed 5,800.

ESG Real Estate Leader of the Year, CEE

Skanska

Paweł Warda, executive vice-president of Poland operations, Skanska

What are your company’s greatest strengths that the jury has recognised?

Our office projects have set new standards for sustainable development, which has been recognised by the Eurobuild Awards jury. We introduce technology that reduces the carbon footprint, we care about the energy-efficiency of buildings, and we create healthy work environments. Our approach to ESG is not limited to just the environmental aspects but also includes social initiatives and ethical business practices, allowing us to create value for our clients and local communities. This is the strategy our company introduced years ago, and judging by the interest in our projects among tenants and investors, it was clearly a good decision. ESG aspects have already become a significant factor in the selection of properties by tenants and investors.

Mariusz Krzak, executive vice-president, Poland and Czech Operations, Skanska

What has been the biggest challenge for your team over the last year?

The biggest challenges for our team over the last year have been related to the state of the market. We have had to balance maintaining our commitment to quality and sustainability in our projects with the macroeconomic and geopolitical risks that have led to cost escalations. This required careful management of project budgets, ensuring that we did not compromise on energy-efficient solutions, while simultaneously achieving effective reductions in carbon emissions. The pandemic also accelerated the transition to hybrid work models, shifting the demand for office space. Adapting our office projects to cater to this new demand, while dealing with the external constraints, has been our main focus. The progress we have made with the commercialisation of our completed projects and the fact that we have been able to start a new one in Warsaw proves that we’ve been successful in dealing with the challenges.

What are your team’s plans for the year ahead of us?

We will focus on raising the bar for office development to bring us closer to net zero. Our goal is not just to build workspaces but to create places that exemplify innovation and sustainability in every aspect – from energy efficiency, through employee well-being, to supporting the needs of local communities.

Financing Provider of the Year, CEE

Santander Bank Polska

Brendan Long, head of property, Santander

What are your company’s greatest strengths that the Eurobuild Awards jury has clearly recognised?

A combination of factors. We are very proud to have a team of very talented and experienced property finance professionals. We have the largest team on the Polish market with many team members having over 20 years of experience of financing property deals. Our business partners are successful, market-leading professionals with excellent sector expertise. We are delighted to be a trusted part of their success. We have a clear long-term strategy built on creating mutual trust and long-term business relationships. All of the above allow us to have a creative, flexible and commercial approach to the market that is appreciated by our business partners.

What has been the biggest challenge for your team over the last year?

Our primary focus has been on supporting all of our business partners in a period of change and uncertainty.

What are your team’s plans for the year ahead of us?

Continuing to support all of our business partners.

Office Developer of the Year, CEE

Echo Investment

Maciej Drozd, CFO, Echo Investment

What are your company’s greatest strengths that the Eurobuild Awards jury has clearly recognised?

Despite the low supply of new projects due to the cautious approach of tenants and the ongoing evolution of the work model, our offices are consistently appreciated by our clients, and we are increasing our presence in this sector through carefully selected projects in prime locations. In 2022, we delivered office buildings with a total area of 104,000 sqm. In 2023, projects totalling 122,000 sqm of office space have been launched or will be launched soon. We also maintain excellent cooperation with investors in the CEE region, who have been demonstrating an unwavering interest in our buildings.

What has been the biggest challenge for your team over the last year?

We have a great team, lasting relationships with other market participants, as well as excellent sustainable products. Challenges do not scare us, and customer trust pays off. Last year, we leased out almost 45,000 sqm, and our fit-out team handed over workspace totalling more than 65,000 sqm for such clients as PepsiCo, 3M, PwC and Fujitsu. We are also proud of our leading role in regional cities, including relatively challenging markets such as Łódź and Katowice.

What are your team’s plans for the year ahead of us?

We have started the construction of the first office building in the mixed-use Towarowa 22 project in Warsaw, as well as the development of Swobodna Spot in central Wrocław. We are in the process of commercialising these ambitious projects and we are convinced that they will become positive points of reference in the changing market reality.

Retail Developer of the Year, CEE

Trei Real Estate Poland

Jacek Wesołowski, managing director, Trei Real Estate Poland

What are your company’s greatest strengths that the Eurobuild Awards jury has clearly recognised?

Above all, I think it is the speed at which we have been building our Vendo Parks and the pace of the development of our portfolio. So far, 37 such centres have been built in Poland. This year alone we have opened five Vendo Parks for tenants and customers, and in the coming weeks we will open a sixth – in Konin. This confirms that we are becoming the leading developer of retail parks on the Polish market, and the awards we receive, including the highly prestigious title of Retail Developer of the Year bestowed by Eurobuild, reflect our leading position on the market, but also encourage us to develop further.

What has been the biggest challenge for your team over the last year?

On a macroeconomic scale, the big challenge facing most companies is, of course, the war in Ukraine, which has changed the landscape of both the Polish and global economies. Also, the high levels of inflation have posed some barriers to business growth. When it comes to Trei Real Estate Poland, we are trying to build another foundation for our business, namely, PRS projects. We have recently signed a contract with a general contractor for a large project of this type in Poznań, which will be built under the UP2U banner. I hope, therefore, that we will soon be entered for the Eurobuild Awards categories for this area.

What are your team’s plans for the year ahead of us?

Next year, we will seek to further develop our Vendo Park portfolio by maintaining a high rate of delivery. We are also building a collaborative platform to deliver PRS projects. Of course, at the same time we are active in the traditional ‘for sale’ residential market. I have no doubt that the next year will be a very intense one for us, with a lot of work ahead of us. We are happy about this, because it’s proof that we are continuing to grow.

Warehouse Developer of the Year, CEE

Panattoni

Robert Dobrzycki, CEO, co-owner, Panattoni Europe and India

What are your company’s greatest strengths that the Eurobuild Awards jury has clearly recognised?

In recent months, we have strengthened our position as a leader in the CEE region. In Poland alone, we now manage 8.2 mln sqm of warehouse space. This year, we delivered over 1.6 mln sqm, and another million remains under construction. We have created space for global manufacturers like Reynaers and Knorr-Bremse. We have also completed a record development in the Warsaw area and started the largest city logistics project in the country – over 44,000 sqm in Poznań. We have delivered more than 80,000 sqm for clothing giant H&M, and over 60,000 sqm for the Action store chain. Logistics company Regesta, within this year, opted for three of our locations and leased a total of over 90,000 sqm.

What has been the biggest challenge for your team over the last year?

Our main goal has been to remain effective as a business and build lasting relationships with clients, regardless of the current challenges the entire sector has been facing, such as inflation, rising interest rates, and the lengthening of the construction process. Our experience from hundreds of projects and the resulting trust of business partners has become particularly important in the last dozen or so months.

What are your team’s plans for the year ahead of us?

Our goals remain unchanged – we will respond to market needs with an appropriate supply of modern industrial space. The phenomenon of nearshoring and reshoring is continuing to grow, so we will be developing more and more manufacturing plants. After a brief slowdown, the e-commerce market is starting to grow again, and Poland – especially the western side of the country – is increasingly playing the role of a hub for international giants from this sector. With the growth in GDP and consumption, logistics, which have been the most important group of tenants in industrial real estate for years, will need more space.

Investment Deal of the Year, CEE

Nrep’s acquisition of a majority stake in 7R

Tomasz Lubowiecki, founder and chairman, 7R

What are the most important features of this deal that the Eurobuild Awards jury has clearly recognised?

I think this is one of the largest real estate M&A transactions in the logistics sector in Europe this year, and as a share capital increase it has also been one of the more complex transactions that have taken place in Poland and probably in Europe this year. I think the jury may have appreciated just how complex this transaction was.

What has been the biggest challenge for your team over the last year?

Definitely, closing the deal with our partner, but at the same time running our business as usual. The partnership with Nrep is a very strategic step for us. It means that we have gained a strong and reliable partner who shares our vision and values, who can support us with their expertise and capital, and who happens to be an industry leader in sustainability.

What are your team’s plans for the year ahead of us?

Our next goal is to become a fully integrated real estate company, not only as a developer but also as the owner and manager of our assets. We want to build and retain our own portfolio of properties, which will generate stable and long-term income. We also want to continue to develop our projects in line with the highest sustainability and social responsibility standards. We will also continue our journey of decarbonising our organisation and our projects. We hope to surprise the market in a hugely positive way in this area next year.

Investor of the Year, CEE

Nrep

Søren Rodian Olsen, managing director of Logicenters Poland at Nrep

What are the most important features of this deal that the jury has recognised?

I believe that the proficient execution of intricate, large-volume investment transactions has played a pivotal role in this. Our company has distinguished itself not only through advanced industry know-how but also through its adept management of investment projects. This is possible thanks to our multi-disciplined, international investment team and local presence on the market. The award we have received serves as a validation for the successful attainment of ambitious objectives, further enhancing Nrep’s position as a reliable capital partner on the Polish real estate market. Equally noteworthy are our concerted endeavours to decarbonise and elevate sustainability standards, which have certainly contributed significantly to our overall impact.

Maciej Piotrowicz, head of Poland, Nrep

What has been the biggest challenge for your team over the last year?

Over the past year, the real estate sector has faced various challenges, including managing the impact of inflation on operating costs, navigating rent changes, and addressing uncertain debt and exit terms. This situation required flexibility from us and adjusting investment strategies to changing market conditions.

What are your team’s plans for the year ahead?

Our strategic focus is on developing our pipeline of logistics projects in collaboration with 7R. A parallel priority is the continued development of our residential projects – specifically, the Lett PRS and the Noli co-living platforms, as well as a potential expansion to other residential products. We are also open to growing our presence in Poland through joint initiatives and partnerships, working with established local partners who we can support with capital and sustainability expertise. In all these efforts we remain dedicated to pursuing ambitious ESG objectives, a commitment that holds a prominent place within our company.

Newcomer of the Year

ITRA Polska

Artur Sutor, CEO, ITRA Polska

What are your company’s greatest strengths that the Eurobuild Awards jury has clearly recognised?

ITRA Polska is a highly efficient team of experienced experts who deliver the most beneficial solutions that help clients to achieve long-term business goals and gain a competitive advantage. This is evidenced by the ever-growing interest of clients and the as many as 50 completed office transactions we have accomplished in a fairly short period of time. In addition to advising new and returning clients in search of better office or warehouse space, we have introduced the pioneering RentCheck service.

What has been the biggest challenge for your team over the last year?

ITRA Poland was launched in 2022. Such a decision to establish a company in times of uncertainty required courage and experience in calculating risks. Since then, we have successfully built a foundation for further growth on a highly competitive real estate advisory market. Over the course of this period, we have established an extensive client base, including international brands, with a distinct emphasis on delivering superior advice and service quality.

What are your team’s plans for the year ahead of us?

Apart from strengthening our position on the Warsaw office market, we will continue to grow in such regional cities as Kraków, Katowice, Poznań, Gdańsk, Wrocław and Łódź, while supporting ITRA Global across the CEE region. We always recruit top client-oriented experts, and will be expanding the team with fresh talent.

Personality of the Year

Jolanta Nowakowska-Zimoch

Jolanta Nowakowska-Zimoch, managing partner, Greenberg Traurig

Who would you like to dedicate your Eurobuild Award to?

I would like to dedicate the award to the entire team at Greenberg Traurig. Their enthusiasm, passion, dedication and expertise, not only for the real estate sector, but the entire office, have been essential to our firm’s success, as well as to my personal achievements. I am extremely grateful for their constant support and the seamless collaboration between our different practices, which has allowed us to provide the highest quality legal services to our clients and make a positive contribution to the real estate sector.

What has been your biggest challenge over the last year?

The biggest challenge I have faced over the last year as managing partner was helping my team develop and grow despite the changing economic conditions and the volatility of the market. No matter what the circumstances are, we also strive for excellence and to maintain the same level of client service and legal expertise. My team’s resilience and adaptability have been vital in overcoming these challenges.

What are your plans for the year ahead of us?

We, as a team, do not follow the market – we are always ahead of it. The growth of the firm is key for me and I am consistently implementing this strategy. This year we have already expanded two practices – energy and infrastructure, and new additions will follow next year. Another challenge for the year ahead is to adapt our lawyers to the changing times and new circumstances – it’s no longer enough to be a skilled specialist in one area, we also need to have a high level of general knowledge and the ability to use new technology. We need to create a new, agile and flexible type of lawyer – not only a legal advisor to the client, but also a business advisor. And let’s not forget the ongoing revolution in artificial intelligence, which represents a major challenge due to the lack of any regulatory framework for this, while at the same time being a huge opportunity for the entire market. Finally, there is no doubt that ESG issues have become more important for all of us and I firmly believe that this trend will only intensify in the coming year.

Outstanding Non-Business Achievement of the Year, Poland

7R’s Support for a Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Ward

Tomasz Lubowiecki, chairman, 7R

Why is your project so important for its beneficiaries?

Polish child psychiatry is in a deep crisis. There is a lack of everything: doctors and properly equipped places where children can find the support they need. At 7R, we believe that everyone has the right to the best possible care. Therefore, we decided to support the Oddział Psychiatryczny dla Dzieci i Młodzieży Szpitala Klinicznego im. dr. Józefa Babińskiego child and adolescent psychiatric ward in Kraków.

How important to you and your company is the work you have done to help them?

Any help we can provide has a profound significance for us. At 7R, we have decided that we will support local communities and engage in activities that may not seem so spectacular but that still really help.

Who would you like to dedicate your Eurobuild Award to?

We would like to dedicate this award to all children and young people who need help. We would like them to know that they can find this support in their surrounding areas. We also want to inspire others to help in this way.