T-Mobile has leased 27,000 sqm of office space - in one project! This is the biggest transaction on the market in the last few months and could easily turn out to be the largest of 2012. Polska Telefonia Cyfrowa (the operator of the T-Mobile network) has chosen a Ghelamco building that does not exist yet. The project is being developed at ul. Marynarska 12 in Warsaw. Ghelamco itself is not commenting on the matter, as it is under contractual confidentiality. The T-Mobile deal is not the only transaction that Jarosław Zagórski, the commercial and business development director of Ghelamco Poland, can be proud of. In the last few months Ghelamco has secured a number of other significant leases, including one with PKN Orlen (9,000 sqm in Senator in Warsaw), and is also to build an office for Netia. The developer has signed leases for a combined area of more than 30,000 sqm since the beginning of the year.
What do you like most and least about doing business in Poland?
I like dynamic, fast changing markets that create new challenges, and through which you can fulfil yourself. I do not like envy. In Poland the successes of others are often considered to be unfairly won and gained through various connections. People forget about all the hard work, without which nobody could have achieved a well-deserved success.
Who do you most admire in the business?
Anyone who is not afraid of challenges, takes risks, looks for innovative solutions and is always setting new and more ambitious goals for themselves.
How did you first get into real estate?
I like sales, I appreciate working with people, I tried to follow my passions - and those have always been the determining factors for me. My adventure with the real estate market started 15 years ago with PricewaterhouseCoopers Real ?Estate, which is now Knight Frank. Later I was employed by Healey & Baker Polska, which eventually changed its name to Cushman & Wakefield, and later I joined CB Richard Ellis. Since 2007 I have been employed by Ghelamco Poland.
What do you regard as your greatest professional success so far?
A lot has happened during my professional career and it is hard to choose one example that would be the most important for me. Instead I tend to consider my activities as a whole, with a particular emphasis on interpersonal cooperation, which includes building lasting, long-term relations with people. I hope that my biggest successes still lie ahead of me.
What is your greatest failure?
I would consider it a failure to offer a product to clients, the value and quality of which I was not convinced of myself.
What contribution do you think you have made to Polish society through your business activities?
I took part in the process of developing the commercial market in Poland from the very beginning and I am happy to have made my contribution. During my 15 years in the sector I have had opportunities to represent my country on the international scene.
Which major projects are you planning in the near future?
Ghelamco's plans for the next 4-5 years involve delivering another 300,000 sqm to the market, of which 160,000 sqm is already under construction. We are currently building the Warsaw Spire tower, which is a great challenge for all of us. We are also finishing the commercialisation of the Senator building in Warsaw and are to start the construction of three new office projects in the capital this year. We carefully monitor the market situation all the time, looking for new possibilities and locations for new projects.
Which is your favourite building and why?
I like modern buildings - they are unique in their own way, but integrated into the fabric of the city. They have to constitute an integral part of their surroundings and maintain their unique character at the same time.
Which living person do you most admire and why?
Paul Hewson (Bono) - not only a talented musician, but also an interesting person who's both socially and politically involved.
What is your fondest memory?
The day I held my daughter for the first time.
What is your idea of a perfect day?
This I'd rather keep to myself.
Which is your favourite restaurant and why?
Mielżyński in Warsaw - good wine and good food in a good atmosphere.
Who is your closest friend and why?
There are people I consider my friends and I know I can call them any time of day or night.
Which characteristics do you hate most in others?
Envy and complaining.
How would like to be remembered?
This has no major significance for me.
Jarosław Zagórski has worked in the real estate business for 15 years. He has been employed by PricewaterhouseCoopers Real Estate (currently Knight Frank), Healey & Baker Polska (which later became Cushman & Wakefield), where he became a partner in 2002, and for CB Richard Ellis, where he was head of the office department. At that point of his career he specialised in drawing up leasing strategies for buildings and tenant representation. He has been employed by Ghelamco since 2007. Jarosław is responsible for the strategy and development of the company's commercial property sector and the overall supervision of project implementation. He specialises in the commercialisation, sales and marketing of office properties.
