It’s getting hot in here

The temperature in June soared. I’m not just referring to the climatic conditions, which sweltered up to above 30ºC over the two days that the Property Market 
& Integration Conference was held, but also to the heated discussions that took place during the conference, the spectators dozing off during the tennis tournament and the steamy atmosphere accompanying the fun and games laid on in the evening – which itself was conducive to a great deal of integration

This time the event was being held in Mrągowo, on the Masurian lakes. The first evening, June 10th, was a day of relaxation and for making new contacts during the supper and the disco later on. And having a rest was exactly what was called for, because the conference, which was focused on the problems faced by the industry, started the very next morning. The first subject was designed to be slightly lighter: how to use social networking websites as marketing tools. Piotr Jeske of BZ WBK bank emphasised that such sites not only provide a cheap and effective means of reaching clients, but they also give the latter the power to influence this area of business. “Being on Facebook is a must,” stressed Piotr Jeske, in a discussion led by Tomasz Sikorski of the Codes Strategie agency. 
Mariusz Kania of the Metrohouse agency announced that he has decided to put the potential of the portal to the test. “It is one of the cheapest forms of marketing and this is a very important aspect for us, as representatives of local government,” asserted Magdalena Tusińska of Radom city council, which is not only active on Facebook, but also on goldenline and blip.pl. The next discussion panel, which was dedicated to converting old facilities into modern buildings, initiated a lively discussion among the participants of the conference. Anna Rostkowska, an architect working for the Pracownia Architektoniczno-Konserwatorska Proart architectural studio, was bombarded. “The completion times for such projects depends on the city where the project is carried out. Statistically, modernisation work in Warsaw takes the longest time,” according to Ms Rostkowska. In her opinion, the completion of one sqm of an historic project, when ceilings need to be replaced, a small car park constructed and marble laid in the stairwells, etc., costs app. PLN 4,000. According to Mirosław Zalewski of 
TPS Otwarta Przestrzeń, 
PLN 4,000 is an optimistic estimate. “The specific requirements of the conservator of historic buildings for elevations or regarding technical solutions must cost a great deal,” he emphasised – and he should know since he has been struggling with such a project in the TriCity for some time. So is it worth taking on such complicated projects? The participants of the panel, including Michał Obarzanowski of G2o, all seemed to reply with one voice: it is worth it! After the coffee break, a heated discussion flared up about the sense of including show-homes in a given project that – at least in theory – should make it easier to sell the residential units. Maciej Zaborowski of Grupa GSZ discoursed on the mistakes that are often made in the design of such apartments. In his opinion, one common mistake is over-investing, since luxury is not the most sought-after feature, even though a hunger for it might seem natural after many years of living in a grey communistic country. Instead, show-homes should typify the lowest quality houses or apartments of the project. However, Marcin Gutaj of Magnolia Polska described how his company had adapted one of the biggest and most attractive houses in one estate, wowing the potential buyers visiting the project. But this was beside the point, according to Eliza Wachowiec of Magnus Group, who was sceptical about the value of show-homes. “Our clients have their own visions of finished homes and showing them completed interior designs that they might not even like often has an adverse effect, discouraging them from making a purchase,” she stressed. And how much does finishing an apartment cost? There is a big differential: between PLN 600 and 2,000 per sqm. The conference finished with a debate about environmentally-friendly development. Agnes Vorbrodt-Schurma of the Polish Green Building Council argued that based on US research, the completion of an eco-friendly building is only 1.5 pct more expensive than a standard one and the lower maintenance costs compensate for the higher financial outlays within a few years. Moreover, Robert Nobis of Colliers International emphasised that it is worth spending more because foreign investment funds looking for opportunities to acquire properties appreciate projects of this type. An eco-friendly warehouse might also represent a good opportunity for an acquisition. Marek Bednar-czyk of warehouse developer Segro also added to the discussion about these projects. After dinner the tennis players of the sector paraded their skills, while other conference participants took the opportunity to take a dip in Lake Czos, or to avail themselves of the spa facilities of Mercure Mrągovia Resort & Spa (the venue of the conference), or simply to lounge around and relax before an evening filled with attractions. Grzegorz Czaus of the Ozone architectural studio triumphed on the tennis courts and left Mrągowo on Saturday carrying the tennis racquet he had won on the back seat of his motorbike. Rafał Twarowski of ECE Projektmanagement was the runner-up and Wojciech Tarapacz of Probuild came third. The winners’ celebrations that followed only came to an end at daybreak the following morning. ν (And)