ROMANIA PROPERTY CLUB

29.10.2023

• Timisoara

 Timisoara is the second most developed industrial & logistics market outside Bucharest, with a total modern stock of 733,000 sqm (c.a. 11%) and more than 40,000 sqm under development. Its outstanding proximity to Western Europe, the border, and plug into the TEN-T infrastructure made Timisoara the go-to hub for manufacturing and logistics. 

In terms of production, the most developed sectors are computers, electronics & optical equipment, automotive, electrical equipment, rubber & plastics. Global industry giants set foot and subsequently expanded in Timisoara. Continental, TRW Automotive, Hella, Draexlmaier, TE Connectivity, Kimball, and Flextronics are just a few select names that contributed to one of Romania’s strongest production hubs.

The total leasing activity for the first half of 2023 amounts to 88,000 sqm, leading to a vacancy rate of 6.8%. A market equilibrium is considered when the vacancy rate reaches 8%; below this threshold, the market is considered to be a landlord’s market. The status quo is reflected in the rise of headline rents to 4.25 EUR/sqm and the continuous plans for the development of established professional developers. The region concentrates on the operations of the four strongest industrial & logistics investors and developers. CTP, WDP, VGP, and Globalworth have extensive footprints in Timis. The first three companies rely on the economies of scale, network effects, and relative value provided by their extensive pan-European presence and ability to serve a variety of client needs. 

CEE-focused investor, Globalworth, seized the opportunity to serve some of the world’s most reputable companies in consumer goods, automotive, electrical equipment, and logistics. Encompassing 58 ha, Timisoara I&II industrial parks span over 132,000 sqm of existing GLA and offer 185,000 sqm for built-to-suit requirements. Global Vision also acted as a general contractor and asset manager for the Continental site.

VGP owns 35 ha in Timisoara, with a total built capacity of up to 180,000 sqm. Presently, it hosts retailers, distribution, and logistics operators due to its strategic location. VGP Park Timișoara, although currently fully leased, still has expansion possibilities.

WDP invested in two sites totalling c.a 22 ha and 156,000 sqm GLA in the proximity of the A1 highway and Traian Vuia International Airport. Blue chip tenants in retail, consumer goods, and logistics thrive in the spaces managed by the Belgian operator.

CTP owns almost a third of the total modern stock in Timisoara – 220,000 sqm. The three industrial parks (Ghiroda, Sud, Vest) are built over more than 34 ha and offer development opportunities for more than 200,000 sqm subject to tenant demand. Major transportation, logistics, distribution, and courier services occupy large areas within the CTP Timisoara business parks.

Other notable industrial & logistics investors and developers in Timis include Logicor, Artemis, and Transilvania Constructii. The local authorities are prepared to bid for international clients as well. The 60-ha Freidorf Industrial Park is split into various parcels with all the utilities on site and can be concessioned for up to 49 years, with an extension option. It is important to note that companies can benefit from tax abatements subject to a transparent scale tied to the total investment amount and headcounts. In addition, any green buildings benefit from further property tax reductions.

Timisoara is not only a strong manufacturing base for global giants or a key point on the map for pan-European investors and developers. It is also a strong entrepreneurial hub. The inherent know-how transfer from international investors, a niche of opportunities to serve global clients with a core business model, and the entrepreneurial worldview set the base for strong local transportation, distribution, auto, and IT production companies.

Timisoara is set to maintain its steady course and potentially expand its service sector, as this avenue is fully supported by an educated workforce and a critical mass of capital.

27.10.2023

• Timisoara

Relative to population and student migration patterns, Timisoara enjoys a right-sized stock of modern offices amounting to 300,000 sqm, with an expected pipeline of at least 24,000 sqm. The vacancy rate rose close to 15%, similar to Bucharest.

Headline rents for class A offices range from 14.0 to 15.5 EUR/sqm/month. During 2022, Timisoara registered the strongest office demand outside Bucharest (more than 50,000 sqm). However, during the first half of 2023, the demand was modest, in line with Q1 2023 in the capital city. The slowdown does not discourage existing or new schemes to develop during the next 18 months.

IULIUS TOWN Timisoara is the city’s main urban regeneration mixed-use scheme that Iulius Group rolled over Romania’s most important regional poles. The project is a large integrated retail–office development. United Business Center, the office component, offers more than 80,000 sqm of modern LEED Certified class A infrastructure to numerous tenants in the IT&C and automotive sectors. The impressive roster of blue-chip tenants features Amazon, IBM, Microsoft, Endava, Bitdefender, Intel, Atos, Ness Digital, Cognizant, Autoliv, NTT Data, Visma Software, and many other reputable companies. The benefits offered by the city’s dominant retail scheme, along with medical educational and leisure facilities within walking distance made the case for employers looking to attract talent.

The first landmark modern office development in Timisoara is the City Business Center, presently named AFI Park Timisoara. Totaling 48,000 sqm over 5 buildings with modular floor plates, the property is home to reputable technology and support centers of multinational companies such as Wipro, Accenture, SAP, Hella, etc.  Facilities such as retail areas, a sky bar with a panoramic view, and a 5’ walking distance of the old city contributed to the resilience of the scheme that delivered its first building in 2006 and the last in 2015. The most notable fact about the property is that it is the only large commercial building sold twice in the city. NEPI Rockcastle purchased the project from local developer Mulberry Development and later sold it to AFI Europe.

Mulberry Development invested the proceeds into a mixed-use multi-phased project, called ISHO. The scheme includes a residential and a hotel (future Radisson Blu) component, a 700-spot multi-story parking, and a three-phased integrated office development spanning over 50,000 sqm of class A offices. Large occupiers such as Bosch Service Solutions, Visteon, Canon, SSI, Regina Maria, Deloitte, and KPMG chose ISHO as their operating base in the region.

In terms of future deliveries, it is important to flag that one of the established developers in Bucharest extended its presence in Cluj and Timisoara. Speedwell is developing a mixed residential–office scheme located on the former Paltim factory. Ultra-centrally located, overlooking Bega River, the 16,000 sqm of brand-new offices and old villa reconversion are expected on the market by the end of 2024. The developer announced earlier this year it has acquired 24,000 sqm of land, the former 1 iunie textile factory, where it intends to build a multi-purpose scheme – residential, offices and retail.

One of the items that commercial developers should account for in Timisoara is the generous centrally located landbank, as 25% of the city’s area is still unbuilt, according to the City Hall. While this might seem attractive as it allows for competitive land acquisition, it is important to pace development and carefully plan an exit. The low unemployment rate, the variable number of students, and their desire to live in the city postgraduation are to be accounted for when planning an investment, due to the possibility of competitive schemes that can benefit from a good location.

26.10.2023

• Timisoara

With a strategic location offering access to pan-European road infrastructure and a skilled educated workforce, doubled by efforts of local authorities both in terms of infrastructure projects and cultural programs, Timisoara catches the eye of both institutional and local real estate investors.

The investors’ focus on this city determines a dynamic land market. Data from local consultancy company Hitch & Mosher show that prices for permitted plots vary between 35-60 Euro/sqm for logistics developments, 113-350 Euro/sqm for retail developments and 155 up to 1,490 Euro/sqm for residential and mixed-use schemes.

Timisoara represents Romania’s third office market, following Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca. Some big occupiers such as Amazon, IBM, Microsoft, Wipro, Hella or Accenture established offices locally. The modern office stock amounts for 300,000 sqm with another 24,000 sqm in the pipeline.

Residential sector was affected by the same turbulences which impacted the national housing market in 2023. While demand for residential for sale is lowering, residential for rent is seeing a noticeable increase. Data from imobiliare.ro shows an increase in demand of 44% in the last two years for rented apartments.

The city enjoys one the highest retail densities from Romania with a ratio of 1,055 sqm per 1,000 inhabitants. The total modern stock amounts to approx. 265,000 sqm with some significant projects. Iulius owns here a 102,000 sqm development, the largest shopping area outside of Bucharest.

Timisoara is the second most developed industrial & logistics market outside of Bucharest, with a moder stock of 733,000 sqm and more than 40,000 sqm under development. All major players are present locally: VGP, Globalworth, CTP and WDP.

Hotel sector is one of the most under-developed, with only 331 rooms built during the last ten years. “Timisoara European Capital of Culture 2023” is expected to bring future opportunities. In this respect, four new 4* & 5* branded hotels, totalling 416 rooms, are under development with delivery dates between 2025 – 2026.

Under those circumstances, Timisoara remains one of the strongest real estate hubs outside Bucharest, set to enter a new development phase.