Uncategorized - ROMANIA PROPERTY CLUB

Ioannis Papalekas

Ioannis Papalekas ROMANIA PROPERTY CLUB ROMANIA PROPERTY CLUB 28/08/2018 28/08/2018

Ioannis Papalekas

Founder & CEO, Globalworth

BIOGRAPHY

Founder of Globalworth, Ioannis Papalekas has nearly 20 years of real estate investment and development experience, predominantly in Romania, having created one of the most successful real estate development and investment groups in the Romanian real estate market. He has significant experience in the acquisition, master planning, development, reconstruction, refurbishment, operation and asset management of land and buildings across all major asset classes in Romania. Before founding Globalworth, Ioannis was responsible for the acquisition, development and successful disposal of more than 400,000sqm of commercial (office, retail and logistics) space and 1,000 residential units in Romania.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Globalworth is a leading real estate company with a primary focus on Poland and Romania, the two largest markets in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The company acquires, develops and manages commercial real estate assets, primarily in the office sector. In Romania, Globalworth has built a unique portfolio, valued at €1.1 billion as at December 2017 and establish itself as the leading real estate investor in the country, through acquisitions and developments, including landmark office buildings in Bucharest such as Globalworth Tower, Globalworth Plaza, TCI and, most recently, Globalworth Campus.

Ben Adams, Founding Director, Ben Adams Architects

Ben Adams, Founding Director, Ben Adams Architects ROMANIA PROPERTY CLUB ROMANIA PROPERTY CLUB 27/08/2018 27/08/2018

BREC Talks to Ben Adams

Founding Director, Ben Adams Architects

``Office buildings need to be interesting, creative, non-standard and exciting to be in. Bucharest is still building largely boring buildings and needs to wake up to the demand for better buildings that let at higher rents..``

Established in 2010, Ben Adams Architects has quickly developed a reputation for elegant, contextual architecture balancing function with an appropriate degree of innovation and flair. With offices in London and Los Angeles, the architectural studio has in its portfolio clients such as Nobu Hotel, Derwent London, The Science Museum, Great Portland Estates etc. The company’s founder, Ben Adams, has recently visited Bucharest for un upcoming project and shared with BREC his opinions on the development of the city.

Bucharest is now experiencing a “natural gentrification” phenomenon. How do you see the potential of historic, industrial buildings in Bucharest? What successful examples did you develop/ see?

Bucharest is a beautiful city, with a long history and a unique position in Europe between the ‘old’ countries of Western Europe and the new frontier to the East. Bucharest should position itself as a vibrant mix of old and new, with so many opportunities for those looking to make a difference. Be brave.

The historic buildings and industrial heritage of Bucharest are one of its most powerful assets.

We have seen Brooklyn explode with developments in old Industrial neighborhoods, and Shoreditch in east central London is now one of the most desirable parts of the city in which to live and work. Making something new by reinventing your heritage has driven development in London, New York, Chicago, Berlin and many other successful cities in the last twenty years. Bucharest needs to embrace this process and recognize how powerful it is as an engine of change. We are working on a huge re-use project in Grivita that is a great example of this phenomenon.

You have recently visited Bucharest – what type of projects do you think Bucharest can accommodate now? What idea would you give a developer to build together with you in Bucharest?

I think the market in Bucharest is maturing as new office buildings, shopping malls and residential projects appear in different parts of the city. What I haven’t seen is the kind of characterful mixed-use buildings that are common in cities like London and Los Angeles. They can be large or small, and the mix of uses is what makes local neighborhoods desirable, interesting and also valuable.

What should Bucharest do to attract international investors (let`s say, your clients from London)?

I think Bucharest needs to shout about its growth and the returns that are on offer from what is a low commercial basis. It means you can acquire land at low cost and build projects in phases according to demand. I know that a lot of office space in Bucharest is pre-let before the buildings are begun, or complete, and this suggests that there is a big opportunity for investors in speculative buildings that stand out from the crowd.

What`s your proposal for economically efficient office buildings? How would you help a developer maximize his investment through architecture?

Office buildings need to be interesting, creative, non-standard and exciting to be in. For many years the office market was boring and repetitive and then everything changed about ten years ago in London, New York and Los Angeles. Bucharest is still building largely boring buildings and needs to wake up to the demand for better buildings that let at higher rents. There is some evidence of this happening near the Government in Piata Victoriei but it is an exception for the moment.

Zara embraces innovation and opens tech pop-up store in London

Zara embraces innovation and opens tech pop-up store in London ROMANIA PROPERTY CLUB ROMANIA PROPERTY CLUB 12/02/2018 12/02/2018

Future of retail fashion: Zara embraces innovation

and opens tech pop-up store in London

The accelerating pace of innovation is changing the real estate industry and the latest move of fashion retailer, Zara, is just the proof. At the end of January, Zara launched a tech-enabled pop-up store in London, designed for click and collect purchases ahead of a new permanent flagship space.

The pop-up store which occupies 200 sq. m in Westfield Stratford City offers a small edit of men’s and women’s clothing that shoppers can purchase online while there in person. This enables delivery same day if placed before 2pm, or the next day if placed in the afternoon. The clients can also access the full catalogue of the collections to choose from online.

Staff is available to assist with mobile devices and an easy payment system operated by Bluetooth is also aiming to facilitate a new experience. Mirrors in the pop-up store have embedded information screens to offer product recommendations – by scanning an item the system suggests other garments and accessories to coordinate and style with the one the client is trying, all by his or her size.

The pop-up will be open until May while the retailer’s flagship in the same location is refurbished.

The new space will occupy alsmot 4,500 sq. m and will have a similat focus on tehchology & innovation.

In the picture – the future Zara flagship store in Westfield Stratford City.