30.01.2025

What are the main challenges & opportunities for the real estate market in 2025?
The local market is still extremely attractive and presents numerous opportunities for development. Bucharest could be even more attractive if there were improvements in infrastructure, predictability of urban planning regulations, investments in the city’s brand itself. The geopolitical, climate and economic challenges require businesses to focus more on long-lasting quality. Rising material costs and tighter regulations are real challenges, but they only motivate us to innovate further and deliver greater value.
Our projects – whether they are residential, commercial, or focused on historic restoration, aim to bring more value to the city and to attract international companies to open offices here, such as Infineon Technologies, or famous brands to enter the local market, such as Mondrian. For us, these are already a cornerstone of our investments.
What are the company’s business targets and plans for 2025?
Our objective is to develop sustainable communities, in all the business segments in which we operate – residential, office and commercial, hospitality.
One of our objectives is to strengthen our residential portfolio. One United Properties intends to expand beyond its current residential segment and accelerate the development of premium affordable housing targeting Bucharest’s middle class. The development of strategic partnerships is also on our list, as we aim to attract international brands and turn our locations into landmark points in the market. Investing in historic restoration is our contribution to increasing the attractiveness of the city and creating new economic opportunities.
One of our most anticipated deliveries for 2025 is One Gallery, a multi-functional retail hub developed through the restoration of the former Ford’s historic factory, which has all the data to become a landmark of the Floreasca district and an attraction for the city itself. It will include a unique commercial component and spaces for cultural events and theatre performances. We thus want to continue to contribute to the communities where we are present.
In the office segment, we aim to expand our portfolio and focus on large turnkey developments, such as One Technology District, a modern office hub completely gas-free that we are currently building for the giant German Infineon Technologies. It aims to be the world’s largest research and development centre for semiconductor chips in south-eastern Europe, which is an excellent signal for the attractiveness of the local market.
How will anticipated economic conditions, government policies or EU funding programs influence the residential real estate market in Romania?
The local residential market is influenced by prospects of economy growth or interest rates that can lead to higher consumer confidence and demand for residential properties, particularly in urban centres like Bucharest, Cluj, Timișoara, just to name a few. EU funding targeted at green and energy-efficient developments can significantly impact the market, while EU-backed infrastructure improvements can increase property values and make other emerging areas more attractive. Such is the case of Fabrica de Glucoză area, that has developed enormously in the past years becoming a new hotspot on the real estate market. With the anticipated completion of the A7, this corporate district will be directly connected not only via the A3 to Ploiești, but also via the A7 to the whole Moldova area. Increased accessibility to new geographical regions of the country can attract new investments, both residential and commercial. Improved connectivity is likely to attract more demand for properties in the area, with an appreciation in the value of buildings and land over time.
While these factors can fuel market growth, challenges like rising material costs, labour shortages, or delays in accessing EU funds could temper their impact. Nonetheless, developers who adapt quickly stand to gain a competitive edge.
How will Romania’s economic outlook, labour market trends, and regulatory changes affect office space absorption rates and new project launches in 2025?
Office space absorption in Bucharest, the largest capital in the CEE region, is expected to rise due to constrained supply driven by zoning restrictions. Romania’s positive economic growth projections further support this trend. Additionally, the availability of a skilled talent pool and the return of expatriates are significant contributors. This reverse brain drain is actively bolstering Romania’s position as a nearshoring hub for EU and US companies, driving further demand for office space and development opportunities.