How long have you known Warimpex and what is your view on the company?

I have to think about when I got to know Warimpex, because, for me, the company has been a fixture on the property market for decades. It was probably in the second half of the 1990s. I remember my first visit to Lodz with Warimpex - long before the planning of the Andel's Hotel began there - and later in Prague. Further meetings followed at MIPIM in Cannes - Expo Real was just getting underway - in other Eastern European cities and finally in Vienna. Warimpex is one of the pioneers and first movers in property development with a long and strong track record, especially in CEE.
To speak of ‘a permanent fixture on the property market’ already shows my appreciation. This is based on a mixture of people and projects, enthusiasm and curiosity, and many discussions on common property management issues. In addition, without it being a contradiction, there is the clear analysis of locations and concepts on the one hand and a great interest in art and culture on the other. As a German, I would like to add that Warimpex begins with W for Wien (Vienna). Franz Jurkowitsch and Georg Folian in particular introduced me to the many facets of the Austrian capital, so that I still enjoy visiting Vienna time and again.  

What key trends are currently emerging in the property sector?

That is a pretty big question. However, we all know about the current mega-trends like ESG, smart buildings and smart cities, digitisation and thus the use of AI as well as recently structured financing in unstructured times, the transformation topic and numerous discussions about what uses of space
in buildings are in or out. Add the appeal of city centres, the needs regarding climate change,
an investor landscape in transition and… and…and…
Let me add that all these trends occur everywhere. Although more or less intensive in different
locations and cultures, this shows another trend: a stronger internationalisation of the property
sector. The same questions are asked in different cities and countries, and the exchange about it is
growing significantly.  

We are currently experiencing significant market changes, influenced by geopolitical events such as the Ukraine conflict, inflation, new ESG regulations and economic uncertainties. How should property developers in Central and Eastern Europe position themselves strategically in
order to operate successfully in this challenging environment?


Like Warimpex does! But to answer more seriously, I think that the word ‘flexible’ in ‘flexible office spaces’ means a lot. Flexibility seems to be required for operating successfully in the environment given. The overall situation with its rapid changes and uncertainties is surely not the best prerequisite for real estate development that needs to last for a long period of time. However, if a good opportunity comes up, grab it. If an old plan no longer works, skip it. When conditions improve, you can consider it again. On the other hand, do not lose what can be called your identity. Idling or just meandering is not a solution either.  By the way, regarding flexibility Germans can learn a lot from the Austrians. It is much more than
simply black or white. Maybe that is one of the reasons for the Austrian success in CEE as well.
Another one might be – something I also learnt from Austrians – that they are part of CEE not only in terms of common history. Many forget or even do not know that Vienna is geographically located
further east than Prague, and the Austrian cities of Bregenz or Innsbruck are further away from
Vienna than Budapest, for example.  

The working world has changed noticeably since the coronavirus pandemic, which has also changed the dynamics of face-to-face meetings and trade fairs. How important is direct contact at property trade fairs for you, especially the upcoming Expo Real, and what expectations do you have of such events in the current market environment?  

Good question! Allow me to answer in a more personal context. Without the MIPIM and, later on Expo Real, many of my long-term contacts and, meanwhile, some friendships would never have happened. This also includes the visits at the Warimpex booth and the Warimpex dinner at MIPIM, each year a marvellous event to follow-up with familiar faces and to meet new ones. But it can be said for property trade fairs in general.
I’m looking forward to this year’s Expo Real. It’s about meeting and greeting, for sure, but it’s also about exchange. In the current market environment, some expected that the Expo Real would be some 30 per cent smaller. In fact, the number of exhibitors declined by only around 4 per cent. That says a lot.
To be honest, I’m still not used to such big events after the pandemic, especially with the Octoberfest that takes place beforehand. Personally, I much more prefer to use digital tools. On the other hand, going digital only cannot be a solution as such. If, in the current market environment, a trade fair like Expo Real is not about ‘Let’s party’ but about food for thought and exchange, then I guess it’s worth it. Remember the ‘real’ in the term real estate.

Andreas Schiller is Editor-in-chief of the online medium “SPH Newsletter”. In addition he writes as a regular contributor for German daily “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” (FAZ), for Austrian daily “Der Standard”, for Swiss trade magazin "Immobilien Business" and for other media about real estate as well as city and regional development topics.