Skanska has sold the Nowy Rynek D office building in Poznan, Poland, to Eastnine AB, a Swedish real estate company focused on modern and sustainable office and logistics properties. The project is designed and built in line with environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles, which demonstrates Skanska’s commitment to creating sustainable places that have a positive impact on people, society and the planet. It is the first transaction between the two parties in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).
Nowy Rynek D is part of a mix-used complex located in the heart of Poznan, which will ultimately consist of five buildings and will offer over 100,000 sqm of modern office and retail space. Completed in June 2021, Nowy Rynek D offers around 39,000 sqm of sustainable and modern office and retail space, which is 96% leased. The anchor tenant is Allegro, the most popular shopping platform in Poland and the largest e-commerce platform of European origin. Office spaces have also been leased, among others, by tenants with strong, global brands – the world's leading manufacturer of stone wool Rockwool and a leading international service provider Arvato, that is a division of Bertelsmann.
Nowy Rynek was designed to serve as a safe and healthy workspace, supporting various needs of tenants and visitors, including those of individuals with disabilities, parents with children, seniors and those who do not speak Polish. It has already received the WELL Health & Safety Rating and the Building without Barriers certificate. It is also expected to obtain the LEED Core & Shell, as well as the WELL Core & Shell certifications.
The Nowy Rynek complex is an exceptional project in Poznan. Offices developed by Skanska are based on sustainable and innovative solutions, which makes them high-quality spaces aligned with the current and future needs of tenants and investors. As such, they are well-positioned to serve as long-term investments and safe and healthy spaces for users. We are very happy that these features are appreciated by our customers, as proven by the very positive feedback we continue to receive about this project, says Arkadiusz Rudzki, Executive Vice President of Leasing & Sales at Skanska’s commercial development business unit in CEE.
It feels very exciting to be able to acquire such a prestigious property located in one of Poland's larger regional cities. We are entering a new market with great opportunities, says Kestutis Sasnauskas, CEO of Eastnine AB.
We are very happy that this prime project has been recognized by Eastnine AB and that the company decided to commence their investments in CEE with Skanska. The acquisition of Nowy Rynek D proves that investors are ready to diversify their portfolios with new assets located in major Polish cities, and that Poland has a lot to offer in this respect. In turbulent times, well leased, core assets built in line with ESG principles are what investors look for across our region and Skanska is proud to be able to offer products that address this need, says Adrian Karczewicz, Head of Divestment at Skanska’s commercial development business unit in CEE.
With its unique façade shimmering with shades of green, which turns into a rusty pink at the top, Nowy Rynek D combines modern architecture and technologies while being an integral part of the historical neighborhood. The building features user-friendly solutions, such as ventilation and temperature control system based on chilled beams that ensure greater thermal comfort, cleaner air, and quiet operation of equipment, positively impacting the comfort and wellbeing of users.
Nowy Rynek D is one of the most sustainable buildings in Poznan. The use of climate-smart solutions (e.g. low-speed ventilation, chilled beams, LED lighting, free cooling, grey and rainwater systems) in both the building and office spaces resulted in considerable energy efficiency increase and water savings, respectively. Furthermore, sidewalks around the office building are made from a special type of concrete that cleans the air from harmful substances, such as those emitted from automobile tailpipes (NOx).
Once fully completed, the Nowy Rynek complex is expected to serve as a new meeting, leisure and entertainment space for tenants and the local community, bringing added value to office users, but also to the city’s residents and visitors. It includes a state-of-art courtyard in the center of the D building, which is an important element of the office area and an integral part of the complex, enriching its architecture and offering unlimited access to the public.
Skanska commercial development business unit is a leading office developer in the CEE and operates in four countries: Poland, Hungary, Romania and the Czech Republic. It uses knowledge & foresight to shape the way people live, work, and connect. Together with our customers, partners and the collective expertise of our teammates, we create future-proof and sustainable places and solutions that support healthy living beyond our lifetime. Skanska's office projects are certified in the LEED, WELL Core & Shell, and WELL Health-Safety Rating systems. In 2021, Skanska commercial development business unit in CEE sold office buildings for over EUR 362 million and leased 55,137 sqm of office space.