Sofia Will Have More Than 1m Sq M Office Space In 2008 31/03/2008
Sofia's office space market registered another quarter of strong performance at the end of 2007, according to the latest MBL consultancy report. The number of class A and B offices continued to grow, amounting to 784 000 sq m as of the end of fourth quarter of 2007, after a new delivery of 48 350 sq m office areas, all of them in suburban areas, according to research from MBL. Provided data includes areas in single-tenant owner-occupied and speculative (developed as an investment product – aiming at subsequent sale/rent of the units for reaping profits) buildings, as well as in condominiums. More than 580 000 sq m of class A and B office space were under construction in Sofia at the end of last year, two thirds of which were in suburban regions. Tsarigradsko Chaussee Blvd emerged... more

Closed Type Complexes Go Into The Fad 12/03/2008
The real estate market is growingly orienting toward building the so-called “closed type” complexes, namely such offering many amenities in one place. The trend is pervasive and is in place at the seaside, mountains and Sofia alike, Ivan Goranov, the co-manager of Home4You consultancy, said in an interview on October 12 with Focus news agency. Goranov cited the complexes in Bankia and Bistritsa as examples and said the complexes' fad will be gaining pace in the years to come. “This is the future – people are on the lookout for many amenities at a single spot,” Goranov was quoted by Focus as saying. “The closed-type complex offers precisely this. In such complexes people can enjoy a well-developed infrastructure and a host of services such as fitness, spa centres, tennis... more

Res Still To Go In Mass Use In Building Projects Build Green Cee 25/04/2008
Use of unconventional energy resources in Romania in new buildings or in renovating new ones is still a pioneering activity, hence a correct design that can be replicated across other buildings is yet to be found, said architect Gabriela Tabacu, a professor at University of Architecture and Urbanism Ion Mincu, at Build Green CEE.   She showcased the renovation concept for a building on Tomescu Street in Bucharest, which is to use solar panels for heating and electricity as well as heating pumps.   The innovative concept involves higher renovation costs than if classical equipment were used but is set to cut utility costs at the operation stage, Tabacu added.   Another solar panel installation was envisaged in the renovation model for a rural house, intended for subsequent use for... more