From last place to 4th out of 11 teams. At the charity dragon boat races, we supported Zlatá rybka and its mission to make the dreams of seriously ill children come true—and we discovered that a team is built even on the water.
The new school year is traditionally associated with September 1st, backpacks, and new pencil cases. We decided to add to that atmosphere—and sent our clients and partners back to their desks as well. Instead of a classroom, however, we chose Střídačka’s garden; instead of schoolwork, just good food and drinks; and instead of homework, no obligations—just a good get-together with everyone we meet throughout the year at trade shows, in meetings, and on projects.
132,000 square meters of newly completed industrial space versus 263,000 m2 of new lease transactions. This disparity between the volume of leases and newly completed manufacturing and warehouse space was a defining factor for the situation in the Czech Republic during the second quarter. However, by the end of June and during the subsequent summer vacation weeks, this region also felt the effects of the hot European summer: increased fuel costs for transportation, trucks returning to the roads due to impassable rivers, and weakening performance in the German automotive industry due to declining purchasing power and competition, particularly from Chinese automakers.
Demand for office space in major European cities fell by 9% year-over-year in the first half of 2026, mainly due to a lack of large transactions. Prime rents, however, continue to rise—by 6.2% year-over-year in major markets—driven by a shortage of high-quality Class A space. The vacancy rate rose to 9.6%, but remains highly polarized: prime locations in city centers are nearly full, while space is becoming available on the outskirts.
Activity picked up across sectors, while prime yields remained largely stable. The only compression was observed in the industrial sector.
Hybrid work arrangements and remote work are among the main reasons for the weaker performance of the office space market in Europe during the first half of this year. However, the declining volume of lease transactions is also influenced by tenants’ cautious approach due to economic uncertainty. Another factor is the shortage of larger, high-quality spaces available for rent, especially in attractive parts of European cities. While demand for prime office space is growing in Barcelona, Brussels, and Dublin, traditional markets in London, Paris, Milan, and Germany’s largest cities are seeing a double-digit year-over-year decline in leasing activity. According to the real estate consulting firm 108 REAL ESTATE, tenants’ needs are clearly changing—there is a prevailing interest in smaller, higher-quality spaces in attractive locations, for which companies are willing to pay higher rents. The highest rents have risen by nearly 5% year-over-year.
Five or more hectares, at least 20,000 square meters of buildable area, and a valid building permit. This is what the most common demand for development land in the Czech Republic looks like. However, according to the real estate consulting firm 108 REAL ESTATE, other requirements and conditions in this market segment have changed year-over-year. Developers are no longer buying land for future projects but are now almost exclusively tailoring their purchases to specific tenants or end owners. The traditionally most attractive locations around Prague, Brno, and Plzeň have been joined by regions associated with announced major investments—for example, the Cheb area, where Mercedes-Benz plans to build a large logistics center for spare parts. According to 108 REAL ESTATE, buyer interest is also focused on areas near newly constructed highway sections, particularly the D6 and D35.
This year, we became the main partner of the 108 REAL ESTATE Czech and Slovak Surfing Championship 2026—and it was a fantastic event that we were thrilled to be a part of.
The Prague modern office market entered 2026 in a structurally tight position. Vacancy rates have fallen year-on-year, deliveries of new space will be well below the long-term average this year, and more than half of demand is accounted for by renegotiations of existing contracts. What does this mean for companies that have, are looking for, or are leasing office space?
