FM newsroom – property market, investment. In the first quarter of 2025, Romania saw a surge in commercial real estate investments, with international buyers leading the charge. Retail and office sectors were among the top targets for high-value transactions.
According to a study by Fortim Trusted Advisors, a member of the BNP Paribas Real Estate Alliance, commercial real estate transactions in Romania reached EUR 155.8 million in Q1 2025. A massive 68% of this total came from UK investors—most notably through a single investor, M Core.
Diverse International Interest in Landmark Assets
M Core acquired Suceava Shopping City along with a portfolio of seven retail parks, spending a combined EUR 105 million. This move solidified the UK’s dominant position in Romania’s property market at the start of the year.
Lebanon ranked second, accounting for 34.3% of total investment value in Q1. A Lebanese company purchased an 8,400-square-meter office building in Bucharest’s Victoria Center for approximately EUR 30 million. The property stands out for its strong occupancy rate.
Romanian investors came in third, continuing their steady presence in the market. They purchased two major assets: the Winmarkt Someș shopping centre in Cluj-Napoca and the Hotel Balada Saturn on the seaside. Together, the properties were acquired for EUR 14.4 million.
Eurobuild CEE also points out that, in addition to the significant deals, other notable transactions include a family from Cyprus acquiring the historic Maria Lahovari villa in Bucharest’s Dorobanti district for EUR 6.35 million, with plans to transform it into a private school. A Chinese investor bought a furniture company and its production halls in Timiș County, with the deal exceeding EUR 10 million.
Investment Trends: Retail and Hotels on the Rise
“The retail segment started strong in 2025, and we’re also seeing growing interest in the hotel sector,” said Nicolae Ciobanu, managing partner at Fortim Trusted Advisors. He noted that a major deal involving industrial parks is expected to close soon, potentially boosting total investment volume further.
Despite longer transaction times in the office sector, premium assets with good locations and high occupancy rates continue to attract investors.
While Romanian investors are currently holding steady in third place, their strongest year was 2022. Pavăl Holding led with EUR 467 million in office acquisitions that year, representing nearly half of the market. However, since then, the company has expanded its focus to real estate opportunities abroad, including in Switzerland and Italy.
With UK investors leading the charge and multiple countries showing keen interest in Romanian assets, 2025 is shaping up to be a dynamic year for the commercial property market. The trend highlights Romania’s growing appeal as a destination for both retail and office investment across Europe and beyond.
