Roman Klott, GM at NAI Atrium - Biggest demand is for modern office space in Novi Beograd
Certification of green building-based buildings is currently the most wanted company services. We spoke with Roman Klott, GM at NAI Atrium about how many of these certifications they provided, which their most demanding projects are and what real estate market in Serbia really is.
eKapija: Can you number the projects you have recently been working on? Is there a service clients are particularly interested in?
- Currently, our sustainable building services are “most wanted”. In previous 3 months, NAI contracted over 350.000 m2 of building certifications in Serbia, Romania and Slovenia. W e are performing LEED, BREEAM certifications, energy modelling or other related services on all these projects.
eKapija: When we are speaking about finding office space, what are clients’ requests like?
- Being a member of the NAI Global network, we have constantly new client requests pending. Most of them look for modern office space in New Belgrade, even though some specific clients wish to take up space in the city center.
eKapija: What are the most demanding projects you have worked on?
- Well, not too much. The current problems with the state of maintenance of condominiums are caused by lack of finance and the inefficacy of Serbian courts when it comes to collect fees. The new law will not change much to that!
eKapija: What is now, according to your estimation, demand for office space in capital?
- Currently, demand for new office space is quite solid. As the good office buildings have very low vacancy rates, some larger occupiers started to sign pre-lease agreements for future buildings. This is a good sign that the office market is in a healthy condition.
eKapija: What is the position of Serbia with respect to other countries in the region when it comes to real estate?
- Serbia’s real estate markets are very small compared to neighboring countries. The industry is focused mainly on Belgrade, while only smaller real estate investments happen in Novi Sad and other secondary cities. On the other hand, there is still potential for future development. And the path towards the EU will help to us to make another development step in the next 5-10 years.
eKapija: What locations for office space in Belgrade are particularly attractive for foreign and local companies?
- Multinationals do prefer New Belgrade. This is because the city center does not offer suitable office developments and the city infrastructure is not good enough in the old town.
eKapija: What is situation in other cities in Serbia like when it comes to office and residential part?
- Other Serbian cities are not so attractive for foreign investors. Residential and office developments are mostly carried out by Serbian developers. The only segment which works out fine in secondary cities are retail parks.
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