H1 2016 was characterized by significant activity among investors on the investment land market, especially in the residential segment. This was confirmed by ASBUD Group's recent acquisition from Balmoral Properties of a 30,650 sq m land plot located between Warszawa Gdańska station and Arkadia shopping centre. The new owner plans to ultimately develop approx. 1,200 apartments on the purchased land. The transaction’s value is confidential.

Balmoral Properties was advised by the land advisory services team at JLL and JF Legal Jakubaszek & Fogo Sp.k. The buyer – ASBUD Group – was advised by Baker & McKenzie.

- The transaction of the Balmoral Properties plot was one of this year's biggest sale and acquisition deals involving investment land for residential developments. Furthermore, it also confirms the continued interest among investors in Poland's land market. Land plots for residential projects, followed by office projects, continue to be the main factors that fuel the market’s growth. - says Daniel Puchalski, Head of Land Advisory Services at JLL.

The dynamic development of the residential market encourages developers to search for investment land plots for residential projects in Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, Gdańsk, Łódź as well as Poznań. Interest in land plots for office developments also continues, especially in Kraków, Wrocław and Warsaw. Nevertheless, a limited supply of sufficiently prepared investment land has become a greater challenge for the market.

In H1 2016, the Land Advisory Services Department at JLL advised on sale and acquisition transactions of i.a. residential and office investment land worth a total of approx. 300 million PLN.

- The demand is so high that if JLL’s portfolio included more investment land plots, whose owners would be willing to sell, this result could be three times what it is at present. Our observations indicate that an appropriately prepared and located investment land plot for residential development does not have to wait longer than a few weeks before an investor starts an analysis. The money supply is high but the Polish market lacks appropriate products available for sale. - adds Daniel Puchalski.

Despite a limited supply of appropriately prepared land, JLL expects further transactions on plots for residential and office developments.

- Currently we are working on several sale and acquisition transactions on land plots for residential and office developments in Warsaw, Kraków and Wrocław as well as numerous smaller cities across Poland. These transactions are expected to close this year. - summarizes Daniel Puchalski.