In 2023, Ghelamco, a leading force in Poland's commercial real estate sector, navigated challenges and celebrated milestones. Last year saw the completion of two regional office projects – KREO in Kraków and Craft in Katowice – alongside the ongoing construction of The Bridge and VIBE, two modern and eco-friendly office buildings in Warsaw. Notably, Ghelamco concluded 2023 with a significant real estate transaction involving the sale of The Warsaw HUB's hotel tower and successful commercialization of VIBE's office space.

Leadership Changes and Expansion in Poland April 2023 witnessed leadership shifts at Ghelamco's Polish entities. Jarosław Zagórski, a 17-year veteran of the Belgian developer, assumed the role of Managing Director, while founder Paul Gheysens took over as President of the Management Board. The board was further strengthened with the addition of Michael Gheysens, Marie-Julie Gheysens, Chris Heggerick, and Rafał Gierczak.

Regional Finalization and Innovation Ghelamco delivered over 50,000 sq m of top-tier office space in regional markets during 2023. Notably, KREO in Krakow and Craft in Katowice became the first SmartScore-certified office buildings in Central and Eastern Europe. WiredScore certification for technological advancement further highlighted Ghelamco's commitment to intelligent solutions.

Flagship Developments in Warsaw Focusing on Warsaw, Ghelamco's strategic investments centered around The Bridge skyscraper, set to be Poland's tallest, and the VIBE office complex. The Bridge, reaching 174 meters in height, emphasizes ecological and technological superiority, earning platinum-level certifications in SmartScore and WiredScore, as well as WELL, BREEAM, Green Building Standard, and "Object without barriers" systems. VIBE, with its unique musical DNA and advanced energy management system, is nearing completion.

Hotel Tower Sale and New Lease Agreements December 2023 marked the successful sale of The Warsaw HUB's tower to the French fund Corum XL, a significant transaction in the Polish real estate market. Ghelamco also secured numerous lease agreements, expanding the Warsaw UNIT tenant roster and finalizing agreements for 2/3 of the VIBE building still under construction.

Residential Success and ESG Commitment Ghelamco's residential endeavors thrived in 2023, with completed sales in Foksal 13/15 and ongoing developments in Close Piaseczno and Groen Konstancin. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues remained at the forefront of Ghelamco's strategy, with the company joining international initiatives like Science Based Targets (SBTi) and the Climate Partnership program.

Sustainable Landmark: Warsaw UNIT Warsaw UNIT, Ghelamco's modern skyscraper, achieved several milestones in 2023, becoming the first in Poland to secure WELL Core certification at the Platinum level. With a strong focus on sustainability, the skyscraper boasts green BREEAM certification, advanced energy management, and 100% clean electricity usage.

Awards and Recognition Ghelamco's outstanding contributions in 2023 were acknowledged through various awards, including the CEE Investment Award, PLGBC Green Building Award, Innovation Leader of the Year, Golden Compass, Energy Transformation Leader, and WiredScore Portfolio, showcasing the company's excellence and innovation across different domains. The Golden Clip was awarded for VIBE's unique communication using musical DNA.

Source: ghelamco