AEW, acting on behalf of a German separate account, has acquired two historic, mixed-use properties on Andrassy Avenue in Budapest, Hungary. The neo-Renaissance buildings, which were comprehensively refurbished in 2001, together provide circa 7,800m² of lettable retail and office space. The properties are in a prime location on the southern section of Andrassy Avenue, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Budapest’s main shopping streets which is home to a range of international high street retail brands. The purchase price was not disclosed.
Andrassy 11 is fully let, with Michael Kors occupying the retail on the ground floor whilst Andrassy 12 is partially let with Hogl, an Austrian shoe brand, and Miniversum, a local railway museum, occupying the ground floor units. The property offers a number of asset management opportunities to increase the occupancy of the office space and grow rents across the building.
Nikos Koulouras, AEW’s Co-Head of Investments, commented: “This acquisition provides our client with access to a high-quality investment that provides scope for value creation through active asset management. These historic buildings are in a prime location in a city which boasts a growing economy and has recorded strong retail sales, underpinning the future opportunity for these assets. We retain a strong interest in the Hungarian real estate market, which continues to offer attractive investment opportunities, and are committed to broadening our wider portfolio in this market.”
Lars-Henning Pylla, Fund Manager at AEW, said: “Andrassy Avenue is one of Budapest’s most iconic streets and this transaction presents a rare opportunity to acquire two properties with historic significance. The high profile location of these properties and its desirability to tenants were compelling attributes for this mandate’s first acquisition in Hungary and we are pleased to add another CEE growth market to this portfolio.”
