Market strength on display in Budapest for CIJ Awards Hungary 2017

The CIJ Awards 2017 came to the Marriott Hotel Budapest on Nov. 22, with over 120 property professionals gathering to celebrate a return to strength for the Hungarian market. The exclusive gathering included the leading players and top management from the most powerful companies in the sector. At stake were not just the 14 prizes on offer, but as well a signal that Hungarian real estate assets and the companies that develop them have returned to the international stage. The congenial atmosphere amongst the guests throughout the evening demonstrated a confidence and professionalism that bodes well for the future.

The first prizes to be handed out after a sumptuous four-course dinner were for work in development over the past year. The Best Residential Concept prize was won by a newcomer to the CIJ Awards stage, Property Market, for its project BudaPart Homes Phase 1. In the commercial sectors, WING's CEO Noah Steinberg was called up to accept the prize for Best Office Developer of 2017 for his company's highly successful completions, while NIPÜF took home the Best Warehouse Development & Developer award for its BTS facility for Kühne + Nagel. Finally, CPI Property Group's acquisition of the CBRE GI retail portfolio earned it the votes of the Awards jurors for Investment Transaction of the Year. 

Two awards were handed out on the leasing front, the first going to GTC White House for the deal that's brought BlackRock to Budapest. Claiming the prize for GTC, CEO Robert Snow said the lease agreement had required an unbelievable amount of work from his team but called it an excellent signal for the future of the whole city. Meanwhile, Goodman's Istvan Kerekes made the trip to the stage for his company's impressive lease deal at Üllő Airport Logistics Centre.

In the Real Estate Teams & Leaders category, CBRE was called to the stage twice, first for Best Retail Power Broker Team and then again for the highly prized Best Capital Markets Team prize. Cushman & Wakefield didn't go home empty-handed, however. The Best Office Power Broker Team prize for 2017 was theirs, along with Best Property Management Company honors. And the presentation of a special achievement award for Leadership of the Year prize brought about a return to the stage for Noah Steinberg, from which he made a gracious acceptance speech.

Erste Bank was called to the stage for the second straight year as it was again judged by Hungary's property sector to be 2017's Best Bank. The highly-coveted Best Law Firm saw bragging rights go to CMS and the Best Facility Management Company proved to be Strabag Property and Facility Services.

CIJ Awards Hungary is organized by Roberts Publishing Media Group, the region's leading provider of property news and analysis through its magazine CIJ, encompassme.com and numerous digital outlets. Team Heart was the official Charity Partner for 2017, an initiative that raised over HUF 2 million.

CIJ Awards Hungary 2017 Winners List
RE Development, Developer & Transaction
• Best Residential Concept - BudaPart Homes Phase 1, Property Market
• Best Office Developer - WING
• Best Warehouse Development & Developer -  NIPÜF /BTS Kühne + Nagel
• Investment Transaction of the Year - CPI Property Group / CBRE GI retail portfolio
RE Teams & Leaders
• Best Office Power Broker Team - Cushman & Wakefield
• Best Retail Power Broker Team - CBRE
• Best Capital Markets Team - CBRE
• Leadership of the Year - Noah M. Steinberg
RE Services
• Best Bank - Erste Bank
• Best Law Firm - CMS
• Best Property Management Company - Cushman & Wakefield
• Best Facility Management Company - STRABAG Property and Facility Services
RE Lease
• Best Office Lease - GTC White House - BlackRock
• Best Warehouse Lease - Üllő Airport Logistics Centre - Goodman