BBJ: How is CTP progressing toward its 2030 goal of doubling its CEE portfolio? Are you on track to meet this target?
Ferenc Gondi: We are making substantial progress toward our ambitious goal of doubling CTP’s CEE portfolio to 20 million sqm by 2030. We remain on track in Hungary with a strategic expansion plan focused on Budapest and key regional markets. Currently, two-thirds of our Hungarian portfolio is concentrated in Budapest, reflecting the capital’s importance as a logistics hub. At the same time, we are actively broadening our regional presence to capture a greater market share. Our investment strategy prioritizes growth and sustainable returns, ensuring that our developments remain high-quality, future-proof assets for our clients. Furthermore, CTP Hungary now has a newly structured management team, laying the foundations of a strong and stable operation. Tímea Pekár returns to the company as CFO, bringing valuable experience and continuity to the financial leadership. At the same time, Titusz Paróczi has been promoted to construction director, taking over the coordination of construction processes and further strengthening CTP’s in-house capabilities.
BBJ: Given that Hungary accounts for a significant portion of the group’s total GLA, how has the expansion plan for Hungary evolved? What milestones have been reached recently, and what percentage of the total does the Hungarian portfolio make up in 2025?
FG: Hungary remains a cornerstone of CTP’s portfolio, and our expansion strategy has led to significant recent milestones. In 2024, we secured more than 320,000 sqm of leased space, demonstrating strong demand for our properties. Notable developments include major leases such as Tesco and our freshly announced project with Zoomlion in 2025. Beyond Budapest, we are strengthening our footprint by developing new regional parks in logistics hotspots, ensuring that CTP remains the market leader in Hungary. This year, our Hungarian portfolio will continue to represent a substantial share of CTP’s total GLA, with the opening of a new park, reinforcing our position as a key driver of the group’s overall growth. In addition, we will continue our expansion in strategically important locations such as Vecsés and Biatorbágy.
BBJ: Two Hungarian developments, Budapest West and Budapest East, are part of CTP’s “Top 10 Parks,” the heart of the CTPark portfolio, accounting for more than 40% of GLA. What makes these sites stand out and attract tenants?
FG: These parks stand out due to their ecosystem approach, prime locations, and the continuous availability of expansion options. They are designed to offer tenants high-quality, flexible spaces and a range of ESG-driven and community-focused amenities. This includes solar energy solutions, our so-called “Clubhaus” facilities [see separate box], extensive green areas, public transport connections, and on-site services. The parks are managed by dedicated in-house teams, ensuring a consistently high standard of service and adaptability to tenants’ evolving needs. By the end of the decade, Budapest West is set to become our largest logistics park, further solidifying its position as a central hub for CTP’s operations in Hungary.
BBJ: How does the trend of nearshoring or “friend-shoring” impact CTP’s investment plans in Hungary? Are you seeing increased interest from manufacturing clients looking to relocate or expand operations here?
FG: The trend is significantly impacting CTP’s investment strategy in Hungary. We are seeing increased interest from global manufacturing clients, particularly from China, looking to relocate or expand their European operations. A prime example is Zoomlion, a leading Chinese construction equipment manufacturer, which is establishing a presence in Hungary this year. This shift reflects this country’s growing role as a strategic nearshoring destination, supported by its central location, skilled workforce, and strong infrastructure. CTP is well-positioned to accommodate this demand with our high-quality industrial and logistics developments, reinforcing Hungary’s appeal as a prime location for international manufacturers.
BBJ: With tenants increasingly prioritizing ESG, how is CTP Hungary adapting its properties to meet these demands? What role does ESG play in your long-term strategy?
FG: ESG is at the core of CTP’s long-term strategy, and we continuously adapt our properties to meet the evolving sustainability expectations of our tenants. All new developments in Hungary are designed to achieve Breeam certification, ensuring high environmental performance. We integrate renewable energy solutions, such as large-scale solar panel installations, to enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprints. Additionally, our parks feature biodiversity-focused green spaces, sustainable water management systems, and community-oriented infrastructure, including Clubhaus facilities that foster collaboration and well-being among tenants.
Beyond property development, we are also committed to operational sustainability. Our in-house property management teams ensure that buildings are maintained to the highest efficiency standards, providing tenants with flexible, future-proof spaces supporting their own ESG goals. As a long-term owner and operator, CTP follows a “build-to-hold” model, allowing us to invest continuously in sustainability initiatives. By embedding ESG principles across our portfolio, we are responding to current market demands and future-proofing our parks to remain industry leaders in sustainable logistics and industrial real estate.
CTP is endeavoring to take its industrial parks to the next level by introducing its so-called “Clubhaus” community centers at select locations in the CTPark Network. Initially developed at CTPark Bor in the Czech Republic as a service center in 2017, the concept was formalized and rolled out as the first Clubhaus in 2020. Two years later, it was introduced to CTPark Bucharest West in Romania and CTPark Budapest West in Hungary.
The company says it is working to open new locations throughout the CTPark Network. Each Clubhaus is a modern, functional community center that offers free space to the park community for meetings, educational activities, and social gatherings. On-site amenities include a restaurant, bistro, convenience store, and space for a doctor’s clinic. The surroundings are landscaped, and the buildings are adjacent to outdoor sports facilities, making them a focal point for the park and the surrounding community.
This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of April 4, 2025.
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