The move towards developments based on BTS and pre-lease agreements, rather than speculative builds, is seen as enabling the development of logistics and industrial complexes in line with these complex and long-term tenant requirements.

“Across the board, tenants are seeking modern, cost-efficient, and sustainable facilities. Features such as high ceilings, ample dock doors, advanced fire protection, and flexible layouts top the list of requirements,” argues Máté Szoboszlay, business development and investment director at Faedra Group.

“Many also value location, seeking easy access to highways, public transportation, and major consumer markets. Sustainability credentials, including energy-efficient systems and the potential for on-site renewable energy, are increasingly playing a criticalrole in site selection,” he adds.

Demand remains structurally strong, driven by the region’s strategic location and competitive labor costs, in the view of Zsófia Korda, chief sales officer and general deputy of Wing Industrial.

“We see high-quality, BTS solutions increasingly sought by the hi-tech, automotive, electronics, and pharmaceutical sectors, while data centers and green energy integration emerge as key growth areas,” she says.

“Although geopolitical volatility remains a risk, it also drives a shift toward supply chain resilience and stockpiling, positioning flexible, high-quality logistics platforms as long-term winners in the new global era,” Korda argues.

There remains an essential differentiation between demands from the logistics and industrial sectors.

Reduced Costs

“Modern occupiers increasingly demand a direct link between sustainable building performance and measurable overhead reductions, prioritizing energy-efficient buildings that reduce operating costs,” Korda says.

“At the same time, technical requirements have emphasized adaptable layouts, automation-readiness, and strong IT infrastructure to support increasingly complex operations,” she says.

“While these needs apply across both sectors, logistics tenants place greater emphasis on layouts that maximize storage efficiency, high ceilings, and advanced distribution technology, whereas industrial tenants focus more on production-oriented infrastructure such as higher utility capacity, specialized equipment space, and flexible manufacturing layouts,” Korda adds.

Demand is increasingly segmented by the specific function, according to Balázs Czifra, director of sales, asset management and business at Innovinia.

“Greater Budapest remains the primary center for FMCG distribution and e-commerce, leveraging its role as the country’s largest consumer base. Meanwhile, we observe a steady growth in demand across regional hubs. These regional locations are becoming the preferred choice for new, large-capacity production companies looking to establish their manufacturing bases,” he says.

“At Innovinia, we see that while the capital offers volume and proximity, regional hubs provide the necessary scale and labor pools essential for long-term industrial operations, making them a key component of our development strategy. Our current occupiers, predominantly from the high-tech sectors, increasingly demand high-load technical specifications and energy autonomy, such as solar PV readiness,” Czifra notes.

“Modern tenants increasingly demand operational efficiency and scalability, but technical priorities diverge based on their core activity. For logistics operators, the focus remains on ‘flow,’ requiring superior loading dock ratios, high floor-load capacities, and seamless integration into international supply chain networks to ensure rapid inventory turnover,” he explains.

Bridging Needs

“In contrast, industrial and manufacturing tenants prioritize ‘infrastructure,’ specifically high electrical power capacity, specialized ventilation systems, and pre-prepared, customized production areas tailored to their specific technical processes. At Innovinia, we bridge these needs by ensuring all our facilities meet high ESG and well-being standards, which are now essential for attracting and retaining a skilled workforce in both sectors,” Czifra adds.

For developer CTP, sustainability remains a core element of its long-term ownership model, not a compliance exercise.

“The company continues to embed ESG principles into development, asset management and tenant cooperation, supported by initiatives such as green lease clauses and expanded renewable energy generation across its parks,” comments Ferenc Gondi, managing director of CTP Hungary.

A high level of green building certification has become a requirement for industrial properties, and high certification levels are an advantage for attracting international tenants. Further, one of the key requirements is now the need for better data for reporting purposes. ESG has therefore shifted from corporate rhetoric to a measurable KPI, directly shaping tenant demand for energy efficiency, according to Wing’s Korda.

“BREEAM-certified spaces deliver tangible OPEX [operational expense] savings. In response, our development strategy, aligned with the EU taxonomy, integrates renewable energy and future-proof park design as core economic interests. This approach ensures long-term asset liquidity and risk mitigation, while high-quality amenities and strategic locations are now essential to meet the sophisticated expectations of both tenants and financiers,” she notes.

“ESG-related investments typically require an upfront financial commitment from the developer or landlord, covering design and construction elements such as energy-efficient systems, upgraded insulation, or renewable energy installations,” comments Lóránd Gárdonyi, real estate and consumer experience director at Prologis.

“However, these improvements often yield cost savings and operational efficiencies over time, benefiting tenants through reduced utility bills and enhanced working environments. As landlords, we invest in energy-efficient designs and renewable energy solutions, but customers also contribute, particularly when requesting specialized sustainability features,” Gárdonyi concludes.

This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of April 10, 2026.