Speaking from experience at the November 8th BalREC Investment and Real Estate Conference,”Smart Investments, Projects, Players,” Olga Stoichkova, leasing manager for Tishman International’s Sofia Airport Center (SAC), participated in a panel discussion on “Offices in Sofia,” providing a fresh perspective of what tenants with Westernized ideas want and expect, when looking for office space in Eastern Europe.
The discussion focused on the city’s rapidly growing office sector, which has been successful in attracting international companies locating in Eastern Europe and creating jobs.
SAC, Bulgaria’s first LEED-certified commercial development, set the bar high for office properties in the Eastern European region, with sustainable features that provide tenants a comfortable, healthy work environment with lower operating costs, as well as high-tech fiber optics infrastructure to support their business operations, onsite management, and Western European/American-style leasing incentives and amenities. Stoichkova suggested that Sofia Airport Center has an advantage in attracting Western tenants, because it provides features they have come to expect in Class A office space. As a result, SAC is home to a roster of prestigious international companies’ regional or national headquarters.
Developed by Tishman International Companies, a global leader in commercial real estate development and management, SAC consists of 180,000 square meters (1.8-million square feet) of office space, with underground parking, and 28,000 meters (301,489 square feet) of logistics and warehouse space, with offices, ample surface parking and state-of-the-art security and safety systems. Future plans call for additionally logistics/warehousing space and a high-quality, 175-room hotel with recreational, fine-dining and conference facilities.
SAC also introduced innovative, Western European/American-style management services, leasing incentives and amenities to Bulgaria and the region. Besides onsite management, Tishman offers new tenants a professionally designed area and furnishings for their multipurpose space at no additional charge, as part of the tenant fit-out [build-out] package. The company also established an onsite, fully equipped, Dance and Aerobics Studio at SAC, as well as retail amenities, including a four- star classic restaurant, café, cafeteria-style canteen, drycleaners, pharmacy and ATM machine.
The SAC site is showcased with lush landscaping and features a 5,000-square-meter (1.2 acre) park with a central lake, outdoor seating, a winter garden and walking trails amid clusters of trees offering tenants and visitors a pleasant, natural relaxation spot and recreational opportunities.
The BalREC conference was sponsored by Tishman International and Sofia Airport Center among others.
For more information about this program, held at the Sofia Kempisnki Hotel Zografski, visit http://www.balrec.bg/en/partners/
