The Conference took place at the state-of-the-art facilities of The Ellinikon Experience Centre, with the participation of representatives from the British Embassy, numerous members of the Hellenic-British Chamber of Commerce, and RICS in Greece, senior executives active in the real estate and tourism investment sectors, as well as representatives from institutional bodies and the media.
In their opening speeches, Anna Kalliani, Greek President, and Kenny Evangelou, British President of the Hellenic-British Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the excellent prospects for increasing investment interest in the real estate and hospitality sectors, with a particular emphasis on cooperation with the United Kingdom. They also stressed the need to continue efforts to modernize the regulatory framework and eliminate bureaucratic obstacles, with the aim of facilitating investments through the adoption of new technologies and sustainable practices. The Presidents of the Hellenic-British Chamber of Commerce also emphasized that this annual event has now become an institution for the real estate sector, showcasing the significant contribution of both the Chamber and RICS in enhancing outward-looking strategies and attracting investments.
Adamantia Foka, President of the RICS Advisory Board in Greece, Member of the European World Regional Board of Greece and Cyprus, and Investment Director of Operational Real Estate at LAMDA Development, discussed the transformation of the real estate market in recent years, with the development of new sectors, an increase in internationalization, and direct foreign investments. However, she highlighted the need for structural reforms, addressing the low supply of real estate and infrastructure gaps, as well as creating products suitable for institutional investors. She then presented the RICS quarterly report on real estate market trends in Greece and globally (RICS Q4 2024 Global Commercial Property Monitor).
During the event, a brief greeting was given by Evita Souri, Head of the Commercial Section of the British Embassy in Athens.
In the main speeches of this year's event, international speakers Dominic Burke, Executive Director of CBRE Commercial Real Estate Valuation & Advisory Services, and Graham Hughes, Former President of CBRE International Valuations, pointed out: "The European commercial real estate market has stabilized in key sectors such as offices, retail, and industry, with several investors showing cautious optimism regarding better-quality properties for the second half of the year, although current geopolitical conditions could alter the existing situation. This year is marked by a significant trend of widening interest across various sectors, led by Private Equity groups, showing a shift from risk-taking to opportunities emerging in areas such as data centers, cold storage, and life sciences. This trend significantly addresses societal needs and is expected to continue in the near future."
The event was also honored by international guest speaker Tina Paillet, CEO of CIRCOTRADE and Former President of RICS, who emphasized: "The development of sustainable cities could be the answer to climate change. However, urban sustainability requires long-term, integrated planning, focusing on green infrastructure, innovation, and collaboration between the public and private sectors."
The event's program included three discussion panels, moderated by Adamantia Foka, President of the RICS Advisory Board in Greece, Nikos Chatzitsolis, Treasurer of the Hellenic-British Chamber of Commerce & President of AXIES S.A. – Member of CBRE's International Network, and Kenny Evangelou, British President of the Hellenic-British Chamber of Commerce. These panels featured senior executives from leading companies active in the domestic and international real estate and hospitality markets, who shared important insights based on their experience and expertise. It was noted that consumer preferences for "luxury" experiences (mixed-use projects, authenticity, immersion, emotional luxury), as well as the identification of opportunities in untapped segments of the market (limited service, economy), are driving investment strategies in the hospitality sector. Regarding specific real estate sectors, the importance of luxury residences for the Greek investment market was emphasized, along with the resilience of the office market in contrast to the prevailing atmosphere in Northern Europe and the USA. The sustainability of the development of the various uses of The Ellinikon was also discussed, as well as the significance of external factors that can influence the real estate market. Additionally, the importance for property owners and investors to properly assess transition risks due to climate change and physical climate risks was discussed, with references to how the British Net Zero Carbon Standard for Buildings, as well as RICS' Whole Life Carbon Assessment methodology, could be applied in Greece to reduce carbon emissions from buildings.
The international speaker Dr. Sotiris Tsolacos, Professor of Real Estate & Course Director MSc Real Estate Investment at Bayes Business School, addressed the prospects for innovation development and the alignment between the real estate market and technology in the new era of Proptech and Artificial Intelligence (AI). He emphasized that: "The use of artificial intelligence and its impact on the real estate sector is particularly evident, as it is now widely adopted to identify opportunities and optimize real estate portfolio structures. The application of AI in real estate valuation and its integration into existing valuation methodologies is considered essential for enhancing the accuracy of appraisals and transparency. It is also noteworthy that the incorporation of innovations, such as the securitization of real estate, can significantly contribute to improving the availability of market data in the valuation sector."
An interesting discussion followed between Dr. Sotiris Tsolacos and Tasos Kotzanastasis, Founder of 8G GROUP & Co-chair of the Technology & Real Estate Council, ULI EUROPE.
The organizers sincerely thank the conference's sponsor companies:
BHCC 80-YEARS ANNIVERSARY PLATINUM PARTNER 2025: LAMDA Development
GOLD SPONSORS: AKL Law Firm, KYRIAKIDES GEORGOPOULOS LAW FIRM
SILVER SPONSORS: ATRIA PROPERTY SERVICES S.A. and AXIES S.A., the CBRE Affiliates for Greece and Cyprus, ENTERPRISE GREECE, GEOAXIS PROPERTY & VALUATION SERVICES, HOTELLECT–HOTEL INVESTMENT ADVISORY, NOVA CONSTRUCTIONS, SOLUM PROPERTY SOLUTIONS IN ASSOCIATION WITH PRIME YIELD
BHCC SUPPORTERS: ACCOUNTING SOLUTIONS, KLC LAW FIRM, PwC Greece
The RE+D magazine also supported this year's event as a communication sponsor.
