Arete

ARETE Industrical Sicav is the Best Real Estate Property Fund in the Czech Republic

ARETE INDUSTRICAL SICAV is the Best Real Estate Property Fund in the Czech Republic! ???? During Thursday’s gala evening in Prague, we received the Best Real Estate Property Fund award at the prestigious CIJ Awards! We are very happy to have been recognized at the 21st CIJ Awards Czech Republic. After the success of the CIJ Awards in Slovakia, this is another very encouraging news. We have always been and will always be a group focused on the Central European region, which is a matter of the heart for all of us. Both parts of our team, the one in the Czech Republic and the one in Slovakia, have been doing a great job for a long time and the award at the CIJ Awards is proof of this for us. At the same time, we are the only real estate fund in the Czech Republic and Slovakia where we have already closed two funds in closed-end investment cycles, and with the third fund, we are still managing to be not only the strongest performing product of this type on the market. We will continue to work hard in the years to come also thanks to these awards. Whether it be acquisitions, portfolio management, or looking after our investors, without whose contribution we could not exist. Furthermore, we will continue to work to develop the national economies in our operating countries and, with the help of logistics and investment in industrial real estate, to provide skilled labor to regions where there is a shortage today. In addition, we will focus even more on developing activities based on the ESG principles that enable us to manage our portfolio efficiently and sustainably. The jury also praised our investment strategy, which is the backbone of the entire ARETE Group. The expertise of the team, the preference for closed investment cycles, the active approach to the management of the portfolio, the in-house development activities, and other aspects are just a few pieces of the mosaic that makes up ARETE. However, these are the qualities that allow us to beat inflation and bring a fund with exceptional performance to the market in a very challenging time. We can promise to do our utmost to replicate these successes in the future. With the support of our investors, partners, suppliers, and advisers, we can do it. We are grateful for the excellent organization of the evening by CIJ EUROPE. We greatly appreciate the award and look forward to the next year.

how to invest like billionaires?

Our colleague Dr. Josef Vojta was a guest of Televízia TA3 in the program Investujeme (Investing). He has discussed with Lenka Buchláková the topic of how to invest like billionaires. ???? Did you know that 90 % of billionaires got wealthy by owning real estate? ???? Unfortunately, traditional portfolios consisting of stocks and bonds can hardly help you beat inflation and provide an interesting passive income. ???? That’s where real estate and real estate funds come in. For qualified investors, ARETE real estate funds. If you are interested in the topic, you can find here: 

We Have Started The Construction Of A Modern Industrial Park In The Vicinity Of Trenčín, Slovakia

ARETE Group’s third fund focused on attractive and stable industrial and logistics assets in the CEE region has started construction of a modern industrial park near the city of Trenčín, Slovakia. The total value of the transaction is 7.5 million EUR (equivalent to more than 180 million CZK).   The tenant of the planned complex will be the company Linde Material Handling group. The firm specializes in the sale, service and rental of handling equipment, storage racking solutions and warehouse automation. It has been operating in Slovakia since 1993. The planned facility will be in close distance to Trenčín, which is one of the major traffic hubs in the region. The total planned area of the development is more than fifteen thousand square meters. At the same time, the complex has room for further expansion on an area of several thousand square meters. “Overall, this is our fifth acquisition within the ARETE INDUSTRIAL fund in Slovakia. Trenčín is one of the economic centres of Slovakia and thanks to its location it has the potential to play an even more significant role within the country. We are delighted to be strengthening our position in the Slovak market, which has long been a very attractive destination for us in the context of the Central European region,” explained Robert Ides, the second co-founder of ARETE Group, about the transaction. “An important stabilizing element of the entire project is the signed long-term lease agreement with a creditworthy tenant that has been operating on the Slovak market for several decades. At the same time, the planned facility will meet all parameters according to the ESG principles,” Ides added about the transaction. “From the perspective of a tenant, we genuienly appreciate that the developer and owner of the industrial park is a fund from the ARETE group. We are impressed by the high expertise of the ARETE team and the vision with which it wants to manage the property and further develop the site. Our business interests in Slovakia are long-term and the background is extremely important for us given the continuously expanding market potential,” said Linde Material Handling group on the start of the development.

We have completed the acquisition of a logistics park in Slovakia

We have completed the acquisition of a logistics park near Dunajská Streda in Slovakia from GENA LOGISTIK. Transport and logistics company BSK Transports, part of the international Bracchi Group remains in the park as the tenant. The total value of the transaction was EUR 20 million (approximately half a billion Czech crowns).   The facility of almost thirty thousand square metres is located near Dunajská Streda. BSK Transports from the Italian group Bracchi, which has been operating in Slovakia for a long time, remains as a tenant at the site. “This is our fourth acquisition in Slovakia within the ARETE INDUSTRIAL fund. The purchased site near Dunajská Streda fits exactly into the already managed Slovak industrial parks in Beluša, Vráble and Kežmarok. Today we manage a total of eight sites. Seven of them are completed and already leased and the eighth complex in Rokycany is under intensive construction,” Lubor Svoboda, co-founder of ARETE Group, summarizes the fund’s portfolio status after the acquisition. “We are very pleased to continue to cooperate with the tenant operating in the area. The logistics company BSK Transports has been operating in Slovakia for more than ten years. Highly credible tenant adds stability to the whole investment. Good connection to the highway network and the immediate proximity to the industrial center of Dunajská Streda highlights attractiveness of our investment. At the same time, the site includes a large development plot, which opens the possibility of further construction,” says Robert Ides, the second co-founder of the ARETE Group, about the future of the site.

We have been nominated for the CIJ Awards

We were very pleased to hear that we are nominated in the Best Asset Management Company category for the Czech Republic at the CIJ Awards. CIJ AWARDS is a competition that has been recognizing the best commercial property owners for more than two decades. “The ARETE Group has developed and implemented a unique approach to managing real estate investments that multiplies the positive effects resulting from value-adding activities at each stage of the investment cycle – not only in terms of acquisitions and sourcing, active management during the holding period but also in the implementation of the exit strategy and final settlement.” We are very delighted with this acknowledgment! The nomination is the result of the hard work of the entire team and a forward-looking and clearly defined investment strategy that has already put many a smile on the faces of our satisfied investors.

The future of alternative investments belongs to industrial parks

Alternative investments are an increasingly attractive topic for qualified investors. But what is worth investing the saved funds in? Wine? Antiques? Cryptocurrencies? All have their own drawbacks. But what about industrial parks? Dr. Josef Vojta wrote about their importance as an attractive alternative investment in the Slovak magazine TREND.sk.

CEDEM conference 2022

Our colleague, ARETE co-founder Robert Ides was one of the main panellists of the 23rd CEDEM conference, which set itself the goal of evaluating current market opportunities and threats in the real estate market. The discussion focused on the topics of interest rates, inflation, energy prices, the pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine in the context of the future development of the real estate segment in the CEE region.

Industrial real estate is still considered one of the best investments. Lubor Svoboda in the program Biznis on Televízia TA3

Industrial real estate is still considered one of the best investments. Why do experts talk about them as the most stable investments and how does today’s uncertain times and inflation affect this business? You will learn not only just mentioned but also many other interesting information in the profile interview of Lubor Svoboda with Katrin Lengyelová in the program Biznis on Televízia TA3.

We Support Social Projects

ARETE Group and DB Schenker are not only cooperating on a business level, but also jointly supporting social projects in their local area. In a current project, in cooperation with Tomas Slavata, we have succeeded in making the life of children from the children’s Home in the UA Vinnycja more pleasant. Due to the war, the children have a temporary home in Liberec, and together we organised their transportation to a sports weekend in Nova Ves near Bečov nad Teplou. We hope that they forgot the worries of everyday life for a while and enjoyed a pleasant weekend.

Josef Vojta

Josef joined ARETE in 2019. As Distributions Director, he oversees the development of a portfolio of distributors as well as qualified investors of the Group's funds in the Czech Republic and the CEE region. Josef has more than 18 years of professional experience in real estate and investments in the CEE region. Before joining ARETE, he was Managing Partner at Licehamr Partners Group and previously served as Executive Director at Licehamr Development. He is actively engaged in publishing and academic activities. Josef holds a PhD from the University of Economics in Prague.

 

Martin Pacovsky

Is the Chief Investment Officer at ARETE for our energy transition strategy, with extensive experience in managing and developing energy assets, focused on advancing carbon-neutral strategies. With a strong track record in strategic planning and international market expansion, Martin has successfully led organizations through complex M&A processes, including guiding Pražská Plynárenská a.s. through the 2022 energy crisis as Chairman of the Board. His expertise encompasses risk management and stakeholder engagement.

Previously, Martin held senior roles at ČEZ Group, where he contributed significantly to renewable energy projects and international growth, such as overseeing the construction of Romania's largest onshore wind farm.

Martin holds an MSc from the University of Economics in Prague and an MBA from the Rochester Institute of Technology.

 

Martin Konecny

Serves as the company’s CFO, bringing a robust background in finance and economics, with extensive international experience. At ARETE, Martin is responsible for reporting and controlling on corporate and fund level for all entities in the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia.

Martin has over 30 years of experience, and a proven track record in corporate finance, operations, M&A, and portfolio management. Before joining ARETE, Martin served as a Group Head of Risks and Operations at P3 Logistics Parks, a logistics real estate investment manager with more than 3 billion AuM. His career includes 4 years as Country CFO at Citi Czech Republic and 15 years at KPMG, overseeing audits and compliance investigations.

Martin holds a Master’s degree in Economics, Finance and Trade from the Prague University of Economics and Business as well as an Executive MBA from the University of Bristol.

Robert Ides

Robert Ides, Co-Founder, is the Managing Partner of Arete Group. He was part of the founding team in 2014 and has over 25 years of advisory experience. He oversees company strategy, both real estate and energy infrastructure asset classes. Under his leadership, the company has successfully divested two real estate funds, delivering outstanding returns to its clients. Prior to founding the company, Robert held several leadership positions focusing on complex international mergers, acquisitions, and strategic projects. Among others, he served in executive roles at AIG and Zurich Insurance Group.

Robert is an experienced M&A professional and studied in Prague.

 

Miroslav Barnas

is the Chief Investment Officer at ARETE for our real estate strategy. He set up the investment management team and oversees deal sourcing, investment management and execution for the ARETE INDUSTRIAL FUND.

With over 20 years of professional track record in commercial and residential real estate, Miroslav is a seasoned executive with experience in advising corporate clients and private individuals on investment, valuation, leasing, negotiations, construction, and facility management of commercial properties in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Miroslav has led major transactions exceeding €1 billion. His leadership roles include CEO and Head of Capital Markets at Jones Lang LaSalle.

Miroslav is an MRICS professional and holds a Master’s degree from the University of Economics in Bratislava.

Alica Koblovska

Serves as the Chief Legal Officer at ARETE, bringing over a decade of extensive legal expertise in corporate finance, M&A, and compliance. She oversees the entire legal agenda of ARETE and acts as a key strategic advisor, overseeing compliance for our complex fund structures.

Alica has held significant legal roles, including the position of General Counsel at Bakala Capital, where she managed legal affairs for Zdenek Bakala, a leading family office. Before this, she worked as a layer with Kocian Solc Balastik in Prague.

Alica holds a Master’s degree in Law from Masaryk University in Brno with international exposure at Paul Cezanne University.

 

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    Lubor Svoboda

    Lubor has 25 years of experience leading real estate and private equity companies as a CEO, managing successful business transactions and legal restructurings in financial and highly regulated environments. Over the past ten years, Lubor has focused on fund management and strategic planning. He holds a Master’s degree in Law from Masaryk University in Brno and an MBA from the Prague International Business School.