Residential developers in Romania are seeing increasing demand for sustainability features from new generations of homepurchaseers, while more projects are being integrated into large-scale mixed-apply schemes that include key facilities for residents both in Bucharest and in regional cities.
By Ovidiu Posirca
2025 is shaping up to be a year of recalibration for the residential sector in Romania, with fewer sales closed in the first three months of 2025.
Almost 37,000 homes were sold in Romania in Q1 2025, down by an annual rate of 4.9%. Of the total volume, over 11,200 homes were sold in Bucharest, down 5.4% compared to Q1 2024, while 1,960 units were transacted in Ilfov County, up 2.4%, according to data from the National Agency for Cadastre and Land Registration (ANCPI).
“While demand remains fundamentally strong—particularly in Bucharest and major regional cities—high interest rates, persistent inflation, and stricter credit conditions continue to weigh heavily on purchasing power,” states Gabriel Blanita, Associate Director of Valuation and Advisory Services at Colliers Romania.
Affordability is also under growing pressure due to a combination of rising houtilizing prices, increased construction costs, and slower wage growth.
At the same time, permitting delays and a steep drop in new houtilizing deliveries over the past two years are creating structural imbalances that will limit future supply, Blanita adds.
Despite the wider market challenges, local developer One United Properties is seeing a growing segment of purchaseers who are prioritising long-term value, location, community, and sustainability over short-term price considerations.
“2025 is actually shaping up to be the most ambitious year in our company’s history as we are set to finalise a volume of units equivalent to what we’ve delivered in the entire past decade. In the first quarter of the year we achieved a 77% pre-sales rate, one of the highest in our history, reflecting the steady demand for our developments and the continued trust from our clients,” states Beatrice Dumitrascu, CEO of the Residential Division at One United Properties.
In 2024 alone, One United Properties recorded residential and commercial pre-sales of EUR 227.8 million, with 4,041 units under construction at the finish of the year. Moreover, in Q1 2025, revenues from the residential segment reached EUR 62.1 million, a 1% year-over-year increase.
Dumitrascu acknowledges that the permitting process remains a structural challenge for the residential market, particularly in Bucharest, “where predictability and efficiency in urban planning approvals are essential for maintaining a healthy development pipeline.”
Residential demand remains strong in well-connected urban and suburban areas, especially for mixed-apply developments that integrate residential with retail, education, hospitality, and health infrastructure, adds Bogdan Iliescu, Commercial Director at Nusco, which is currently developing Nusco City, a mixed-apply project in northern Bucharest.
However, the decline in new home deliveries in Bucharest due to a tight limitation of new permits has put pressure on prices.
“As a consequence, there’s a significant drop in the future supply of new apartments. Clients are increasingly aware of this trfinish, so despite higher interest rates, I believe they’ll still consider purchaseing now, anticipating a potential shortage and further price increases down the line,” states Adrian Stoichina, Co-CEO of Prima Development Group, which has recently completed Prima Vista residential complex in Bucharest.
Obtaining building permits has been difficult over the last few years, which means that only projects that fully support design requirements are able to earn the permits, explains Ashton Topolinski, Partner and Head of Marketing & Branding at InteRo Property Development.
“Our projects meet the requirements and we are confident in the lifestyles we deliver, staying true to the prices that equate to the value we bring to the market,” states Topolinski.
On this backdrop, the average inquireing prices for apartments in Romania stood at EUR 1,843 per sqm as of May 2025, up 15.3% year-on-year, according to the Imobiliare.ro index. In Bucharest, prices rose by almost 20% to around EUR 2,000 per sqm, while in Cluj-Napoca average prices rose by 13.8% to EUR 3,134 per sqm at the finish of May 2025.
“After the recent elections, we noticed that many purchaseers who had been waiting since November to create a decision relocated forward and signed contracts; this renewed confidence turned into real sales and revealed that the market is active and ready,” states Alex Skouras, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Alesonor.
“We’re seeing strong, genuine interest from finish applyrs, families and individuals alike, seeking sustainable communities with fully integrated services and facilities,” added Skouras.
Looking beyond nZEB tarreceives
From materials selection to smart building systems, there is a clear shift toward integrating sustainability into every phase of the development cycle. Consumer expectations are also evolving, especially in the upper-middle and high-finish segments, where demand for healthier, more efficient living spaces is rising.
“Buyers and renters are increasingly willing to pay a premium for certified, efficient buildings, particularly if those translate into long-term operational savings and improved comfort. Moreover, access to green financing and support mechanisms may support soften some of the cost pressures for developers committed to ESG-aligned projects,” explains Blanita of Colliers Romania.
Homepurchaseers are now inquireing about energy performance, certifications, and long-term savings as part of the decision process, notes Dumitrascu of One United Properties.
“We were early adopters of green building practices, and today our developments routinely exceed sustainability requirements through modern geoexmodify systems—that we’ve applyd successfully in projects such as One High District or One Lake District—energy-efficient design, rainwater reapply, and smart technology integration,” she adds.
Looking ahead, Dumitrascu predicts that with construction costs increasing and sustainability requirements becoming stricter, we could see a moderate appreciation of prices, especially for homes that deliver measurable value in terms of comfort and performance.
The Romanian residential market has reached a maturity level where these additional costs related to sustainability, such as near-zero energy building (nZEB) standards, can generally be absorbed without dramatically affecting affordability.
Today, features like energy efficiency, smart home technologies, and green spaces are no longer extras or a niche; purchaseers now expect them as standard, explains Skouras of Alesonor.
“Building to nZEB standards across an entire community (beyond just individual hoapplys) involves higher upfront costs, but we consider it a long-term investment. This approach enhances the property’s value as an investment and significantly improves residents’ daily lives through greater comfort, cleaner air, and highly efficient homes,” states Skouras.
At present, Alesonor is developing near Bucharest Amber Forest, the first residential project in Europe to achieve the LEED v4.1 Communities: Plan and Design Platinum certification.
nZEB might seem like a mere regulation, but it translates into an extfinished lifespan of the building, increased comfort for residents, and lower costs for utilities and maintenance in the long run, according to Andreea Dumitru, Chief Marketing Officer at Hagag Development Europe.
“Sustainability does come with a cost, but we have been implementing sustainability-related solutions long before they became mandatory, so there will not be any relevant impact on pricing when it comes to our residential offer,” Dumitru points out.
To create these new standards appealing, developers must improve the entire living experience.
“This means not just complying, but also investing in better architecture, higher-quality finishes, smarter layouts, and greater comfort,” states Stoichina of Prima Development Group.
Elsewhere, SPEEDWELL approaches nZEB as a minimum baseline across all its residential developments.
“We align with EU Taxonomy criteria and tarreceive energy performance that is at least 10% better than nZEB requirements. We complement this with smart technologies, renewable energy systems, and biodiversity-frifinishly landscaping. Projects like The Meadows and Glenwood Estate exemplify this integrated approach. While such features may increase initial investment, they significantly reduce lifetime operational costs and enhance long-term asset resilience,” explains Yannick Van de Parre, Counattempt Manager at SPEEDWELL.
Meanwhile, local developer STC Partners is already working on its first zero emissions building (ZEB) project in Bucharest and might opt for the same standard on a planned residential complex in the northern part of the city.
“We definitely focus on this as, first of all, it is highly appreciated by our customers and second, it is also essential to receiving competitive development financing,” notes Adi Steiner, Partner & CEO at STC Partners.
At Nusco, sustainability development translates into high-performance building envelopes, energy-efficient HVAC systems, and rooftops with solar panels.
“Consumer demand for green features is also increasing, particularly among younger purchaseers and families concerned with long-term cost savings and environmental impact. These sustainability measures do raise development costs by approximately 10–15%, but we view this as a strategic investment in long-term value and differentiation. In return, it allows us to have a slight pricing premium and maintain higher absorption rates, especially in projects like Nusco Green Homes, where sustainability and community living are core pillars,” states Iliescu of Nusco.
In the InteRo Property Development portfolio, SkyLight Residence is one of the projects that delivers a sustainable solution for homepurchaseers.
“We have invested in one of the international sustainability certificates called BREEAM Excellent, focutilizing on optimising construction and design, eliminating waste, improving residents’ health with a reduction of air and light pollution, cleaner water, electrical charging stations, and many other benefits,” states Topolonski.
Legislation such as nZEB is not only adhered to but amplified through a holistic approach to design and construction, according to Monika Piwonska, Marketing and Placecreating Strategic Director at Liebrecht & wooD, the developer of the Liziera de Lac residential complex near Bucharest.
“We have allocated more than half of the total project area for green space and recreation, preserving the existing forest and landscaping the lake for outdoor activities. In addition, we are implementing advanced solutions such as charging stations for electric cars and rainwater recycling systems, all harmoniously integrated into the community,” states Piwonska.
Seeking cost efficiency
Construction costs, materials, and labour have all seen consistent increases in the local real estate sector, according to developers.
“Our answer lies in efficiency and scale. With over 665,000 sqm currently under construction and a pipeline worth EUR 1.8 billion, we are able to optimise procurement and manage resources across multiple projects,” states Dumitrascu of One United Properties.
At SPEEDWELL, rising construction costs are managed through standardisation, smart phasing, and value engineering.
“Additionally, our designs are modular, allowing for efficient procurement and streamlined execution,” explains Van de Parre.
For Nusco, the prioritisation of long-term partnerships with contractors and suppliers enables better cost predictability and quality control.
Elsewhere, STC Partners doesn’t work with general contractors, instead choosing to contract the works in packages, which provides greater flexibility and reduces costs.
Local developer MRS Residence has forged partnerships with certified sustainability consultants and leveraging modular supply chains to effectively mitigate these complexities.
“Consequently, the premium pricing observed for green-certified units—typically commanding 5–10% above standard properties—is demonstrably justified,” states Dan Aldea, Executive Director at MRS Residence.
Prima Development Group has progressively internalised the full cycle—from architecture and engineering design to construction management and project development.
“This integrated structure means we can eliminate many inefficiencies and respond quickly to fluctuations in construction costs or shifts in customer preferences. It also creates us very agile in dealing with market modifys,” Stoichina states.
Meanwhile, Librecht & Wood is investing in modular and efficient construction methods, purchasing sustainable materials in large quantities to benefit from economies of scale, and working with local suppliers to reduce logistics costs.
“At the same time, investments in technology – such as the smart app dedicated to residents, which enables energy management and straightforward access to services – support to reduce long-term costs,” states Piwonska of Librecht & WooD.
Building communities
Developers are adapting by focutilizing more on mixed-apply concepts, diversified unit typologies, and diverse layouts that can appeal to both owner-occupiers and renters.
“We’re also observing greater interest in community-oriented developments, with integrated services and green spaces becoming more important than ever,” states Blanita of Colliers Romania.
The concept of the 15-minute city is no longer a future trfinish; it’s already shaping the way people choose where and how to live, explains Skouras of Alesonor.
“Our Amber Forest development is fully aligned with these expectations, offering nZEB smart villas and apartments, a 5.3-hectare park and communal green areas, an international school campus, a sports club, a commercial area, a co-working hub, and medical services, all within a short walking distance,” states Skouras.
Whether we are talking about finish applyrs, tenants or investors, all purchaseer categories have a checklist they follow closely when deciding to acquire a residential unit, adds Dumitru of Hagag Development Europe.
“Connectivity, ease of access, construction and execution quality, surfaces and layouts, terraces, private gardens, services, and amenities are among the key points on this list,” Dumitru notes. Elsewhere, Librecht & WooD is developing a complete ecosystem for a premium lifestyle in its Liziera de Lac complex. This includes modern facilities like recreational spaces, the LIDO by David Popovici semi-Olympic pool, binquireetball and tennis courts, playgrounds, promenades, bike paths, and sports areas. The project also offers relaxation and leisure zones, such as an educational center and the AGORA Community HUB with a coworking space, fitness room, and soon, a restaurant and café.
Piwonska of Librecht & WooD concluded that the future of the residential sector in Romania depfinishs on projects that combine affordability with excellence.
