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In parallel, we are focusing on apartment sales in our newest project, Astorium Life.

The first two buildings in Astorium Life will be completed and delivered this year, so we are directing much of our effort toward this project.

For our next developments, our focus remains on the concept—not just the construction: we want to offer a complete living experience, adapted to the modern lifestyle.

For the time being, we are not considering expanding to other cities in the country; instead, we will continue our projects in Bucharest and the surrounding areas.

Two months ago, you said that in 2025 “it won’t be that fewer units will be sold, but rather projects of higher quality will be sold.” Given the market evolution in the first months of the year, do you believe this forecast is being confirmed so far?

Yes, what we’ve seen so far confirms this direction. We see an increasingly clear interest in projects with higher construction standards, coherent architecture, and well-designed amenities. The market is becoming more selective and better informed, and buyers are paying closer attention to details and long-term value.

In this context, developers who invest in quality—not just in square meters—are becoming more relevant and competitive. Leisure amenities and on-site commercial spaces play a very important role. People are busy and don’t want to sit in traffic to go shopping or to a park. At the same time, many people work partially remote and don’t come home only to sleep.

Welcome to Bucharest, Coffee in the Veins!

No time wasted. The flat white was ordered, along with a matcha latte—which a smiling barista, the kind who makes your day better even when you’re bracing for a rough day at work, suggests making iced, with milk foam. Two things I usually enjoyed separately, and loved—but combined and infused with matcha, they become a creamy summer dream.

While you wait for the drinks, you admire the beautiful paintings on the walls—a small art gallery that instantly makes you open Booking to reserve a summer stay near the beach. (You go online, see how much a week in Greece costs this year, and quickly close it.)

What is the concept around which ASTORIUM shapes its projects, and how do you stay true to your values?

The Astorium concept is based on the desire to redefine the idea of “home”—not just as a physical place, but as an extended space where you want to spend most of your time, where you relax and grow alongside a community of people similar to you.

In the hustle and bustle of the city, people’s biggest wish is to enjoy peace and quiet, green spaces, places to unwind, and a safe environment for their families. In Astorium complexes, we offer more than just a living space; we’re talking about playgrounds, relaxation areas, or even private gardens and a swimming pool in Astorium Garden.

We build responsibly, respecting premium-quality principles and integrating modern design in balance with the surrounding environment. We want every ASTORIUM home to be a refuge—a place where people feel inspired, safe, and truly at home. Our core values are trust, respect, and community. We remain loyal to these values because we don’t necessarily want to build more—we want to build better.

How do you expect 2025 to look from a real estate perspective?

There is talk that rising prices will lead residents to rethink their lifestyle, including choosing to rent. Is this a form of “globalization,” given that most countries have a much higher share of renters than owners?

Indeed, fear of financial instability and younger generations’ desire for flexibility could encourage renting. However, the premium residential segment will continue to attract investors and buyers who focus on quality, long-term value, and strategic positioning. It won’t be that fewer units will be sold, but rather projects of higher quality will be sold. Recent surveys, such as those conducted by Eurostat, showed purchase intentions at nearly record levels.

At the same time, limited supply—caused by a slower construction pace and delivery delays—creates significant opportunities for developers who can deliver premium homes, offering a competitive price–quality ratio and reliable delivery timelines.

In addition, the growth in rentals is an opportunity for those who choose to invest in real estate. The Pallady area, which is developing rapidly, has significant potential for property value growth, both for resale and for renting. With average returns of 15–20% on completed apartments, Astorium apartments are a very good choice for those seeking long-term value.

The development of the Pallady area will attract new jobs, which will also generate increased demand for rental housing. Well-positioned premium apartments will meet tenants’ requirements.

Can we talk about fair competition at this moment?

In a dynamic sector like real estate, competition is an essential driver of innovation and improvement. We remain competitive by keeping our promises to clients and delivering higher-quality projects. We believe in transparent collaboration with all market partners, in order to raise the industry’s overall standards.

“Astorium Garden” – your passion project, as you describe it. The name itself makes us think of nature, fresh air, and that “home” concept. Where can we still find nature and clean air in the capital?

How do you view Romania’s residential market right now? What does demand look like? And supply?

It is clearly a declining market, with excess supply and weak demand. Perhaps it isn’t felt as strongly in Bucharest, where the overall decrease was only 6% compared to last year, but it’s a deterioration process that, unfortunately, is accelerating toward the end of the year.

Depending on the area and the apartment typology, there are zones that have seen declines of up to 30% this quarter. The main cause is the spillover effects of the war in Ukraine, which has brought financial instability, inflation that has eroded people’s monetary reserves, and higher borrowing costs. People are scared and no longer make rational decisions; they prefer to rent for a while until things become clearer, although in many ways this could be the best time for a real estate purchase—VAT is still 5%, supply is high and demand is low, and developers are under pressure to sell because they feel the impact too, so there is potential for good deals.

Moreover, buying an apartment is a very good way to protect financial reserves against inflation. After all, what’s the point of letting money lose value in an account when you can turn it into a useful investment?

What do buyers expect? How have their requirements changed in recent years?

I think the stage where it was enough to build something and simply sell it based on standard parameters—or relying only on location—is coming to an end. There is enough supply on the market to allow potential buyers to add extra criteria to the package on which they build their shortlist.

Until now, we talked about educated, discerning buyers mostly in the luxury segment, but we are increasingly seeing a trend toward premiumization in the other market segments as well.

We more and more often see young buyers who are purchasing not just an apartment, but a lifestyle and a neighborhood model—buyers for whom good quality means more than finishes and aesthetics. It means functional design, additional services, more and more resource sharing, and, very importantly, a strong and sustainable community ethos and model that can grow.