Demand for commercial space in residential complexes is growing, with rental rates almost back to pre-war levels, Intergal-Bud’s commercial director Anna Laevska told Interfax-Ukraine.
“Today, the demand for commercial space in residential complexes is growing rapidly. This is especially true for shops, supermarkets, services, educational institutions – schools, kindergartens. Operators are actively expanding, entering new premises, and in general, this segment is developing even better than the apartment market,” said Laevska.
According to her, the developer retains in its own rental stock premises with a payback period of up to 12 years. If it is longer, they are usually sold, and the developer offers flexible payment terms, loyalty programs for those who pay the full amount at once, and installment options.
Investors are interested in commercial premises at different stages: both at the excavation stage and when the facility is ready. It all depends on the location and payment terms. As for the area, supermarkets are usually looking for 800 to 1500 square meters, cafes or coffee shops – up to 100 square meters, private clinics can be 150-300 square meters. Smaller premises sell faster because of their lower cost.
“We always take a targeted approach to the choice of residents. We want the complex to include a pharmacy, a clinic, a grocery operator, educational institutions, and services. In other words, we are creating a complete infrastructure. If, for example, there is a grocery store, we offer the rest of the premises to a business that will meet another need of the residents,” she said.
According to her, rental rates have almost returned to the pre-war level, but it all depends on the specific object, its location, traffic, and functionality. In residential complexes with high occupancy, the price may be even higher due to the large flow of people and cars.
All commercial lots take into account the requirements for inclusiveness, energy efficiency and security.
In particular, all premises have either an entrance from ground level or a ramp with the correct angle. Generators provide backup power for all premises, although this is not always critical for commercial facilities, as they are usually located on the ground floor. Tenants are now actively buying out storerooms in basements and equipping individual shelters for their employees, so these premises are now used not only as warehouses but also as protective zones.
Intergal-Bud has been operating in the residential real estate market since 2003. The company’s portfolio includes 184 projects. In 2024, almost 358.5 thousand square meters of real estate were built and put into operation, which corresponds to 3.8 thousand apartments in 20 buildings.
According to Opendatabot, revenue for 2023 amounted to UAH 959.2 million, with a net loss of UAH 22.9 million. For the three quarters of 2024, revenue amounted to UAH 636.4 million, net loss – UAH 51 million 457 thousand.
