When it comes to the construction of multi-purpose city centre builds, Hungarian-based TriGranit has mastered the art. Having developed many major greenfield projects that are now certified BREEAM Excellent, the company is now re-developing its first building owned by another company. CEO Tomasz Lisiecki, Leasing Director, Hungary, Károly Dömötör Makk and Board Member & Real Estate Development Director of DRFG Jan Pelíšek divulged on the journey, during an in-depth interview with Imogen Ward.
Ever since it was established back in 1997, premier real estate development platform TriGranit has gone on to implement many major projects across Central and Eastern Europe. Maintaining a strong focus on
Leasing Director, Hungary, Károly Dömötör Makk
creating out-of-this-world, sustainable spaces, the company has developed over 50 projects across seven countries, which incorporate office buildings, retail centres and even residential lots.
CEO, Tomasz Lisiecki
Board Member, TriGranit, Jan Pelíšek
“Although TriGranit was originally established to build modern shopping centres in Central and Eastern Europe, the company quickly evolved, taking on a number of major urban regeneration developments and turning them into multi-purpose spaces,” explained CEO Tomasz Lisiecki.
Going green in Budapest
One of the most prominent and high-profile projects taken on by TriGranit is the Millennium Gardens. Situated on the bank of the Danube in Budapest, this 37,200-square-metre office building features 11 floors of certified BREEAM excellence.
“We built Millennium Gardens from the ground up, integrating a diverse range of sustainable and energy-efficient solutions to meet the strictest of green standards,” said Leasing Director, Hungary, Károly Dömötör Makk. “The results have earned us BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and Access4You ‘Gold’ certifications, along with several awards that we are incredibly proud of.”
Having dedicated almost 30 years to this impressive example of craftmanship, TriGranit was incredibly grateful for the recognition of Best Office Development of the Year at the 2024 CIJ Awards, which highlighted both the company’s stellar construction and the
incredible work of the internationally recognised architecture firm that it partnered with to make this build a possibility.
“Whenever an international body recognises development within Hungary, it’s a big deal,” continued Mr Dömötör Makk. “And of course, there is always fierce competition to contend with in the Hungarian market, which makes this recognition all the more special. It is also recognition of the unique design of the
building too, which features huge terraces that create natural shading, exceptional glass fenestration, water irrigation systems and spacious green spaces that promote a healthy work-life balance.”
The building also incorporates energy-efficient climate control, which is monitored and optimised by its own advanced Building Management System – making it a true marvel of modern energy efficiency. Although astounding, this build is just one of many constructed by TriGranit, and with a running total of more than two million square metres of developed space (equating to a value of €2.5 billion), there is a lot of ground to cover.
Sustainable success in Kraków
One of TriGranit’s more recent accomplishments comes in the form of B4B business park in Kraków. Labelled a landmark office development, and sitting at a whopping 100,000 square metres, this project is currently the largest of its kind in the city.
This development, which was designed for mixed use, consists of eight different buildings that were successfully converted from an industrial brownfield site to retail, office and community spaces. Just like Millennium Gardens, this business park’s design was also driven by sustainability and underwent €2 million in environmental works to ensure it met BREEAM standards and successfully convert it into a Polish paradise.
The build also features almost 6,000 square metres of green area known as B4B Oasis, which provides open space where business and leisure can align.
“The development of B4B began back in 2003, when we purchased a former chemical plant,” revealed Mr Lisiecki. “This was a huge undertaking for us, and at one point it became the largest environmental reclamation project in Central Eastern Europe. Initial development
was focused on Bonarka City Center, a major shopping mall situated adjacent to the B4B park, before we moved on to constructing eight office buildings over the course of 15 years.”
Featuring around 270 stores, 20 restaurants and a 20-screen cinema, Bonarka City Center is a crucial element of the B4B complex, which neatly ties the park’s business and leisure elements together.
“In line with the BREEAM certification, we only utilised legally harvested and traded timber, we also completed due diligence when it came to selecting subcontractors, relying solely on BREEAM certified companies to see the project through,” explained Mr Dömötör Makk. “Overall, it is a significantly lengthy process to be able to meet all the environmental needs; one that we take very seriously.”
Collaborating in Warsaw
After many years of solo development, TriGranit began exploring new opportunities thanks to a significant shift in corporate structure.
Over the years, TriGranit has been owned by several different groups, from TPG Real Estate in 2015, to the more recent Revetas Capital which acquired the real estate development platform back in 2018. It was not until 2024, however, that the company would be taken over by an investment group with a big vision.
“DRFG acquired TriGranit in 2024 for several reasons: the company’s excellent references, its long-standing history, and its amazing team,” revealed Board Member & Real Estate Development of DRFG Jan Pelíšek. “
As an investment company which had previously focused on buying and managing assets, and is now moving into development, having a reliable partner like TriGranit was very important to us. So, we joined hands with
TriGranit and intend for the company to take over development of all our future projects.”
With the transition running smoothly, the two companies have already begun working together on their first project: the redevelopment of an office building owned by DRFG.
Excitingly, this is actually the first-of-its-kind for TriGranit, who has never before redeveloped a building owned by another company.
The building, known as as Signum, is located in Warsaw, near the Chopin Airport. Already a modern masterpiece, this building features ten floors of state-of-the-art offices and is certified BREEAM ‘Excellent’. As part of the development, TriGranit will be involved in installing fit outs for both existing and new occupiers, upgrading technology (including the building’s BMS system), alongside managing and improving the overall standard of the building.
Although this is the first building to be redeveloped by the two partners, it is expected to be the first of many successful
endeavours as the businesses continue through 2025 as one.
“Together, we intend to grow within the European development sector, before branching out into other non-European countries,” shared Mr Pelíšek, in conclusion.
“This is a very exciting prospect for us, and it’s one we foresee being very successful. We also intend to continue on the sustainable path laid out by TriGranit, by favouring the refurbishment of old buildings over new construction. This method has a lot of advantages and will be useful as we continue to tackle the huge potential of the real estate market.” n
