Bucharest, June 18, 2025
Meta Estate Trust (stock symbol MET), a holding company operating in the real estate sector and acting as a bridge between the real estate market and the capital market, announces a strategic investment in a new retail park currently under development in Ciolpani commune, located along the Bucharest–Ploiești corridor (DN1), one of Romania’s most dynamic peri-urban growth zones. The project will be completed and handed over to tenants within this year and is set to open to the public in the first quarter of 2026.
The total value of the investment amounts to approximately 2 million euros. The main tenant and food anchor is a European retailer with an investment-grade credit rating (BBB), which has signed a firm 13-year lease agreement and becomes the first “budget” store in the area. The portfolio is complemented by other reputable discount commercial tenants, expected to attract a large audience—especially families and young people—operating under 5-year lease contracts.
“The retail park in Ciolpani is the first development of its kind and marks the beginning of a series of investments in partnership with an international retailer. The chosen location and the tenant mix directly address a real need in the local community, giving us confidence in the efficiency and success of this investment. Upon completion, we estimate that the asset will generate an annual gross income of over 350,000 euros, strengthening Meta Estate Trust's position in the segment of commercial assets leased to trusted partners. This investment aligns with Meta Estate Trust’s strategy of portfolio diversification and strengthening exposure in real estate segments with growth potential, served by stable tenants with a strong market presence,” said Alexandru Bonea, CEO of Meta Estate Trust.
The Ciolpani retail park will also include 8 charging stations for electric vehicles, addressing modern urban mobility demands and adding a competitive edge in line with ESG trends. Additionally, the installation of photovoltaic panels and a Lithium-ion battery energy storage system is planned, reflecting the company's sustainability commitment and aligning with the renewable energy strategies of its main tenants.
Meta Estate Trust’s investment in the Ciolpani retail park is structured through a balanced mix of own funds, contributions from two partners, and an investment loan from Banca Transilvania. Meta Estate Trust currently owns 76% of the company developing the project. ERES One Development, founded by the Dobra family and the project’s developer, will take over the park’s operation and management upon its opening.
Retail Development: A New Strategic Direction for Meta Estate Trust
In the second half of 2024, Meta Estate Trust entered a strategic partnership with an international food retail brand, aiming to develop an attractive pipeline of four major commercial projects. As part of this expansion into retail, the company later signed memorandums of understanding for the acquisition of the four commercial properties, located in various cities across Romania.
Investments in retail projects led by the Meta team aim to minimize risks and operating costs for the company, while providing long-term predictability and stability.
Specifically, in these transactions, Meta Estate’s management team is betting on the consistent demand in the food sector—even during challenging economic times—as well as on the financial strength and reputation of the anchor tenant, a major European discount retailer.
About Meta Estate Trust:
Meta Estate Trust is a holding company active in the real estate sector, founded in March 2021 by a group of Romanian entrepreneurs with experience in real estate and the capital market. Since August 29, 2022, Meta Estate Trust has been listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange, AeRO market, under the ticker symbol MET. As of March 20, 2023, MET shares are included in the BETAeRO index. The investment policy is based on a mix of investment types with different risk-return profiles, relying on a diversified and flexible portfolio that can easily adapt to market cycles.
