Office buildings in regional cities represent about a quarter of Romania's modern office stock, estimated at approximately 4.5 million sqm, despite their demographic and educational potential being comparable or even superior to Bucharest. National Statistics Institute data shows a combined 197,000 students in the four regional cities, nearly 10% above the capital's level of approximately 180,000 students.

Despite this potential, the regional office stock remains 68% smaller than Bucharest's, highlighting a gap between potential demand and current supply levels. In comparison, Poland's regional cities have experienced accelerated development over the past decade, with office stock outside Warsaw exceeding 6.7 million sqm, above the capital's 6.2 million sqm. Over ten years, Poland's regional markets received over 3.2 million sqm of new projects, compared to just 580,000 sqm delivered in Romania's regional cities.

Mădălina Cojocaru, Partner, Office Agency at Cushman & Wakefield Echinox, said: "Cluj-Napoca stands out in terms of both size and demand, while Timișoara, Iași and Brașov compete through lower costs, access to skilled workforce and developing connectivity."

The solid demographics - over one million inhabitants and nearly 200,000 students - support the long-term growth prospects of these markets, while low development activity will put pressure on rental levels.