Development company Forte Partners commences construction on U Center 3 in Bucharest, marking a EUR 100 million investment
In the heart of Bucharest's Tineretului area, construction on the office component of U Center 3 has commenced, marking a significant milestone for one of Romania's leading real estate developers, Forte Partners. This EUR 100 million investment is set to redefine the city's skyline with a mid-rise structure, boasting cutting-edge design and energy efficiency features.
Forte Partners, established in 2014, is owned by the Jabra brothers, Geo Mărgescu, and Stephen Burke. The company's portfolio spans both the office and residential segments, with projects totalling over EUR 550 million in value.
U Center 3, a follow-up to the successful first two buildings, will offer a host of innovative amenities. The building will feature biophilic design, incorporating elements of nature to enhance occupant well-being. Rainwater reuse systems will be utilised for irrigation purposes, while automated lighting controls will optimise energy consumption by responding to natural daylight.
Weather forecasting for optimised cooling is another key feature, part of the Building Management System (BMS), helping to enhance energy efficiency. HVAC systems will be powered by heat pumps, using low-impact refrigerants to reduce environmental impact. The building will comply with nZEB (nearly Zero Energy Building) standards and aim for certifications such as LEED, WELL, GRESB, and Access4you.
The office component of U Center 3 will be a 12,500 sqm building, housing 1,700 sqm of retail space and 200 apartments. The retail offering will include a large-format Auchan supermarket and a Manufaktura coffeeshop at ground level.
The top two floors of U Center 3 will be set back, with the building consisting of two basement levels, a ground floor, and six upper floors. The start of construction follows the issuance of the building permit at the end of June 2025.
Looking ahead, construction on the residential part of the final phase of the U Center project is scheduled to begin in 2026. This development is set to further solidify Forte Partners' position as a pioneer in sustainable and innovative real estate development in Romania.
[1] LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to evaluate the environmental performance of a building and encourage market transformation towards sustainable design.
[2] WELL is a building standard focused on human health and wellness.
[3] GRESB (Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark) is an organisation that benchmarks the sustainability performance of real estate portfolios and infrastructure assets worldwide.
[4] Access4you is a Romanian organisation that promotes the accessibility of buildings for people with disabilities.
Forte Partners, known for their investments in real-estate and finance, are set to develop U Center 3, a sustainable office building complying with nZEB standards and aiming for certifications such as LEED, WELL, GRESB, and Access4you. The construction of the 12,500 sqm office component, featuring innovative amenities and biophilic design, began in the Tineretului area of Bucharest following the issuance of the building permit in late June 2025.
