On the new quality in the premium real estate market, we speak with Inez Otto, Sales and Marketing Director at the Wrocław branch of Angel Poland Group.
What has been, is, and will be considered premium in real estate?
The evolution of premium on the Polish real estate market is perfectly illustrated by the history of Angel Poland Group, as it is widely believed that our first project, completed in 2007 in Kraków, initiated the Polish luxury real estate segment. Angel Plaza is an apartment building with a private gym and spa area, designed by an international team of architects. At that time, it was something new; people were astonished, wondering if Poland was ready for such a change in market perception. Over more than 20 years of operation, Angel Poland Group has created much more than beautiful buildings. We have built a premium brand, with a collection of the most prestigious properties in Wrocław and Kraków, setting not only standards but also trends in this area. Today, from today’s perspective, when I speak of premium, I mean not only amenities but also quality at every stage of the customer journey. Of course, this includes an excellent location that offers endless possibilities, amenities within the common areas that remind us of the best five-star hotels, as well as art in the interiors and sensitivity to local elements, such as unique artisan projects. Let’s take Angel Wawel, our Kraków project from 2015, as an example. Despite the passage of time, it remains the hottest address in Kraków, and prices per square meter on the secondary market even reach 40,000 PLN. Premium real estate can guarantee a very significant increase in investment value, and this is one of the main reasons why demand far exceeds supply, regardless of economic conditions. In Wrocław, our biggest project is The Upper House by Angel, which I like to think of as building upon the Group’s experiences because it offers future residents vast opportunities. Can you imagine a better place to live than the city center, yet surrounded by greenery and water? Such a location is luxury by today’s standards because, on one hand, we want everything at our fingertips, but on the other hand, we dream of resting amidst nature. We want to experience… more.
What do clients experience when they decide to purchase a luxury apartment at The Upper House by Angel?
The Oławskie Suburbs is a special place, and we proudly watch how much transformation it has undergone in recent years. It turns out that you don’t have to move out of the city to feel the soothing power of nature. In the case of The Upper House, the client receives what we call the “whole package,” starting from the location and breathtaking views, through luxury amenities, and ending with the care of their investment portfolio, which guarantees the best-invested capital with a high rate of return. In the building’s spaces, in addition to comfortable apartments and penthouses, there are a lobby with 24/7 security, a 25-meter swimming pool with a sauna area, spa, fitness center, residence lounge, a coworking space with its own library, and a children’s playroom. Residents will also be able to enjoy a carefully arranged rooftop garden on the tenth floor. The Upper House is not just a private home space, but also a place that fosters the building of neighborhood relationships, something we often forget in today’s times. For the design of the common areas, we invited architects from the renowned Spanish architectural studio ADC Atelier, with whom we previously created the unique interiors of the Stradom House Autograph Collection by Marriott hotel in Kraków, which is recognized in international rankings as the best luxury city hotel in Poland. Our clients are extremely aware, often owning several properties in various projects of ours. They primarily expect the highest comfort, but in a sense that goes beyond the walls of their apartments. They love the vibrant city life while also appreciating contact with nature. Is it possible to combine both? The Upper House is the best example of this.
Is premium in real estate also about new technologies?
Yes, and we must not forget about it. I’m not just talking about modern construction technologies – that’s obvious. Understanding the market and the value of properties, which we take over as property managers once they are handed over, is key. In order to properly coordinate the functioning of luxury properties, it’s essential to invest in modern management systems that ensure residents the highest comfort in using the building. In all of our investments, we have implemented our proprietary, innovative platform MyTower, which is used, among other things, for communication with residents. This allows them seamless and quick communication (including among neighbors), and enables us as property managers to fully utilize the potential of the property. MyTower helps us understand the needs of the residents, so we can meet them effectively.
As part of The Upper House by Angel, investors can take advantage of the so-called investor packages. Why do Poles so eagerly invest in premium real estate?
The whole world is eager to invest in premium real estate because history has repeatedly proven that it’s the best form of investing large capital. The limited investor packages we have introduced in The Upper House by Angel are absolutely unique solutions. We created them with those who value time and convenience above all in mind. A client choosing to purchase a package receives a prestigious “turnkey” apartment with a year of rental management included in the price. We build long-lasting relationships with our clients, and this is exactly why we created Angel Management. After construction is completed, we don’t turn our backs on them; quite the opposite – we manage the properties, maintaining them in the best condition for years, so their value continuously grows. In the final stage, our team of experts ensures the highest profit for those who decide to sell their apartment on the secondary market.
During the final gala of Złota 100 Dolnośląskiego 2024, you received the award as the Leader of Corporate Social Responsibility. What does CSR look like at Angel Poland Group, because it seems to go far beyond the commonly accepted norms?
Corporate Social Responsibility in its broadest sense is one of the key pillars that define us as a Group. With every new development project, we consistently integrate initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for city residents. For example, we revitalized the promenade along the Oława River, we regularly participate in cleaning its embankment, plant trees, and next year, upon completion of The Upper House, in cooperation with the City Hall, we will create a modern sensory park for the residents of Wrocław in the Oława Suburb. Educating the local community about ecology and health prevention is also very important to us. Since this year, we have also supported local artists by patronizing the DNA art gallery in Wrocław. We have many initiatives, even more ideas, and I could talk about them for a long time. However, I want to emphasize that we treat CSR as our responsibility because anyone who has the ability to influence and do good should do so. Some actions are so obvious that it’s almost inappropriate to even mention them. We are proud of the award we received, and on behalf of the Group and the Angel Concept Foundation, I can only commit to further actions for local communities and ecology.
The Upper House by Angel is the final stage of the investment within Angel Square. What are your further plans for the development of the premium real estate market in Wrocław?
Today, we are focusing on The Upper House by Angel, as it is a unique project. We are attentive to every detail associated with it because the expectations for it are high. It is a one-of-a-kind project that serves as the best culmination of our investment, which consists of a complex of buildings on Walońska Street. I can only reveal that we are not stopping, and the prospect of new projects is at least as attractive as our previous realizations.
Thank you for the conversation.
