“U•Center 2 represents the continuation of the success story of the project we have been developing in the Tineretului area since 2019. We managed to revitalize a degraded area of Bucharest and transform it into one of Romania's main business hubs”, said Geo Mărgescu, co-founder and CEO of Forte Partners. “Through U•Center, we have created sustainable, healthy, and safe office spaces for the employees of tenant companies. Additionally, the retail areas on the ground floor of the buildings bring services and facilities that benefit the local community. Easy access to less polluting means of transportation, such as trams and the metro, which encourage car-free commuting, has also been high on our priority list”, added Geo Mărgescu.
Located on Calea Șerban Vodă, with quick access to Tineretului and Carol parks, a short distance from the Tineretului metro station, a 10-minute walk from the Octavian Udriște metro station, and easy access to surface public transport, U•Center has been developed in line with Forte Partners' strategy to provide all the amenities and features of modern, comfortable urban living. The buildings are sustainable and energy-efficient, with convenient access to public transport, shops, and other social facilities.
The retail spaces on the ground floor of U•Center 2 are fully leased. In October 2023, Auchan inaugurated a large supermarket spanning 2,600 square meters. The retail area at U•Center 2 was further enhanced in November 2023 with the opening of the eighth location of the Manufaktura The Coffee Shop restaurant chain, which includes an outdoor terrace near Tineretului Park.
In line with Forte Partners' ESG policies and related objectives, the company ensures that the projects it develops consistently improve their energy efficiency and carbon footprint. This approach, along with the certifications obtained, has made U•Center 2 a carbon-neutral building in operation (Shell & Core), considering its electricity supply from 100% renewable sources, the purchase of carbon offset certificates for its long-term gas consumption, and its high energy performance.
The building incorporates numerous additional improvements, including rainwater reuse for irrigation, weather forecasting systems for more efficient cooling, automated daylight-responsive lighting controls, and other bespoke BMS modules designed to save energy. These features complement investments made in the building's biophilic elements, resulting in a more welcoming and healthier environment.
Forte Partners, founded in 2014 and owned by the Jabra brothers, Geo Mărgescu, and Stephen Burke, is one of the leading real estate developers in Romania. To date, the company has developed a portfolio of projects worth over €550 million, spanning both the office and residential segments.
In the past, Forte Partners developed Ștefan cel Mare building, The Bridge office project, Londra 27 residential project, and completed Aviației Park residential project. Forte Partners also developed the Sector 0 Initiative – Millo Offices and Tandem, premium office projects for creatives in central Bucharest – as well as U•Center Phase 1 and Phase 2.
