The Romanian premium real estate market is on the rise, showcasing notable trends and insights as we head toward 2025. According to experts from ARQA, the sector is maturing, with buyers becoming increasingly discerning. Even amid economic and legislative challenges, the demand for luxury properties remains high, reflecting changing priorities among affluent consumers.
One of the most significant factors influencing home selection is proximity to high-quality educational institutions. Areas like Iancu Nicolae and Pipera are becoming increasingly desirable due to their closeness to renowned private schools such as Cambridge School of Bucharest, British School, and the American School. This trend indicates how parents investing considerable sums in their children's education also expect corresponding lifestyles. According to Alexandru Rădulescu, Chief Sales Officer of ARQA, "Parents who invest significant amounts in their children's education also desire a lifestyle to support this endeavor. A premium apartment near top schools means less time spent in traffic and greater comfort for the entire family."
This focus on education has spurred developers to create integrated premium complexes, combining residential units with educational amenities, after-school zones, and recreational spaces for children. The growing interest in spacious apartments—often spanning 150 to 200 square meters with generous terraces between 70 to 100 square meters—marks another shift. Buyers now favor these expansive living spaces equipped with amenities ranging from concierge services to communal relaxation areas. Rădulescu explains, "A house entails many responsibilities—gardening, maintenance, repairs. Premium clients now prefer large apartments with spacious terraces within well-managed complexes, where they need not worry about maintenance."
After years of cost-cutting, premium project developers are optimistic about reintroducing top-tier amenities like indoor and outdoor pools, co-working spaces, elegant lounges, and private after-school programs. Attention to detail has become one of the most valued factors among premium buyers. Clients are increasingly interested not only in high-end finishes but also soundproofing, intelligent partitioning, architectural design, and sensory experiences—such as olfactory branding of lobbies and sophisticated architectural lighting.
The quality of the community also plays a significant role. Buyers are no longer satisfied with merely high-quality finishes; they desire to belong to hospitable, well-structured communities. This shift reflects the profile of ARQA’s clientele, which includes top management professionals, entrepreneurs, and expatriates who seek both comfort and connectivity within their living spaces. Rădulescu notes, "We are increasingly witnessing clients aspiring not only to own well-built apartments but also to immerse themselves within communities where they feel at home. Interaction with neighbors sharing similar lifestyles, access to premium facilities, and the security of well-managed environments are as important as location or design. "
Such changes indicate a shift toward more informed buyers who are intent on researching developers’ reputations, project funding sources, and guarantees. ARQA identifies this growing caution among clients as part of the industry’s maturation process. Rădulescu mentions, "A more stable legal framework will make the entire real estate process—from land acquisition to permitting and final delivery—much clearer and more efficient. We and our clients both desire a regulated industry offering long-term security."
Price increases will also favor more solid investments and value-add properties, with premium homes set to appreciate due to high construction material costs, rising taxes, and fiscal instability. The possible end to the conflict in Ukraine and the beginning of reconstruction could spur demand for materials and labor, exerting additional pressure on prices. Rădulescu points out, "On one hand, price hikes reflect larger costs; on the other, buyers within the premium segment are willing to pay more for well-conceived products with exclusive facilities and carefully selected communities. This is motivating developers to invest more heavily in sustainable materials, sophisticated designs, and exclusive amenities, as the premium housing market evolves much beyond mere luxury, transforming it instead to be considered investments with long-term appreciation potential."
Notably, as permit issuance stagnates within Bucharest, the premium market expands to surrounding areas like Pipera, Corbeanca, and Snagov, presenting new opportunities. The focus has shifted toward well-planned residences integrated with nature and accompanied by modern infrastructure. Rădulescu asserts, "We view this expansion as incredibly rewarding. We can develop premium communities with expansive green spaces, rapid access, and stress-free lifestyles without compromise. People are seeking not just apartments or houses but rather high-standard residential experiences."
ARQA, which has 100% Romanian capital, recently initiated its first project, Jolie Village—a residential ensemble north of the capital representing 21 million euros. It has since announced plans for another residential project involving a substantial 50 million euro investment. The future of Romania's premium real estate market seems brighter, characterized by educated consumers, increasingly complex projects, and well-prepared developers as it akin levels out and matures.