Interview: Vastint Romania Expands Flexible Office Strategy and Deepens Tenant-Centric Vision

Vastint Romania is reinforcing its position in Bucharest’s office market by integrating flexible office concepts into its landmark Business Garden development. In an interview with CIJ EUROPE, Antoniu Panait, General Manager of Vastint Romania, outlined how partnerships, sustainability, and tenant-focused amenities are shaping the company’s long-term strategy.

This summer Vastint partnered with IWG to introduce 1,900 square metres of flexible workspace within Business Garden. Panait described this as a “win-win” approach: tenants can begin with short-term solutions and expand into larger, long-term leases within the same project as their needs evolve. Vastint has also developed an additional 2,000 sqm of “ready flex” space, already nearly fully leased. “It’s an incubator concept—small tenants can start with a few desks and later grow into larger spaces we provide. It creates a pipeline for our long-term occupancy,” Panait explained.

Business Garden’s appeal extends beyond workspace flexibility. Vastint has added a range of amenities, from coffee roasteries and event spaces with a dedicated stage to an IKEA plan-and-order shop and access to nearby wellness facilities. Panait stressed that creating a vibrant environment supports productivity, tenant satisfaction, and ultimately asset performance. “Companies are realizing the impact of workplace quality on employee performance. A two or three euro rent difference per square meter is negligible compared to the gains in productivity and retention — especially when weighing a CBD office against a secondary or back-office location,” he said.

On sustainability, Vastint has already delivered LEED Platinum-certified buildings with one of the highest scores in Romania—98 points. Looking ahead, the company aims to exceed 100 points at its Timpuri Noi project by eliminating gas burners entirely and expanding renewable energy use through solar panels and heat pumps. “We started with no compromise on quality, and when we saw how close we were to the highest certifications, we decided to push further,” Panait said. He added that AI tools for analysing building data may play a role in the future, further reducing energy use and carbon emissions.

Vastint is also adapting to hybrid work preferences. With more than three decades of European development experience, the company designs buildings with flexible floor plates, modern building management systems, and security solutions tailored to tenants ranging from banks to tech companies. “Our projects are built to allow any fit-out easily, from open space to specialised layouts,” Panait noted.

Looking ahead, Vastint, with six Business Garden projects already established across Europe, intends to further replicate this successful model, building a consistent brand that multinational tenants can rely on.. “Multinationals want the same quality and standards across their offices, wherever they go,” Panait said. While new sites outside Romania are under consideration, the company remains focused on completing the next phases at Timpuri Noi, which include a significant residential component and expanded amenities such as a swimming pool.

“Our philosophy is to build projects that stand for generations,” Panait concluded. “These buildings are designed to remain adaptable for decades, whether as offices, residential or even hotels in the future. That’s the legacy we want to leave: generous three-meter clear heights and an interior structure that allows future conversions without demolition.”

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