BARTEK Real Estate, an Irish-led property platform, has launched in Poland, targeting investment in sustainable developments for the private rental sector in secondary cities.
BARTEK will operate a project-by-project investment model and offer investors "attractive, ESG-aligned returns" while addressing one of the most significant housing deficits in Europe.
BRE expects to invest €20-40m per development and currently has a pipeline of more than 50 projects. The company could ultimately invest approximately €1.5bn if projections hold.
BRE was co-founded by Irish private equity and finance specialist Conor Gleeson and Polish developer Michal Stys, CEO of OPG Property Professionals.
Together, they have over 30 years' experience in cross-border real estate, finance, and urban regeneration.
The company aims to grow the share of Poland's housing stock that is institutionally owned and available to the private rental market from 0.1% to 30%, mirroring the trajectory of Ireland's private rental sector over the past 20 years.
Poland is experiencing strong GDP growth, falling interest rates, and shifting tenant behaviour, creating a unique window of opportunity for early-mover investors, BRE said.
According to PwC’s recent overview of the Polish PRS market, institutional rental stock grew by 32% in the last year alone, and the sector is forecast to quadruple to over 80,000 units by 2028.
The growth is driven by a housing deficit of nearly 2m units, increasing affordability pressures and a shift towards "flexible, professionally managed rental living."
“There are very few moments when timing, macro conditions, and strategy align this well,” said Gleeson, managing director of BRE.
“Poland is at an inflection point – with strong rental demand, a housing shortfall of over 1.5m units, and a nascent PRS market ready for institutionalisation. This is a chance to be early and smart.”
BARTEK will initially target urban developments that appeal to young professionals and families in cities such as Łódź, Wrocław, Katowice, and Trójmiasto.
Projects will target IRRs above 20% over a typical five-year holding period and include both forward purchase agreements and joint ventures with local developers to shape the product from inception.
BARTEK's plan is underpinned by a strategic partnership with Stys' OPG Property Professionals.
OPG’s notable past projects include OFF Piotrkowska, one of Poland’s top revitalisation initiatives, and the Art Modern housing project in Łódź.
“Our goal is to create places people want to live—not just units to rent,” said Stys, who is also managing director at BARTEK.
“Through our partnership with OPG, we bring deep local knowledge and a track record of delivery at scale, ensuring that sustainability, quality, and community are central to each project.”
BARTEK's first development, Project ART in Łódź, is now open and represents the first proof of concept for its growing pipeline.
The platform is backed by a board of senior Irish legal, real estate, and investment figures, including William Gleeson (founder of OPG), David Dillon (co-founder of Dillon Eustace), and Niall Molloy (founder of Echelon Data Centres).
Photo: Conor Gleeson. (Pic: Supplied)
