How do we build modern urban communities for the future while still preserving tradition and identity?
With this question in mind, One United Properties, the leading green developer of residential, office and commercial real estate in Romania, set out to be a visionary company that would positively impact urban development. Ever since its first projects, ONE has been looking at real estate differently. A building is not just a building, it is a piece of a living urban ecosystem, where residential, office, retail and hospitality spaces meet and, through their very coexistence, weave a vibrant, active and engaged community.
Through a people-centred vision, ONE has succeeded in redefining urban development and the quality of life. Its own portfolio model that mixes living, working, recreational and social is the one that supports the creation of new lively communities.
”A city does not come alive from apartments alone, nor from offices on their own. It comes alive where all these functions meet: where someone lives, works, meets a friend for coffee, takes children to school, sees an exhibition and stays for dinner, all in the same place. This is the ecosystem we build and what makes us different: the connections between all real estate functions”,
argues Beatrice Dumitrașcu, CEO Residential Division, One United Properties.
Leveraging tradition to form modern communities
This year, the company’s vision reaches a defining moment with the opening of One Gallery. It represents the restoration of the former Ford factory in Floreasca, the first assembly line in Eastern Europe, that benefited from an over 100 million euros investment. A neglected industrial landmark dating from interwar Bucharest is now brought back to life as a modern hub for retail, culture and urban life. It is the clearest expression of a belief that lies at the heart of the company: progress and heritage are not opposites. The most modern developments are often those that carry the memory of a place forward.
The same principle guides the company’s wider restoration portfolio, including One Athénée, located near the Romanian Athenaeum, the historic buildings that will host The Hoxton Bucharest or the Mondrian Bucharest. With hospitality, the ecosystem comes full circle: to living, working, shopping and leisure, the city adds places to gather, to stay, to experience and discover. Beyond Bucharest, in Sibiu, ONE is restoring the emblematic Gratioza factory, a historic fountain-pen and writing-instrument producer, within the former FLARO platform, extending the same model to Romania’s regional cities.
The social impact of a responsible urban development
Such an ecosystem does more than serve those who live and work within it, it strengthens the city around it. Through its projects, ONE supports approximately 21,000 jobs, on its construction sites and across its work with partners and suppliers, connecting the company directly to the local economy. By restoring historic buildings and creating emblematic places for dining, culture, socialising and events, these developments draw in not only residents, but locals and tourists alike. Thus, responsible urban development becomes a driver of the city’s attractiveness, creating vibrant public spaces that are worth visiting.
Just as importantly, ONE is paying attention to the infrastructure a community needs to thrive. In Bucharest’s Sector 2 alone, the company has committed 27 million euros to building two schools, within One Academy Club and One Lake District, designed to serve over 1,000 children, together with new road infrastructure.
Around 6 million euros have been invested, alongside other developers, in 3.5 kilometres of new roads, easing traffic and connecting the neighbourhoods. A genuine community needs schools, roads and public spaces to ensure a modern and connected lifestyle.
The ecosystem’s pull is already visible in the confidence of the international companies, such as Ford, Siemens Energy, BAT Global Business Solutions or Infineon Technologies, that have established their headquarters in One Cotroceni Park, One Tower and One Technology District, drawn by LEED- and WELL-certified offices set within a mixed-use environment. The same standard defines the residential side of the ONE ecosystem: by combining architectural quality, energy efficiency and integrated amenities, One United Properties is reshaping what urban living means in Romania: a complete way of life, where home, work, culture and leisure coexist.
”I think that we have reached a maturity that allows us to look at our developments on the long run with the objective of shaping the city around us, while honouring its identity. A community grows where people have every reason to come together”, adds Beatrice Dumitrașcu.
ONE UNITED PROPERTIES (BVB: ONE) is the leading green investor and developer of residential, office and mixed-use real estate listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange, Romania. Since 2007, the company has been developing and managing a portfolio of landmark properties, with a focus on urban regeneration and real estate investments. One United Properties integrates a real estate development and management platform that covers the entire operational cycle, from land selection and acquisition to design, construction, and management. The business model combines real estate development with recurring revenue-generating assets, with a strategic focus on transforming underutilized urban areas into well-integrated modern communities that create long-term value. One United Properties is an innovative, award-winning company recognized for sustainability, energy efficiency, design, and wellness. In 2025, the Financial Times recognized One United Properties as the ninth fastest-growing company in Europe over the past decade in its Top 300 ranking of “Europe’s Long-Term Growth Champions”.
