Investment in Europe and CR will grow

During the first quarter of 2011, commercial real estate worth EUR 26.7 billion was purchased in Europe, which is an increase of 26 % compared to the same period last year. As in previous years, the vast majority of investors´ interest focused on key properties and markets, in particular Great Britain and Germany – while 73 % of the total of EUR 5.4 billion in the German market went to the retail sector.

Central and Eastern Europe are showing increased interest in retail real estate, too. This trend will also be reflected in the Czech Republic this year – CB Richard Ellis analysts expect such investments to reach 50 % of the total volume of investment. CBRE also expect an increased interest in logistics and industrial properties which together will share equally the other half of the invested volume. For this year, CBRE expect investment of more than EUR 1.4 billion. In 2010, only EUR 693 million were invested in the Czech Republic.

Main European countries/markets (€ million)	Q1 2011	Q1 2010	Change
Great Britain	9,800	7,031	39%
Germany	5,493	4,647	18%
France	1,991	1,493	33%
Scandinavia	3,442	3,549	-3%
Benelux	1,220	1,253	-3%
Italy	1,083	620	75%
Spain & Portugal	745	1,228	-39%
CEE	2,545	857	197%
Others*	424	508	-17%
Europe total	26,740	21,186	26%