According to the latest Colliers report, investments in business, industrial and retail space in Bulgaria amounted to EUR 52 million in the first quarter of 2018. Average prices and return on business properties remained stable. According to the consulting company, rent levels and profitability in the three main segments – industrial, commercial and office space – will remain the same in the coming months.
The office space market recorded deals covering a total area of 35.5 thousand sq. m at average prices (for Sofia) from EUR 13.5 / sq.m for class A and EUR 10 / sq. m for class B. Part of the deals were concluded at the stage of construction. At the end of the three-month period, a total of 9% of the offered 2 million sq. m. class A, B and C offices, were available.
Sofia offers a total of some 400 000 sq. m. of retail space (in shopping centers) and 40 000 sq. m. are under construction. In shopping areas, the average rental price is EUR 39 / sq.m per month, and on busy streets, it reaches EUR 49 / sq.m. The share of vacant areas in the segment dropped to 12%.
The rent of class A industrial areas in Sofia stayed at EUR 4.5 / sq.m and for class B – at EUR 2.7 / sq.m. At present, the segment offers 900 thousand sq. m. of total volume and new 188 thousand sq. m. are in a construction stage. Only 7% of the available areas are vacant.
The largest volume of buildings under construction was registered in the office sector – 384 thousand sq. m., followed by industrial areas with 188 thousand sq. m., and commercial areas with 40 thousand sq. m.
All data from the first quarter report are published on the website of Colliers.