BNP Paribas Real Estate sees commercial real estate investment rising 35% in 2010 compared to 2009. 'Investors are making a moderate return to large deals as borrowing conditions have eased and they gain a better understanding of economic and real estate prospects,' the adviser said in its latest report Outlook in Europe.

Tje ex[ected increase in investment volume follows a fall of 41% in 2009. In the second half of the year, however, investment volume increased 75%.The squeeze on initial prime office yields should continue in the main European markets over the first half of 2010, the report concluded.

Office take-up is expected to recover moderately in 2010 with a rise of 9% after falling 28% in 2009. Net office absorption will still be weak in most markets due to rising unemployment, but new office supply has stopped rising in most cities thanks to the sharp reduction in speculative building starts in 2009.