2005 is going to be the year of retail space," according to Deyan Kavrakov, CRE, CLHMS, CIPS, CEO of Bulgaria's largest full service real estate company ADIS Ltd. There has been great demand for retail, while the supply is still inadequate. However the number of building permits and the prices indicate that in 2005 it will be the leading segment, the real estate expert said on Sunday. Residential real estate was the hottest in 2004, there was a great interest in gated communities, Kavrakov disclosed, saying that the average price growth of all real estate segments was 24%. The price increase for residential property will slow down this year to 14 -18% at the most, the expert told Sofia-based bTV channel. Kavrakov pointed out the real estate was one of the leading sectors in the Bulgarian economy. He said 2004 was one of the most successful years for that business in the country.