MetLife Investment Management’s Sara Queen and CBRE’s Tommy Lee explore the shifting dynamics of commercial real estate investing. They offer seasoned insight on a range of topics, from NYC office to data centers to build-to-rent residential and much more.

Key takeaways on real estate investing:

·      High-net-worth investors are stepping in aggressively during the current market cycle, while institutional capital remains cautious and highly selective.

·      Data centers benefit from sustained strong demand, but require disciplined underwriting due to lease rollover risks and rising competition.

·      Many institutional investors prefer targeted strategies in assets like build-to-rent, industrial and retail, giving them more control and precise capital deployment.

·      Office development in New York remains fundamentally attractive, but securing equity partners is challenging due to risk expectations and long completion timelines.

·      MetLife is experimenting with AI to enhance investment committee decision-making, enabling a sharpened focus on key risks and opportunities but not replacing human judgment.