Swire Properties’ Henry Bott and CBRE's Troy Ballard examine Miami's growth, appeal to global investors and the Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Swire's luxury condominium project on Brickell Key Island.

Share these insights about opportunities in Miami:

1. Miami is thriving: The city is growing rapidly, with strong demand for housing driven by an increasing population.
2. Luxury housing is in demand: The Residences at Mandarin Oriental is a prime example of the demand for high-end housing in Miami.
3. International investors: Miami’s multi-faceted appeal is attracting buyers from around the world.
4. Demographics are changing: Brickell, for instance, has attracted a younger population base.
5. Adaptive re-use opportunities: The office market in Miami has softened, but conversion and redevelopment projects are underway.

Stoneshield Capital’s Juan Pepa and CBRE's Adolfo Ramirez-Escudero discuss Spain's economic renaissance, which has engendered bountiful investment opportunities.

Share these insights about investment opportunities in Spain:

1. Spain has great fundamentals: Gone are the dog days following the Global Financial Crisis. Spain's high economic growth rate has made it an attractive investment destination.
2. Focus on alternative real estate sectors: Some of Spain’s strongest sectors are student housing, life sciences and seniors housing.
3. Renewable energy is in demand: Interest in energy and sustainable infrastructure, particularly around data centers and the industrial sectors, is high.
4. Big pharma has a big presence: A consolidation of big pharma companies makes the region attractive for life sciences investment.
5. It’s a business-friendly environment: Incentive programs and a supportive regulatory environment has drawn inbound capital.

This week we shine a spotlight on San Francisco, a market that is showing increasing signs of shaking off the post-pandemic doldrums. Listen to a wide-ranging discussion as The Bay Area Council's Jim Wunderman and CBRE's Joe Wallace explore the growing impact of AI on local economy and real estate market,  opportunities across sectors, public-private collaborations and the city's budding revival.

Share these insights from this week’s episode:

• Tech and AI Potential: The growth of AI is contributing to an  economic revival in San Francisco.
• Office-Space Dynamics: Office leasing improved notably  in San Francisco in Q4 2024, driven by its strong tech tenant base.
• Housing Development: Increasing the availability of affordable housing is vital for maintaining the city's workforce and economic growth.
• Infrastructure Improvements: Enhancing transportation—including the city’s historic trolley—and other infrastructure systems will support the region's growth.
• Cultural and Tourism Appeal: San Francisco's unique culture, diversity and lifestyle continue to attract talent and investment.

Jamie Hodari, CBRE's CEO of Building Operations & Experience, spotlights where he sees the biggest opportunity across commercial real estate: workplace experience. He discusses how a company’s space can attract tenants and enhance the employee experience, enriching people’s lives and increasing business effectiveness.

Share these insights from this week’s episode:

• Everything is operational real estate: Real estate companies are evolving from asset focused businesses to operating platforms, requiring high-quality management relentlessly focused on workplace experience.
• AI and data utilization are no longer nice-to-haves: Using AI to manage and interpret data is crucial for optimizing building operations.
• Markets are adapting to accommodate hybrid work models with flexible office usage: Urban markets especially put significant emphasis on making downtown areas vibrant.
• Finance institutions are catching up: The finance industry must recognize and adapt to the operational nature of modern real estate.
• Flight-to-quality is expanding: The focus for landlords and occupiers will increasingly be on creating spaces that people find enriching and valuable, not just functional.

With a twist on the conventional lodging business model, Extended Stay America (ESA) has seen impressive growth in recent years. ESA CEO Greg Juceam discusses managing its real estate portfolio and provides insights on the business of long-term accommodations.

Share these insights from this week’s episode:

1. Investment Potential: The extended-stay lodging segment offers a resilient and growing opportunity, particularly in secondary and tertiary markets.
2. Operational Simplicity: Extended-stay hotels can benefit from streamlined operations and less labor requirements.
3. Scalability: ESA’s model combines ownership and franchising, enabling multiple avenues for growth and scalability.
4. Diversified Demand: The diverse range of guest demand drivers -- from construction crews to long-term healthcare treatments to digital nomads -- tends to support stable occupancy rates.
5. Strategic Expansion: ESA’s focus on new builds and strategic acquisitions positions it well for future growth, even in challenging capital markets.

High-net-worth individuals and family offices can be a lucrative, though difficult-to-access source of real estate investment capital. BNY Mellon's Boryana Zamanoff and CBRE's Zaahir Syed and Compie Newman discuss how to tap into funding from family offices and the strategies these investors are employing under current real estate market conditions.

 Significant Pool of Capital: Family offices and high-net-worth individuals collectively represent hundreds of billions of dollars seeking real estate investment opportunities.

Access and Relationships: Family offices often do not entertain unsolicited approaches. It's crucial to build trusted relationships with their advisors who act as gatekeepers.

Investment Preferences and Structure: Family offices often prefer direct investments and opportunities where they can have more control and flexibility.

Market Conditions and Opportunities: High interest rates and current market conditions have prompted family offices to invest cautiously with a focus on data centers, logistics and housing.

Evolving Preferences: The preferences of the next generation are critical considerations. Younger family members often prioritize impact investing and newer asset classes.

Industry experts address the critical topic of property and casualty insurance, a topic that is acutely relevant amid the devastating fires in Los Angeles. AON’s Ryan Barber, Walton Street Capital’s Raphael Dawson and CBRE’s Chris Nassa discuss approaches that can help commercial real estate owners manage risks and stem rising costs.

Share these insights from this week’s episode:

• Innovative Modeling: Property owners should adopt a sophisticated approach to risk management, using advanced tools and models to inform their insurance decisions.
• Captive Insurance: Owners with large portfolios should consider captive insurance and other programs to manage costs and realize profits.
• Data Accuracy: Providing detailed and accurate information about properties can significantly impact insurance modeling and premiums.
• Stay Informed: Companies should designate an in-house expert dedicated to staying informed about insurance market trends and innovations crucial for effective risk management.

Hala Moddelmog of the Woodruff Arts Center and CBRE’s Nicole Goldsmith discuss Atlanta's  economic and cultural development, highlighting the role of diverse talent, sports, the arts and entertainment and a welcoming business climate in its rise.

Share these insights from this week’s episode:

• Corporate support, cultural institutions and educational resources fuel Atlanta's economic development.
• The growing preference for mixed-use environments and high-amenity office spaces has attracted global brands and talent.
• Major sporting events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and strategic urban development projects will continue to shape Atlanta's global standing.
• Addressing infrastructure challenges, particularly in the transit system, are key to supporting future growth.
• One of the most educated cities in the U.S., Atlanta’s ability to retain its diverse, highly skilled workforce is critical for sustained success.

What will 2025 hold for the global economy and real estate? Selma Hepp, CoreLogic Chief Economist, and Richard Barkham, CBRE Global Chief Economist, discuss where they see opportunities and challenges and a few things to keep an eye on.

Share these insights from this week’s episode:

1. Despite continued high interest rates, the economy is expected to perform well in the near term, driven by a resilient consumer.
2. Housing sales are expected to remain subdued due to persistently high mortgage rates and ongoing affordability Issues.
3. Real estate is at the beginning of a new cycle with retail and industrial particularly well positioned.
4. Increased insurance costs and property taxes have exacerbated housing affordability challenges.

Back in June, Belinda Román, 2023’s most accurate forecaster, according to The Wall Street Journal, and CBRE Econometric Advisors’ Dennis Schoenmaker opine on the art, science and technology involved in predicting the ebbs and flows of the global economy.

Insights to Share:

• Belinda Román, Associate Professor of Economics at St. Mary’s University, expects GDP growth of 3% this year.
• CBRE EA’s Dennis Schoenmaker expects GDP to hover around 2%.
• Even with slower economic growth, there will be opportunities in commercial real estate.
• Regional, national and global forecasting requires a deep understanding of the available data.
• In commercial real estate, where information has historically been opaque, future forecasting can be enhanced by  AI.