The Weekly Take from CBRE

Gensler’s Diane Hoskins explains the workplace design trends that are meeting the evolving needs of today’s workforce. She discusses how hybrid work shapes office plans, the importance of reflecting local culture and AI’s growing impact.

Key takeaways on Gensler’s views of workplace design:

·     Workplace design is in flux: Today's offices require a rethink of the work environment, shifting from rigid layouts to flexible spaces.

·     One size doesn’t fit all:  From law firms to tech companies, bespoke design strategies—rooted in culture, function and employee satisfaction—are outperforming cookie-cutter solutions across sectors.

·     Destination workplaces are on the rise: Companies are investing in spaces that attract talent and foster collaboration, turning offices into places where people want to be.

·     AI is changing the game: Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing architectural visualization, enabling real-time design iteration and deeper client engagement.

CBRE Global Head of Research Henry Chin sizes up Q3 investment activity, which was stronger than anticipated, and reveals which asset classes are best positioned for Q4 and 2026.

Key Takeaways on Commercial Real Estate Investment Trends

U.S. real estate is entering a prime investment window as repricing and improving fundamentals create opportunity.

Retail and office sectors are attractive plays, as rents bottom out and occupier demand increases.

Investors should explore value-add strategies and secondary assets. Demand should spillover as vacancy in top-tier space continues to shrink and future supply in office and retail remains constrained. 

Alternative assets are evolving from niche to institutional, but investors should remain disciplined about entry pricing and mindful of the needed operational expertise.

With volumes poised for double-digit growth in 2026 amid a durable market recovery, investors can benefit from early positioning and data-driven conviction.

Author Jean Twenge, Ph.D., explains the implications of four different generations working together. As Gen Zers increasingly join millennials, Gen Xers and a shrinking cohort of baby boomers in the workforce, their varying needs, attitudes and aptitudes are driving workplace changes.

·     Generational shifts are reshaping the workplace: Organizations are navigating the most pronounced generational transition in decades, with differing expectations around leadership styles, collaboration and work-life harmony.

·     Delayed life milestones impact real estate demand: Trends like marrying later in life, postponing homeownership and having fewer children are catalyzing demand for adaptable, amenity-rich properties.

·     Technology is a key driver of generational change: From smartphones to social media, tech has fundamentally altered how each generation communicates, works and interacts—creating both opportunities and challenges for office culture and productivity.

·     Hybrid work reflects generational preferences: The way different generations value in-person collaboration, flexibility and autonomy gives hybrid work models staying power.

·     Empathy is essential for cross-generational leadership: Understanding the distinct values and experiences of each generation, and applying that knowledge in how you communicate  and set policy, can build stronger connections with colleagues.

Author Sam Conniff argues that the boldest leaders don’t play it safe—they have a strategy for rewriting the rules. This episode explores how pirate-inspired thinking and resolute action can help executives navigate uncertainty, unlock innovation and lead with courage amid change.

·     Leaders who embrace change as a strategic advantage can outperform peers.

·     Championing shared values, self-governance and rule-breaking offers a provocative framework for rethinking organizational culture.

·     Emotional intelligence can be a critical competency for business executives.

·     Prioritizing the short-term over the long-term can cost organizations capital and credibility.

·     Leaders should challenge industry “settled” truths to unlock workplace innovation.

This week we shine a light on REITs in the U.K. Two London-based experts discuss what’s driving deal flow, investment strategies and long-term returns, especially in logistics, retail and hospitality.

·      Triple-net REITs in the U.K. offer predictable income and resilience through market cycles.

·      Urban logistics and convenience retail are leading sectors, driven by consumer behavior and e-commerce demand.

·      Sub–£20-million lot sizes are drawing interest from family offices and regional investors focused on low-debt, high-efficiency deals.

·      M&A is accelerating REIT scale and relevance, enabling cost synergies, dividend growth and greater appeal to global capital.

·     Interest rate spreads and swap differentials can make U.K. real estate increasingly competitive against European and U.S. markets.

Barings’ John Lippmann and CBRE Investment Management’s Elisabeth Troni share strategies for navigating risk and unlocking value in core real estate investment portfolios. From alternatives to secondary markets, top funds are adapting to outperform in a shifting landscape.

Key takeaways on evolving investor strategies:

·      Alternatives are reshaping core portfolios, with newer funds allocating heavily to data centers, seniors housing and single-family residential.

·      Operational expertise is a performance driver, particularly in shorter-lease-term asset types that require service-oriented models.

·      Smaller markets offer strategic upside, with investor focus shifting to high-growth, affordable areas like El Paso and West Palm Beach amid demographic and affordability trends.

·      Flexible fund structures allow managers to hold through market cycles and avoid forced sales in illiquid environments.

·      Benchmarking tools enhance insights into income vs. appreciation return potential and help investors measure returns.

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.

Amid evolving trade dynamics, CBRE experts reveal how nearshoring, supply chain reinvention and revitalized twin-plant models are reshaping industrial markets on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. Notably, demand for logistics space and construction activity is booming along the I-35 Corridor.

Key takeaways on U.S.-Mexico Border Markets:

·      Port Laredo Surpasses Traditional Gateways: Currently the top U.S. import hub by value, Laredo’s rise reflects a structural shift in trade flows. Demand for modern logistics facilities near the U.S.’s southern border continues to grow.

·      Kansas City Leads for Absorption and Connectivity: With 28% leasing growth and strategically situated along I-35 with access to a newly unified Canada–Mexico rail system, Kansas City is emerging as a central node for North–South supply chains—ideal for occupiers seeking scalable inland distribution.

·      14M+ SF Under Construction in El Paso and Laredo.  These border markets are seeing major development of automation-ready cold storage and FTZ-enabled facilities. This signals long-term confidence and presents opportunities for early investment in next-gen industrial assets.

·      Twin-Plant Models Resurge: The return of dual facilities operating on both sides of the border is fueling demand for more sophisticated manufacturing and distribution space t. Occupiers should evaluate cross-border strategies to optimize labor and logistics.

·      Keen Competition to Secure Labor Cost Advantages: Border markets offer up to 70% labor cost savings vs. most U.S. cities, and have a skilled workforce. However, occupiers must act strategically to secure talent in a highly competitive market.

CBL Properties’ Stephen Lebovitz and CBRE’s Rich Frolik explain how malls are being transformed into high-performing, mixed-use assets. From casinos and hotels to pickleball and movie theaters, malls are evolving to meet modern demand.

Key takeaways on the evolution of malls:

·      Malls are transitioning into multi-use destinations, integrating entertainment, hospitality and residential to diversify income and increase relevance.

·      Financing is increasingly accessible for retail assets, with recent deals showing lender confidence and competitive debt structures.

·      Success depends on hyper-local strategies, with redevelopment tailored to demographics, infrastructure and competitive dynamics.

·      Malls in secondary markets benefit from large trade areas and limited alternatives, reinforcing their role as dominant regional retail hubs.

·      Redeveloping legacy anchor spaces into formats that appeal to current customer wants and tastes can unlocks value and enhance long-term viability.

Net lease assets are attracting more institutional capital. New Mountain Capital’s Teddy Kaplan and CBRE’s Will Pike explore why this resilient, tax-efficient investment strategy is gaining favor.

• Attractive in volatile markets: Positioned as a hybrid asset class—part real estate and part structured finance, net lease investments offer cash flow backed by quality credit tenants.
• Manufacturing momentum: Production facilities are emerging as high-performing assets due to their strong cash flow and tenant investment in infrastructure.
• Sale-leasebacks as strategic tools: Investors and corporate occupiers are increasingly using sale-leasebacks to unlock capital, especially in sectors where considerable capital is tied up in operating assets.

·      Capital market resilience: Despite macroeconomic headwinds, net lease is attracting institutional capital, with growing interest from large institutions and wealth management channels.

·      Risk-adjusted returns and geographic nuance: Cap rates and valuations vary significantly by location and tenant credit quality, underscoring the importance of underwriting both real estate fundamentals and corporate financial health.