EP64: Harness Value across the Real Estate

The real estate (RE) sector remains vital to economic and social development but is undergoing major transformation driven by technology, sustainability, shifting lifestyles, and post-pandemic work patterns. While office occupancy has declined in developed markets, demand for logistics, data centres and larger, wellness-oriented homes is rising. Despite a standardized six-stage RE lifecycle, the sector faces challenges including a fragmented ecosystem, rising material and labour costs, land scarcity, asset obsolescence, and under-digitization. Growth in regions like the Middle East is supported by policy, infrastructure and immigration, yet efficiency and differentiation remain critical. The way forward lies in strong top-down leadership, centralized and sustainable procurement, and a shift from design-to-build toward design-for-experience. Innovation through RE-as-a-Service, automation, data, AI and IoT can unlock efficiency, new revenues and superior customer experiences. Firms that embrace lifecycle-wide innovation and partnerships can create lasting value.