5 big questions real estate is asking in 2024

Navigating disruption and uncertainty are now standard in a world that continues to face economic and political challenges.

From concerns over the productivity of a hybrid workforce and how to gain an edge with artificial intelligence, to the ongoing conundrum of what to do with office buildings that are heading for obsolescence, investors and corporate occupiers have a lot on their minds.

Join us in diving into some of the biggest issues facing the commercial real estate industry in 2024.

Demand is on the rise for real estate that helps organizations meet their net zero carbon (NZC) goals. But for now, there’s just not enough space, particularly in the office sector, to accommodate everyone.

In the U.S., the supply of low-carbon workspaces will be 57 million square feet short by 2030, while no cities in the Asia Pacific region have adequate supply. In Europe, low NZC building demand is outstripping supply by a factor of three to one. 

“The gap between supply and demand is only set to widen,” says Guy Grainger, Global Head of Sustainability Services and ESG at JLL. “It’s creating opportunities for forward-thinking developers and investors to consider retrofitting existing office buildings with the prospect of higher rents in the short-term and protecting value in the long-term.” 

Grainger points out the commercial case for sustainable buildings has never been stronger.

“Mounting costs from climate risk, increased tenant demand, tougher regulation and restrictive finance all point to investment in decarbonization as the smart long-term strategy” he says. 

While office vacancy rates hit an all-time high, and housing shortages abound, investors and landlords are questioning what to do with buildings past their prime. Converting these spaces into apartments, life-science labs, luxury hotels, data centres or even vertical farms are becoming increasingly attractive options.

“With many buildings now out of date – if not yet out of use – and others simply failing to generate suitable yields, conversions are increasingly on the cards,” says Walid Goudiard, Head of Project and Development Services, EMEA.

He adds that as more repurposing projects are finished, developers are gaining valuable experience. Financing is also becoming more readily available.

“The environmental and social benefits are now clear, while future financial rewards are boosting investor confidence in the emerging business case for adaptive reuse strategies,” says Goudiard.