Future of Work 2024

You can read the press release in Dutch & in French

JLL survey on new ways of working in Belgium and Luxembourg: real estate management returns to the center of decision-makers' concerns 2,300 office real estate decision-makers across 23 markets share their vision of the changing world of work and its implications for real estate.

Brussels, March 11, 2025 - As we approach the fifth anniversary of the first COVID-19 lockdown, JLL unveils its latest biennial survey on the evolution of work patterns and their impact on corporate real estate. Conducted since 2011, this 2024 study analyzes the priorities, challenges, and strategies of over 2,300 corporate real estate (CRE) decision-makers worldwide. It offers unprecedented insights into crucial topics such as the integration of new technologies, the evolution of workspace design, and the growing importance of ESG criteria in real estate decisions. JLL Belgium and Luxembourg, participants in this global survey, share the key findings of this in-depth analysis of the sector.

Portfolio management in service of company objectives

In Belgium and Luxembourg, decision-makers are adopting a balanced and forward-looking approach to their corporate strategies. They focus on key objectives that promise long-term success: driving company growth (68%), attracting and retaining top talent (62%), and having a positive impact on communities (62%).

Cost reduction remains paramount in the decision-makers' perspective (64%), though this approach is not contradictory to growth objectives. Rather, it reflects a prudent strategy to ensure optimal resource allocation to foster expansion and innovation. The survey reveals that by balancing growth initiatives with financial prudence, Belgian and Luxembourgish companies are positioning themselves to succeed in a resilient and sustainable manner in an evolving economy.

Evolving work patterns continue to influence real estate portfolios and location strategy

The evolution of work patterns since the pandemic has been significant. Our 2022 "Employee Preferences Barometer" revealed that 36% of office employees worked exclusively on-site. By 2023, the initial enthusiasm for hybrid work began to nuance, with emerging concerns about performance, innovation, and sense of belonging, leading to diverse approaches across regions and countries.

Our current study shows that in Belgium, 56% of companies define themselves as "hybrid adopters," offering at least one day of remote work per week. The remaining 44% position themselves as "office advocates," with no remote work option. In Luxembourg, despite historical reluctance towards remote work mainly due to tax considerations, employers are now showing increasing openness to this flexibility.

Notably, 60% of survey respondents anticipate an increase in the number of mandatory office days by 2030, suggesting a long-term trend towards a partial return to in-person work. This evolution reflects a dynamic balance between new flexible work practices and the persistent need for face-to-face interactions in the professional environment.

Significant commitment to adopting technology and AI to improve performance and value-added of corporate real estate teams

Artificial intelligence (AI) has already entered large companies. However, in the real estate field, it is still in its infancy. Our survey reveals that 77% of respondents believe AI could help solve challenges in daily corporate real estate (CRE) management. However, only 54% consider its adoption essential to increase the added value of the CRE function. Despite this, 78% state that their company has a strategy to develop and implement AI in managing their real estate portfolio.

In our region, although commitment to AI is high and it is perceived as a solution to major real estate challenges, a hybrid approach currently predominates. Indeed, 41% of operations combine manual and AI-driven processes. This trend suggests that, despite the growing spread of AI in the professional environment, human expertise remains crucial in the real estate sector. The future thus seems to be shaping around a synergy between advanced technology and human know-how.

The positive impact of real estate extends beyond sustainability to include social factors

Sustainability is profoundly redefining companies' real estate decisions, influencing hybrid work strategies, resource management, and resilience strengthening. The climate goal set for 2030 weighs heavily on Belgian decision-makers: 67% will invest in climate-resilient buildings, while 70% are willing to pay a premium for buildings with higher certifications. A similar proportion opts for layouts incorporating recycled furniture.

The notion of sustainability now extends to social aspects, with corporate real estate professionals integrating employee well-being as an integral part of their responsibilities. In collaboration with human resources, they deploy workspaces that promote gender equality (81%), accessibility for people with reduced mobility (82%), and support generational diversity in the workplace (73%). This holistic approach to sustainability reflects a significant evolution in the design and management of workspaces, combining environmental and social concerns.

The corporate real estate function is challenged to reconcile short-term and long-term priorities

In 2024, the influence of real estate decision-makers extends to all aspects of the business, from organizational efficiency to social impact, through innovation, hybrid work management, and reducing environmental footprint. Their efforts increasingly align with overall organizational objectives.

However, corporate real estate (CRE) managers face a complex challenge: reconciling short-term and long-term objectives. While 32% believe innovative solutions create the most value, 39% expect to be evaluated on cost reduction. This conflict extends to talent management: 54% of respondents recognize it as an organizational priority, but only 29% see it as an area where corporate real estate can add value.

To overcome these conflicting priorities, real estate departments must strategically reposition themselves. Their challenge is to be perceived as a strategic asset rather than just a cost center, and to significantly contribute to the company's objectives. This transformation represents an opportunity to unlock substantial value creation potential.

In conclusion, the "Future of Work 2024" study highlights five major trends in corporate real estate in Belgium and Luxembourg. There is a shift towards smart and responsible growth, combining sustainable development and financial prudence. Evolving work patterns continue to influence real estate strategies, with a trend towards a gradual return to the office. The growing integration of artificial intelligence promises to increase the performance of real estate teams while preserving human expertise. The positive impact of real estate extends beyond sustainability to encompass social factors, with an emphasis on employee well-being and openness to local communities. Finally, real estate managers are faced with the challenge of reconciling short-term and long-term priorities, having to reposition their function as a strategic asset rather than just a cost center. These trends paint a future where corporate real estate plays a central role in the success and sustainability of organizations in Belgium and Luxembourg.

Case Studies

In light of these emerging trends and challenges in corporate real estate, the following two case studies concretely illustrate how organizations navigate between hybrid work, sustainability, technological innovation, and value creation, thus reflecting the main pillars highlighted by the Future of Work study.

Advanzia Bank

In the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, JLL assisted Advanzia Bank with the relocation of its offices in 2024, from the project's inception. Faced with its growth and the specific needs of a digital bank, Advanzia's former premises were no longer suitable. Advanzia aimed to increase the well-being of its employees and create an attractive environment for current and future talent. The ESG approach and carbon footprint reduction were also priorities, resulting in a tailored project. The choice fell on the Emerald, a 4,265 m² building combining sustainable technologies, certified BREEAM "Excellent," one of the most recognized sustainability labels worldwide.

"Our search for a new office began a few years ago, with two main objectives. The most crucial was to create an optimal environment for our employees, rethinking our collaboration methods, the aesthetics of the premises, and ensuring facilities conducive to the fulfillment and performance of each individual. At the same time, we emphasized the sustainability of the project." Nishant Fafalia, CEO of Advanzia Bank Luxembourg

"This project highlights the synergy between JLL and Tétris Design&Build. Our integrated approach merged the expertise of our 'Tenant Rep' (tenant), P&DS (Projects and Development), and Tétris Design&Build (design and fit-out) teams to offer a comprehensive solution to Advanzia Bank. JLL supported the bank's transformation project by leveraging its expertise at every stage of the process: from negotiation to contract signing to space planning. Exchanges with Andando Real Estate, developer and owner of the Emerald building, proved crucial to the project's success. This collaboration underlines how JLL's varied skills come together to create value and exceptional results." Emna Rekik, Country Lead JLL Luxembourg

JLL Belgium

JLL's move to Montoyer 10 in Brussels perfectly reflects the company's commitment to its ESG objectives and core values. This building, certified BREEAM Exceptional and WELL Platinum, carbon neutral and incorporating nearly 80% recycled materials in its interior fittings, embodies the circular economy. This relocation addresses current workplace challenges while prioritizing employee well-being. The project demonstrates JLL's expertise in implementing innovative solutions, positioning the company as a leader in sustainable and human-centered workspaces.

"Our return to Montoyer 10 symbolizes our bold vision for the future of the sector and our commitment to circularity by choosing a 'regenerated' building. By reinventing workspaces as catalysts for performance, we are giving ourselves the means to achieve our ambitions while setting new benchmarks for the industry. This project embodies our vision: maximizing sustainable and responsible value creation through collaborative innovation." Sebastien Giordano, Country Lead BeLux and Head of Project & Development Services

"We have created a dynamic environment where each space has a specific purpose and offers different experiences, ranging from collaborative areas to quieter spaces for focused work. By co-designing with our teams and mapping workplace journeys, we have designed a space that truly meets the needs of all our employees, as well as multiple experiences for our clients and partners. Moreover, technology is at the heart of our new layouts, with immersive screens and equipped meeting rooms to optimize hybrid meetings. These innovations underscore our vision of an innovative work environment centered on user experience." Amandine Chizelle, Head of Tétris BeLux.

You can read the press release in Dutch & in French