The Future of Quantum ​Real Estate​

• Quantum computing is advancing rapidly with commercial viability on the horizon​. Quantum computing promises to solve problems beyond the ability ​of the most powerful traditional computers. Several companies achieved significant quantum advancements in the last year. ​Many now think a commercially viable quantum computer could ​be a reality by 2030.​
• Leading quantum ecosystems across the globe share a common set of ingredients including strong academic institutions, existing quantum facilities, government support and a burgeoning private sector. Quantum investment will continue to gravitate towards these leading ecosystems.
• The future of data centers is likely hybrid,combining quantum and classical computing​. A plausible roadmap for quantum computing over the next 10 years could see the technology move from primarily being housed in research facilities, to pilot deployments in data centers, to eventually broad commercial installations in hybrid data centers.
• Real estate opportunities will multiply quickly following a quantum leap. A ​technology breakthrough that delivers widespread quantum utility will have significant real estate impacts similar to the arrival of ChatGPT and AI on the data center sector. We are currently in a period where real estate groups can develop a quantum first-mover advantage.​

Google’s quantum computer recently solved a calculation in under five minutes that would take one of today’s fastest supercomputers 10 septillion years to solve, a number that vastly exceeds the age of the universe. This example provides a glimpse into the potential of quantum computing.​

Unlike classical computing which uses bits to represent information as either a "0" or a "1", quantum computing uses "quantum bits" or "qubits" which can be "0", "1" or both at the same time. This phenomenon, known as superposition, allows a qubit to exist in multiple states simultaneously. This principle enables quantum computers to process multiple possibilities at once, performing calculations in parallel.​

As more qubits are added, the power of superposition grows exponentially, far exceeding classical computing capabilities. For example, 10 classical bits can represent 2¹⁰ (1,024) states but only one at a time, while 10 qubits can represent and simultaneously process all 1,024 states. Remarkably, 300 qubits could represent more states than there are atoms in the observable universe. ​

The power of quantum computing emerges from combining both superposition (qubits existing in multiple states simultaneously) and entanglement (qubits being linked despite physical separation). This combination enables quantum computers to perform calculations much faster, potentially solving problems that lie beyond the reach of classical computers. ​

Quantum advantage will be achieved when a quantum computer demonstrably provides a significant, practical benefit over classical computing for a specific, useful problem. This benefit can be speed, cost, accuracy, or efficiency.

Quantum computing and AI are distinct, yet complementary​ 
 

Quantum computing and AI are often misunderstood and mistakenly grouped together. AI uses classical computing to learn from large datasets, recognize patterns and simulate human intelligence. Quantum is an entirely new way of computing, leveraging the laws of quantum physics to process vast possibilities at once.​

While quantum computing and AI are distinct, they are also complementary technologies. AI can help make quantum systems more reliable, reducing errors and fine-tuning performance. At the same time, quantum computing has the potential to supercharge AI, offering new ways to train models, optimize algorithms and tackle complex problems that are beyond the reach of today’s computers. 

Significant quantum advancements were achieved in the last year; the industry now stands at an inflection point
 

Although today's quantum computers remain limited in scale and practical application, we stand at the threshold of a significant technological leap. Quantum computing is rapidly developing. Within the last year, several firms announced groundbreaking new quantum processing units (QPUs).​

While great opportunity can be seen on the horizon, for now quantum remains a nascent industry. Quantum companies generated under $750 million in revenue in 2024. But excitement in the industry is growing. Startups focused on quantum technology attracted about $2 billion in 2024. Looking farther out, some forecasts suggest quantum computing could reach $100 billion in revenue by 2035.

Quantum computing is following AI's investment path but lagging by about a decade. From early-phase funding of ~$300 million annually between 2016-2019,to current investment of $2-$3 billion annually, quantum mirrors AI’s investment levels in 2015.​

Projections suggest quantum investments could reach$10 billion annually by 2027 and $20 billion by 2030. A potential ‘quantum advantage breakthrough’ around 2030 could trigger $50 billion in investments, similar to ChatGPT's effect on AI funding.

Quantum computing is a nascent industry with significant potential but still working towards commercial viability. As such, a nurturing environment is needed to support quantum ecosystems as they mature. The leading quantum markets have all the ingredients listed below. Note that not all ingredients are equal.

Over the next several years, the majority of quantum development will be concentrated in regions with established quantum ecosystems, as opposed to prominent data center markets. Given the nascent characteristics of the quantum industry, resources such as talent and specialized research facilities are not widely available. Access to these quantum industry assets will drive site selection decisions more than the proximity to data center clusters. ​

However, as quantum technology matures, there is debate on whether development activity will remain concentrated in quantum hubs or if a larger percentage of QPUs will be deployed to data center markets. There is one viewpoint that development will remain concentrated in quantum hubs. This logic leans on the fact that quantum computing is highly specialized technology and there may be a limited number of regions that have sufficient ecosystems to operate quantum clusters at scale.

There is another viewpoint that development may gravitate towards data center markets as the technology matures. Quantum computers will likely require access to data center cloud infrastructure, and there will probably be efficiency gains by integrating AI and quantum within the same facility. There are already multiple instances of quantum computers being installed in data centers. ​

It is plausible to see a scenario where quantum usage accelerates to the point where QPUs become a common component in many data centers. In this case, likely 10 years or more in the future, we may see a larger percentage of quantum deployments directed towards data center markets where supportive infrastructure is abundant. Keep in mind that the largest cloud providers are developing quantum computers, and they may decide to place quantum operations within their existing data center assets or in close proximity.

Quantum-as-a-Service (QaaS) is a likely pathway to commercial adoption 
 

QaaS is a way for organizations to access quantum technologies via the cloud. Several companies already offer the service, although the technology is a fraction of what it will be in 5 or 10 years.​

Quantum computers are currently prohibitively expensive to build and require specialized expertise to maintain. This is why many believe that QaaS is a pathway towards quantum commercial adoption in the near term. Over time, as quantum costs decline and operational protocols are simplified, on-premise ownership will likely gain market share. ​

QaaS pricing options include subscription plans and on-demand pricing. QaaS resources include quantum computer hardware, software applications, algorithms and other quantum tools, technologies and services.​

It’s worth noting that several of the largest cloud providers are developing quantum chips, which positions them advantageously to gain market share in the QaaS industry over the long term. 

What will hybrid quantum facilities look like?
 

Qubits require highly specialized environments due to their fragility; any environmental interaction can destroy their quantum state. Quantum facilities require areas with electromagnetic shielding, cryogenic cooling and complex control systems to protect qubits from noise and decoherence.​

This adds to the challenge of combining both classical and quantum together in one facility. Hybrid quantum-classical facilities will typically maintain both classical and quantum components within the same overall facility but in separate specialized rooms or sections. ​

Germany's Leibniz Supercomputing Centre exemplifies this trend, featuring specialized quantum hardware, cooling and isolation while maintaining proximity to classical systems.

Investment is accelerating dramatically, following AI's trajectory but lagging by about a decade. If technological breakthroughs continue at their current pace, forecasts suggest that quantum investments could reach $10 billion annually by 2027 and $20 billion by 2030. ​

A technology breakthrough that delivers widespread quantum utility could have significant and rapid impacts on the real estate sector. Investment will likely concentrate in a limited number of quantum ecosystems that are scaling across the globe. Real estate groups that begin developing relationships and quantum expertise today will have a significant first-mover advantage.