The Weekly Take from CBRE

Easterly Government Properties’ Darrell Crate and CBRE’s Marcy Owens Test explain the unique complexities and opportunities when leasing space to the U.S. government. They explore government agencies’ specialized build-out requirements, the market impacts of the federal government’s shift from ownership to strategic leasing, and other topics of interest to commercial real estate investors.

• The federal government occupies more than 2 billion sq. ft. of real estate.
• For investors, government leases can offer long-term stability and strong tenant credit.
• The shift from government ownership to leasing is creating more opportunities for investors.
• Mission-critical facilities often require specialized and costly buildouts.

Verizon's Nicole Nicholson and CBRE's Jamie Hodari discuss how real estate, technology and human connection are strengthening business outcomes and creating competitive advantage in an AI-powered world. Learn from seasoned executives responsible for managing large, complex real estate portfolios.

• Corporate real estate is evolving from a cost center into a strategic tool that supports culture, talent attraction and business performance.​
• Managing complex portfolios means aligning people in different workplaces, retail locations, technical facilities and infrastructure with broader business objectives.​
• Leading at scale requires communicating authentically and adapting your approach to meet the needs of disparate employee populations.​
• Spontaneous workplace moments, from coffee to casual meal conversations, help draw people back to the office.​
• As AI reshapes business, elements of human judgment, connection and community remain central to real estate strategy.

Verizon's Nicole Nicholson and CBRE's Jamie Hodari discuss how real estate, technology and human connection are strengthening business outcomes and creating competitive advantage in an AI-powered world. Learn from seasoned executives responsible for managing large, complex real estate portfolios.

Corporate real estate is evolving from a cost center into a strategic tool that supports culture, talent attraction and business performance.​
Managing complex portfolios means aligning people in different workplaces, retail locations, technical facilities and infrastructure with broader business objectives.​
Leading at scale requires communicating authentically and adapting your approach to meet the needs of disparate employee populations.​
Spontaneous workplace moments, from coffee to casual meal conversations, help draw people back to the office.​
As AI reshapes business, elements of human judgment, connection and community remain central to real estate strategy.​
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Ken Rosen has been an astute analyst of the real estate world for 50 years. The highly regarded economist, consultant and educator explains why today’s higher interest rates could force investors back to the fundamentals. He also provides a framework for strategic investment and operational excellence in a rapidly evolving landscape.

· Higher interest rates mean returns must come from real estate fundamentals, including better asset selection, leasing, operations and placemaking.
· Rosen notes that capital is a short-term asset, while real estate rewards long-term value creation.
· Deep repricing, constrained supply and renewed demand can turn challenged markets like San Francisco into compelling opportunities.
· Office-to-residential conversions may become a bigger opportunity as cities look for ways to address housing shortages.
· Better data can improve decision-making, but it can’t replace human judgment, common sense and a real, experience-driven understanding of market conditions.

Shallow-bay industrial real estate is having a moment. Investor Jordan Schnitzer explains how his family firm was early to recognize the opportunity in this specialized corner of the market. He discusses how building deep knowledge of an asset class and local markets and operating with a long-term mindset have helped Schnitzer Properties grow a differentiated industrial platform.

Demand for shallow-bay industrial space has increased as more small and mid-sized businesses need flexible facilities to store, distribute and deliver goods.
Schnitzer Properties leaned into shallow-bay industrial early because it rewards hands-on operators with local market knowledge, tenant relationships and disciplined execution.
The company’s long-term ownership model supports upfront investment in property quality, landscaping and “sense of arrival,” with the aim of retaining tenants and protecting asset performance.
With cap-rate compression unlikely to drive returns, Schnitzer argues that operational expertise and niche specialization are becoming more essential.