Knowledge Hub

Over the course of 2024, CBRE has been tracking the emergence of a curious phenomenon across the Asia Pacific retail property market.

Despite slower retail sales growth, subdued consumer confidence, and a raft of negative headlines about certain retailers’ weaker-than-expected performance, retailers across a range of categories continue to aggressively seek expansion opportunities; a trend that is pulling down prime vacancy and driving up rents.

This Viewpoint explains the factors driving this trend and provides recommendations to retail landlords and occupiers seeking to chart a course through what is an increasingly complex marketplace.

In the first half of 2024, Asia Pacific’s data center markets reached nearly 12GW in operational capacity, adding 1.3GW of new supply, marking the largest recent increase. Demand matched this growth, signaling healthy market conditions. The region has 4.2GW under construction and 12.0GW in planning, a 2.8GW rise since the end of 2023. The top six markets—Chinese Mainland (4.2GW), Japan (1.4GW), India (1.4GW), Australia (1.2GW), Singapore (0.98GW), and South Korea (0.65GW)—account for 85% of the total capacity. Malaysia (Johor) led in growth with an 80% rise, followed by India at 28%. Both nations also show strong development pipelines. Japan, India, and Australia are seeing increased investment from cloud service providers and colocation players, with their overall capacities projected to reach 4GW or more. Chinese Mainland leads with 6.5GW, while South Korea’s growth remains modest due to regulatory changes. Across the region, policies focus on energy efficiency, innovative technologies, and carbon footprint reduction to support ongoing expansion.

As we navigate the dynamic landscape of India’s commercial real estate market, it is evident that the industry has shown remarkable resilience and growth, even in the wake of global economic challenges. The impressive GDP growth projections for FY 2025 and beyond underscore India’s position as the fastest-growing major economy. This economic vitality is a catalyst for the office space market, driving occupier activity and creating a buoyant environment for growth.

The commercial real estate industry stands at a pivotal juncture, with unique opportunities to realign and reinvent workspaces. Occupiers are now looking beyond basic amenities to focus on employee well-being, and flexible office space operators are well-positioned to meet these evolving demands. The industry’s ability to provide customized, flexible office solutions is increasingly favoured by not just freelancers and startups, but also by medium and large enterprises.

The growth and resilience of India’s office space market is evident from the sustained increase in transactions and the rising share of flex spaces. Flex space operators are expanding in Tier 1 cities and venturing into Tier 2 cities, reflecting the diverse and growing market needs of the occupier landscape.

The industry’s evolution from coworking spaces to managed offices reflects its ability to adapt and thrive in changing business environments. Furthermore, the integration of ESG principles and emerging technologies into operations underscores its commitment to sustainability and operational efficiency. These initiatives not only enhance user experience but also align with the strategic priorities of modern businesses.

Flex space operators are not only ready for the future but are actively shaping it. Investments in technology, ESG initiatives, and flexible offerings position them to meet the demands of today’s discerning occupiers. With India’s robust economic growth and the industry’s innovative approach, the future looks promising.

From ‘Wait and See’ to ‘See the Money’

The real estate sector stands on the edge of a generative AI revolution – one that could unlock up to US$180 billion annually, according to McKinsey. Yet, many are still stuck in the ‘wait and see’ mindset. What’s holding them back? Yardi’s Bernie Devine puts it bluntly: “When it comes to GenAI, it’s time to shrug off the hesitation and start seeing the money.”

Many real estate companies use analytical artificial intelligence to evaluate trends, assess performance, optimise portfolios, manage risks and much more. But generative AI (GenAI) “helps real estate companies to make the leap from predictive to proactive intelligence,” says Bernie, Yardi’s Senior Regional Director for Asia Pacific.

“GenAI doesn’t just analyse the world; it actively shapes it by redefining how we think about problem-solving and creativity,” Bernie says.

What’s stopping real estate companies from adopting the technology at speed and scale? “The same old roadblocks” – concerns about upfront investment costs, uncertainties about existing system integration, knowledge and skills gaps, employee resistance to change, and demand for specialised expertise among them. “Throw in privacy and security concerns, and many real estate companies are taking a ‘wait and see’ approach.”

But the potential productivity uplifts are too big to ignore. Goldman Sachs suggests widespread adoption of GenAI could boost global gross domestic product by 1.3% annually, through labour productivity benefits that free up human resources for higher-value tasks. In developed markets, a 1.5% growth in GDP is within reach.

Given this potential, the question is clear: What should real estate asset managers prioritise next to leverage the transformative power of GenAI? Yardi’s latest whitepaper, Asset Management in the Generative Age, offers some insights.

“GenAI doesn’t just analyse data. It demands decisions, and this influx of choices can lead to decision overload,” Bernie says. Adopting GenAI quickly, therefore, requires a strategic approach. “Start with clean data and robust foundational systems and processes to enhance transparency and trust. Get the data platform and governance right and the benefits will begin to follow.”

While GenAI is a powerful tool, it’s not the only solution. For GenAI to live up to its potential and generate real business value, it must be firmly rooted in trusted enterprise data.

“Sometimes the most effective solution to a problem lies in process change – streamlining workflows, optimising operational procedures or implementing new management practices.

“At other times, the answer might be to bolster education and training, improve communication channels or revisit strategic goals. Whatever the problem, it is better solved in partnership.”