The Weekly Take from CBRE

Data centers are the hottest asset class in CRE right now. Digital Realty CEO Andy Power and CBRE's Pat Lynch discuss the sector’s dynamics, including power constraints, evolving location strategies and international markets. They also offer key insights from CBRE’s hot-off-the-presses Global Data Center Trends Report 2026.AI demand fuels near-zero data center vacancy rates in some key markets.Power availability and permitting slow new data center development.Asia and Southern Europe are seeing data center expansion.Community engagement can facilitate data center growth.

Portugal has become an unexpected real estate powerhouse in Europe. Arrow Global’s John Calvao and CBRE's Francisco Horta e Costa discuss the revival of Portugal’s economy, surging investment in hospitality, logistics, data centers and student housing, the resilient Lisbon and Porto office markets and ways to address a chronic housing shortage.* Portugal's economic turnaround has fueled robust real estate opportunities.* Hospitality and logistics lead growth, attracting global capital.* Emerging sectors like data centers and student housing are seeing outsized growth.* Multifamily housing faces persistent supply challenges.* The Lisbon and Porto office markets are exhibiting strong performance.

Raleigh has long been one of the best-performing secondary markets. Its arena district is poised to be the next engine in its growth. Carolina Hurricanes CEO Brian Fork and Greater Raleigh Chamber CEO Adrienne Cole discuss how the Lenovo Center anchors a mixed-use redevelopment on state-owned land—structured through a complex public-private partnership.Public-Private Partnerships: The Lenovo Center anchors an 80-acre, 15-year, $1 billion arena-district redevelopment via a public-private/ground-lease structure.Talent, Talent, Talent: Raleigh’s three tier-one research universities and multi-node job base keep attracting talent, companies and capital.By the Numbers: Strong population growth (2.2 million to 2.6 million by 2027) plus low cost-of-living (around 3% below national average) signal opportunity for investors.Local Color: Lenovo Center preserves a tailgating culture while adding retail, restaurants, structured parking and year-round activation.

AI is reshaping the business landscape, including commercial real estate. Data scientist and author Sandy Pentland and CBRE’s Sandeep Davé discuss how the intersection of emerging technologies and human insight is driving better decision-making for investors, occupiers and building operators.Commercial Real Estate & AI: For occupiers, AI can create significant operating efficiencies and enhance the workplace experience; for investors, increased efficiency can boost asset values.People and Technology: AI is enhancing—not replacing—human decision‑making across organizations.Data Quality: Good data management is the foundation for applying AI most impactfully.Productivity: Every organization is balancing innovation and productivity gains with responsible deployment that considers privacy, governance and human‑in‑the‑loop practicesLong-term Outlook: AI is broadening visibility across markets, helping to foresee unanticipated or exogenous events and surfacing new ideas.

PwC’s Karl Russo and CBRE’s Henry Chin share their outlook for the U.S. economy and commercial real estate in 2026, exploring opportunities and risks to growth.Key Takeaways:The U.S. economy should remain resilient in 2026.While the labor market finds a new equilibrium, many companies are racing to upskill and retain talent as they adopt AI processes.Reshoring and infrastructure improvements are expected to drive industrial growth in secondary markets.Data centers are positioned as a leading sector amid structural undersupply.