Newsline

Rising tariffs, elevated construction costs and slowing development activity are reshaping the multifamily landscape at a critical moment for housing supply. In an exclusive interview with IREI, Ryan Brome, COO at Forum Investment Group, examines how developers and investors are adjusting underwriting, managing risk, and positioning portfolios amid cost uncertainty, capital constraints, and persistent rental demand.

Cohen & Steers has announced the appointment of Diana Shieh as COO and head of asset management for Cohen & Steers’ private real estate group.

The U.S. industrial real estate market closed 2025 with strengthening fundamentals and improving momentum heading into 2026, according to Cushman & Wakefield. Stable vacancy, sustained leasing activity, moderating new supply, and a meaningful uptick in second-half absorption all point to a market transitioning toward healthier, more balanced growth.

Jonathan Rose Cos has appointed Brandon Kearse as president, managing partner and CIO.

Europe’s corporate distress picture appeared to stabilize on the surface in fourth quarter 2025, but the latest Weil European Distress Index (WEDI) points to a materially more fragile outlook moving into 2026. Liquidity and profitability pressures remain acute and distress is becoming increasingly uneven across sectors and countries. As a result, corporate distress is expected to rise through 2026, reflecting weaker investment conditions, elevated borrowing costs and continued uncertainty around trade policy and geopolitical risk. This is likely to drive a widening divergence, with pressure intensifying in more exposed sectors and countries while others remain comparatively resilient.

Henderson Park and Student Quarters have acquired The Thompson, a 528-bed, 132-unit garden style student housing community located in San Marcos, Texas, serving Texas State University. 

Global investor confidence in real estate has strengthened significantly heading into 2026, reaching its highest level since 2019, according to the 2026 Investment Intentions Survey, published today by INREV, ANREV and PREA.

Hoteles Globales, a Mallorca-based hotel chain with more than 50 properties worldwide and a strong presence in Spain, has acquired a portfolio of three hotels on the Mediterranean island of Mallorca from an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management. 

After a turbulent period, real estate has absorbed a significant amount of pain. PIMCO believes 2026 will be defined by structural uncertainty and a return to fundamentals. Predicting interest rates remains complex, so underwriting will need to prioritize income quality over speculative cap rate compression.

David Levinson of L&L Holding Co. and Marty Burger of Infinite Global Real Estate Partners announced the launch of L&L Infinite.

Alterra IOS has closed a $100 million fund-level revolving credit facility from BMO.

George Nausha has joined PXV Multifamily (PXV) as managing director, acquisitions, as the real estate investment firm launched in November by Matt Ferrari begins assembling its national multifamily acquisitions and operations team.

Today’s real estate investors expect more than financial returns — they want transparency, strong performance, and meaningful communication. As investor priorities evolve around risk, asset allocation, and technology, investment managers must adapt to maintain trust and drive growth. To better understand these shifts, AppFolio surveyed 200 U.S.-based investors and property owners.

American Beacon Partners has formed a new strategic partnership with Pender Capital Management.

Strong demand for senior housing amidst limited new inventory is boosting occupancy rates and underscoring the need for sustained investment in new development, according to the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC) using newly released data from NIC MAP.

Barings has provided a forward permanent loan commitment of up to $133.4 million for the development of 22 Fulton.

The global economy held up better than expected in 2025, and many of the same pressures will carry into 2026. Commercial real estate is starting to recover, though pockets of stress remain, according to Principal Asset Management in its 2026 U.S. Inside Real Estate Sector report. Going forward, returns should be driven more by rental income and picking the right markets and assets, with investors also diversifying more globally.

Ardian Real Estate has made its first U.S. real estate investment with the acquisition of 715–717 Fifth Avenue in New York City, marking the company’s entry into the U.S. luxury market. Announced in December 2025, the deal represents the second joint venture between Ardian and luxury group Kering.

Open Industrial and Heitman have formed a new partnership to recapitalize a 25-property, 105-acre industrial outdoor storage (IOS) portfolio.

Corporate AI investment is growing significantly and will not pull back, with companies planning to double their spending on the technology in 2026, accounting for about 1.7 percent of revenues, more than twice the increase for 2025.