Once considered niche investments, real estate sectors such as student housing and logistics have come to the fore in recent years, firmly embedding themselves in the institutional real estate landscape. In changing market conditions, these assets promise steady income streams and resilient demand, proving to be more attractive than offices and retail.

Could similar transitions occur for other alternatives, such as self-storage, data centres, and co-living? Or are these markets still too niche, with liquidity pools too shallow to support widespread institutional adoption? As portfolios evolve in response to global economic shifts, demographic changes, and technological advancements, investors are being forced to rethink their asset allocations and reassess which sectors hold the potential to deliver long-term returns.

Charles Allen, head of European real estate at Fiera Real Estate, highlights the growing appeal of alternative real estate. “Institutional investors ar