The introduction of the Building Safety Act marks a watershed moment in the United Kingdom’s approach to high-rise buildings. In breaking fresh ground, the Building Safety Act imposes significant compliance obligations on developers, as well as investors eyeing up the development landscape.

Last month, I wrote about some of the people who have made major contributions to the development of the Institutional Real Estate, Inc platform since our very beginning in 1987. These included Larry Hull of Larco Advisors, who founded what is now known as the Pacific Pension & Investment Institute; Stephen Tomczak of Stephen Tomczak and Associates; and Paul Sach, one of the founders of RREEF, which continues today as part of DWS. This month, I’d like to acknowledge some more of the early contributors and supporters.

With an uncertain macroeconomic and geopolitical environment, some might assume that the outlook for the retail sector might be bleak, given its dependence on consumer spending, high labour costs and extended supply chains. In truth, the picture is far more nuanced, and there are more than a few reasons for optimism.

The office sector is regaining its central role in commercial real estate — but at a price, as fit-out costs rise, says JLL. Corporations worldwide continue to adjust their hybrid policies to favour in-office attendance, boosting prospects for the office sector. And despite economic and geopolitical uncertainties, companies are optimistic about growth — planning increases to headcount and seeking more or improved office space — according to JLL’s Global Office Fit-Out Costs Guide 2025.

A real estate debt maturity wall totalling €315 billion during the next two years is expected to open up lucrative investment opportunities for institutional investors. Using data from AEW, MSCI and Moody’s, Empira Group estimates some €130 billion of loans to reach maturity in 2025, with a further €185 billion to need refinancing by the end of 2026.

European prime residential market rents are projected to see 3.2 percent annual growth between 2025 and 2029, despite most governments having tightened rental regulations in recent years, says AEW.

A wall of overseas capital is ready to be deployed into UK industrial and logistics assets in 2025 as the sector continues to outperform the wider commercial real estate market, according to Lambert Smith Hampton.

Built by Nature and Bauhaus Earth have launched Built by Nature Germany, a network of industry leaders focused on boosting take-up of timber and biobased construction materials. The initiative is the fifth national network of its kind, with the four others being in Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Travellers are increasingly making decisions based on environmental and social concerns. Research from the World Economic Forum has found 86 percent between the ages of 25 and 34 favour eco-friendly options. This growing interest in social consciousness is also driving a desire for cultural authenticity, with 75 percent wishing to explore destinations outside their accommodation. Real estate developers should look at these demands not as threats but as opportunities, as they have been doing so in locations such as Saudi Arabia.